Important
For 24 hours after leaving hospital, do not rinse your mouth or take any hot drinks.
If we give you a course of antibiotics after your operation, take the full course.
Mouth care after your operation
Do the following after your operation.
- For the next 8 days, rinse your mouth gently after every meal and last thing at night. Use a warm salt water solution.
- Clean your teeth carefully by brushing them after every meal.
- Do not poke the wound site with your tongue.
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Using a salt water solution
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If your mouth starts to bleed
Patients often experience some oozing of blood after tooth extractions. You may notice blood on your pillow for a few days after your operation.
If the wound site keeps bleeding, do the following.
- Roll up a clean handkerchief and put it onto the wound.
- Bite firmly for 20 minutes. For most patients this allows a blood clot to form and stop the bleeding.
- Repeat the process for another 20 minutes if necessary.
If bleeding continues, see 'When to seek medical help' and 'Contacts' below.
Pain relief
Patients often experience a sore nose or throat after a general anaesthetic. This should resolve within a few hours.
You may experience swelling and bruising. This can take up to 7 days to resolve. Applying a cold compress to the area may help.
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Using a cold compress Wrap a bag of frozen peas or crushed ice in a damp towel or cloth and apply it to the affected area for 10 to 5 minutes at a time. Always place a cloth between the cold pack and your skin to prevent ice burns. |
For pain in your mouth, take over-the-counter painkillers as needed (for example, paracetamol or ibuprofen). Follow the instructions on the packet. Do not take more than the recommended dose over a 24 hour period.
Pain is often worse on the 2nd or 3rd day after your procedure. For most patients, it gradually improves over 7 to 10 days.
If you experience a sudden increase in pain after a few days, or if the pain is unbearable, see 'When to seek medical help' and 'Contacts' below.
Important information
We advise you not to drive yourself to your appointment.
Arrange for someone to accompany you home and stay with you overnight.
For 24 hours after your operation, do not:
- drive
- drink alcohol
- operate machinery (including a cooker)
- supervise children on your own
- sign legal documents.
Children should not return to school or play unsupervised for 24 hours after having anaesthetic.
Eating and drinking
If we used a local anaesthetic, this will numb your mouth. The numbness will wear off after about 2 hours.
Try not to eat until the anaesthetic has worn off. Be careful not to suck, pinch, burn or bite the affected area.
- Your mouth might not open fully for about 7 days after the operation. This is due to swelling around the operation site.
- Start by eating semi-solid food. Gradually start eating your usual foods, at a pace that feels comfortable to you.
- For at least 24 hours, avoid smoking and drinking alcohol as this can cause bleeding.
When to seek medical help
If bleeding continues, or you experience increased swelling or pain, go to the Emergency Department (A&E) at St George's Hospital, Tooting. (See Contacts below).
Follow-up
We may schedule a follow-up appointment in the Outpatients Clinic of the Kingston Hospital Princess Alexandra Dental Wing.
If we used stitches during your operation, they will dissolve after 2 to 3 weeks.
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
A&E, St George's, Tooting: 020 8672 1255