Instructions After Minor Oral Surgery

This information is to help you understand what might happen after your treatment and how to lower the chance of any issues. It also explains when you should reach out to us for more help or advice.

Please remember

• Take painkillers regularly to stay comfortable.
• Be careful when eating or drinking anything hot while your mouth is still numb.
• The day after treatment, gently rinse your mouth.
• If bleeding occurs, press a clean piece of gauze onto the area.
• Don’t smoke or vape for at least two days after your treatment.

Pain

• You shouldn’t feel pain right after the treatment because the area is numbed with local anaesthetic. The numbness usually lasts up to 4 hours. During that time, be careful not to bite your lip or tongue.
• Pain usually gets worse around the second or third day and then slowly improves over 7–10 days.
• Over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can help. Always follow the directions on the package and only take these medicines if it is safe to do so.
• Don’t take ibuprofen if you have asthma, acid reflux, or if you’re taking aspirin. Ask your pharmacist or dentist if you’re not sure what’s safe for you.
• If the pain suddenly gets worse or becomes hard to handle, contact our clinic (contact details are at the end).

Important: Try not to smoke or vape for as long as possible (at least two days after treatment). Doing so increases your risk of slow healing, pain, and infection.

Swelling

• Swelling is normal after a tooth is taken out or if you had mouth surgery.
• Swelling usually peaks 2–3 days after the procedure and should go away within 7–10 days.
• You might also get bruising on your face, which can take up to two weeks to fade.

Bleeding

• You should have little or no bleeding when you leave the clinic.
• You may notice blood in your spit for the first 1–2 days. This is normal and can be swallowed.
• Don’t rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours. This helps the blood clot stay in place and aids healing.
• Try not to touch the area with your tongue.
• Don’t do any heavy exercise on the day of your treatment, as it may cause bleeding.
• If the bleeding won’t stop, roll up a clean piece of gauze or cloth, place it over the area, and bite down for at least 20 minutes. This usually helps form a new clot. If it doesn’t stop, call us.

Oral Hygiene

• The day after treatment, rinse your mouth with warm salt water. Use the hottest water you can handle and mix in a spoonful of salt. Hold the rinse in your mouth for a minute before spitting it out.
• Do this four times a day, especially after meals, to help healing.
• Gently brush your teeth if you can. You can soften the bristles by running your toothbrush under warm water.

Diet

• Your jaw might feel stiff for about a week due to swelling.
• You should be able to eat soft foods.
• Slowly return to your regular eating habits when you feel ready.
• Don’t drink alcohol for at least 24 hours after your procedure.

Stitches

• If you have stitches, they are usually the dissolving kind and will fall out on their own within 7–10 days.
• Your surgeon will let you know if any stitches need to be removed.

Bone in the socket

• Sometimes small bits of bone may come out of the area where the tooth was taken out. This can happen weeks later and may cause soreness in the gums.
• If you are worried about this, please contact us during working hours.

Time off work

• How much time you need off depends on what you had done and the type of work you do.
• If the procedure was simple and you’re generally healthy, you might be able to go back to work the next day.
• Your surgeon will give you advice, but it’s up to you to decide when you feel ready to get back to your usual routine.