Extraction

I’ve had a tooth extraction, what should I do now?

Rest and keep your head up to avoid any bleeding. Consume only lukewarm food and drink and avoid chewing in the area of your extraction.

What should I avoid?

Hot food or drinks until the anaesthetics wear off. Be careful not to chew your cheek. Keep your head higher for the first night when you sleep, using a pillow, just in case you have a small bleed.

Should I rinse my mouth out?

Avoid rinsing your mouth or drinking alcohol for the first 24 hours so the socket can heal. Take care to not damage the blood clot by eating on that side or letting your tongue disturb it, otherwise infection can get in and delay your healing.

When can I brush my teeth?

Brush as normal; just take care around the extraction site.

What if it bleeds?

Apply pressure directly over the socket and bite on a folded piece of cotton material for about 15 minutes. Don’t be too alarmed as there may be some slight bleeding for the first day or so. However, if the bleeding hasn't stopped after an hour or two, contact your dentist in Highworth, Wiltshire.

What can I do to help the healing process?

To assist a relatively pain free recovery, keep your mouth and the extraction site as clean as possible making sure you clear the socket of food and debris. Don't rinse for the first 24 hours, then use a salt water mouth wash twice a day for up to a week. A healthy diet and Vitamin C will help your mouth to heal. When you follow our simple dental advice your healing process should be quite painless.

What can I take to relieve the pain?

With minor tenderness for the first few days simply take your normal pain relief. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not take aspirin as this will make your mouth bleed. Asthma sufferers should avoid ibuprofen based pain relief. If in doubt, check with your doctor.

Are you a nervous patient who is still suffering three days later? Infection can get into your socket where there is little or no blood clot in the tooth socket and the bony socket walls are exposed and become infected. Called a dry socket this can cause more pain than before your extraction. See your dentist in Swindon who will put a dressing in the socket and prescribe a course of antibiotics to relieve the infection.

Do I need a follow up appointment?

Only in the case of a difficult extraction which may involve the removal of stitches or to check your socket is healing well.

 

"Although a nervous patient, my dentist put me at ease and made the process much easier to cope with."

J King