Care Following Extractions

Try and take it easy for the rest of the day. If you’re going back to work, then try not to overdo it.

Your extraction site is likely to ooze a little throughout the day so we have given you some gauze to take with you. Roll some gauze into a ball or square and bite hard on it for 5 minutes or so, until the bleeding stops. A clean handkerchief will do the same. Avoid using a tissue or cotton wool.

You may prefer to take an over the counter pain tablet such as Panadol, Panadeine or Nurofen as the anaesthetic is wearing off.

Avoid anything too hot to eat or drink. If you have a cup of tea or coffee, let it cool right down beforehand. Usually at the temperature you would have normally thrown it out is a good indication of how “warm” you can have it.

Tomorrow and for the next few days

Keep the socket clean by rinsing / swishing with warm salty mouth rinses (1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water). Do it a few times a day. Do not swish on the day of extraction as you can wash the clot out and it can make for a slow healing socket.

When you go to bed, prop yourself up on a couple of pillows and place an old towel over them in case the socket oozes through the night.

Avoid or severely limit smoking for at least 24 hours after an extraction.