Important information

Do not drive yourself to your appointment. Arrange for someone to take you home and stay with you overnight.

If we give you a general anaesthetic, for the first 24 hours after your operation, do not drive, operate machinery (including a cooker), sign legal documents or return to work.

Mouth care after your operation

For the first 24 hours after leaving hospital, do not rinse your mouth, brush your teeth or have hot drinks/food. 

This is to make sure that your blood clots well, and your wound heals properly.

We may prescribe a course of antibiotics for you. Make sure you take the full course of tablets.

After 24 hours, do the following.

  • Make a salt water solution by mixing one teaspoon of salt with a glass of warm (comfortable to touch) water. Use it to rinse your mouth gently for several minutes:
    • after every meal
    • last thing at night.
  • Brush your teeth carefully after every meal.

Follow these instructions for the first 7 days after your operation.

Recovery at home

  • You are likely to notice your mouth oozing a small amount of blood after an extraction. You may notice this on your pillow for a few days afterwards. (You may prefer to cover your pillow with a towel during this time).
  • If we used a general anaesthetic, you may experience a sore nose or throat. This is normal and it should disappear after a few hours.
  • If we used stitches, these will dissolve in 2 to 3 weeks.

Pain relief

Most patients experience the most pain on days 2 and 3 after the operation. This pain usually goes away after 7 to 10 days.

To relieve pain, take the first dose of your usual over-the-counter painkiller 1 hour after your operation. Continue this as needed. Always follow the instructions on the packet.

Swelling

Swelling and bruising can continue for up to 1 week, and your mouth may not open fully. This is temporary.

To help the swelling you can try the following:

  • put ice packs on your outside facial skin
  • sleep with an extra pillow to keep yourself more upright.

Bleeding

If your wound site keeps bleeding, do the following.

  • Roll up a damp, clean flannel or cloth handkerchief and put it onto the wound.
  • Bite firmly for 20 minutes, while sitting. 
  • Repeat the process three times.

When to seek urgent medical help

Get in touch with Kingston Hospital or St George's Hospital (see Contacts below) If you experience any of the following:

  • a sudden increase in pain after a few days
  • unmanageable pain
  • swelling that suddenly becomes worse
  • bleeding that does not stop, even after you have followed the 'Bleeding' guidance.

Eating and drinking

If we used a local anaesthetic, this will numb your mouth. The numbness will wear off after 2 to 3 hours. 

Try not to eat until the anaesthetic has worn off. Be careful not to suck, pinch, burn or bite the affected area.

  • Stick to lukewarm food and drink for the first 24 hours (avoid hot food and drink).
  • Start by eating soft food.
  • Do not use straws to drink. (Using a straw can create suction in your mouth which may dislodge the healing blood clot).
  • Gradually start eating your usual foods, at a pace that feels comfortable to you.
  • For at least 48 hours, avoid drinking alcohol as this can cause bleeding.
  • Do not smoke for at least 48 hours (and longer if possible).

Follow-up

Most patients do not need a follow-up appointment, but we will arrange one if it is requested by your surgeon.

Contact information

Contact the Day Surgery Unit Advice Line, Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm, for help after discharge home

 

For urgent help during working hours, contact the Kingston Hospital Princess Alexandra Wing, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

 

Outside these hours, call 111 or go to the Emergency Department (A&E) at St George's Hospital, Tooting (Blackshaw Rd, SW17 0QT)

Telephone:

Kingston Hospital Day Surgery Advice Line: 020 8541 5370

 

Kingston Hospital Princess Alexandra Wing: 020 8934 6405

 

 

 

A&E, St George's, Tooting: 020 8672 1255