• exam
  • registered dental nurse
  • ns5
  • nurse
  • site newton stewart
  • aparelho-dental-1569091
  • broken-tooth-radiography-1558768
  • toothpaste-4-1058695

    How to manage your healing after tooth extraction

    It is important that you look after yourself following a tooth extraction.

    Following the advice below will help to reduce the incidence of post operative problems.

    Do not rinse for 48 Hours
    Rinsing can wash away blood clots and lead to futher bleeding and delayed healing. Eat or drink only once the anesthetic has completely worn off - which normally takes 2 to 3 hours. Whilst the area remains anaesthetised there is a risk of biting lips and disturbing the site if eating is undertaken. Start with soft foods and work round to firmer or spicy food.

    Pain control
    It is sometimes a good idea to take painkillers like Ibuprofen (Nurofen, Cuprofen) or paracetomol (Panadol, Solpadeine) before the anaesthetic wears off as they can work better at preventing soreness rather than relieving it. Avoid Aspirin based painkillers and check your suitability for any drugs. An ice pack placed over the area will help reduce pain and future swelling.

    Avoid smoking
    Smoking increases the risk of subsequent infection and delays healing.

    Avoid alcohol and strenuous exercise

    Both can lead to bleeding and delayed healing.

    Bleeding
    A degree of blood oozing will occur from the site for the first 24 hours. If fresh bleeding occurs, you should apply pressure to the site with a pack. This is achieved by placing a rolled up hankie, cotton wool or linen directly over the site and biting hard. Pressure should be applied for 10-15 minutes which should stop bleeding. This pack should be disposed of safely.

    Mouthwash on the following day (24 Hours later)
    Rinse out with warm salt water mouthwash. To prepare this take a tablespoon of salt and place into a cup of luke warm water, sip and gently bathe the site, spitting out and repeaing until the water is finished. This should be preformed after every meal, or if soreness occurs, until healing is complete. Healing is quicker the cleaner the site. We recommend Corsodyl mouthwash as an effective alternative to the salt water- you can obtain this from the practice. It is readyto be used and has been shown to be effective in reducing  the incidence of post operative infections. The other teeth can be cleaned as normal.

    Increasing pain
    If increasing pain increases after 2-3 days this could mean an infection of the healing site called a "a dry socket", indicating a need to return to the practice for futher treatment. In these circumstances please call the receptionist.

    Recovery
    Full recovery should take about two weeks.

    Main points after Extractions :

    -Do not rinse for 24 hours.
    -Avoid smoking.
    -Avoid alcohol.
    -Avoid strenuous exercise.
    -Take painkillers before the anaesthetic wears off.
    -Ibuprofen is recommended for post extraction pain.
    -Place a pack over extraction site for 10-15 minutes to stop bleeding.
    -An ice pack over the area reduces pain and swelling.
    -Mouthwash with warm salt water after 24 hours.
    -Healing is quicker cleaner the sie.
    -Return to the practice if pain increases after 2-3 days.