Advice after extractions
- AVOID cycling or excessive exercise for several hours. Ideally, rest by sitting in a chair and use an extra pillow for the first night.
- DO NOT drink anything ALCOHOLIC OR SMOKE for 24 hours.
- You are allowed to take two pain-killing tablets (paracetamol etc.) after the extraction, and every 4 to 6 hours as necessary.
- After six hours rinse gently with warm/hot salty water (level spoon of salt in a cup of water) and continue after meals and before bed for several days.
- You may feel the sharp edge of a socket with your tongue and occasionally small fragments of bone may work their way out.
If excessive bleeding occurs…
- Carry out the instructions above, making certain to avoid severe rinsing which will prevent blood clotting in the socket.
- Use some clean linen or gauze about 1” (2.5cm) wide to make a roll 1” thick thus forming a firm pad, or use a clean handkerchief. Make a few such pads, if necessary.
- Keep sitting up and clear the mouth of loose blood clots with a clean linen square or tissue so that you can find where the socket is bleeding. This is important.
- Place the pad across the bleeding socket from the tongue side to the cheek side. If the socket is between two standing teeth constrict the pad to fit the space.
- Bite firmly to compress the pad on the bleeding socket for 10-15 minutes. Do not lie down.
- Inspect the socket and replace the pad, or use another one, if bleeding still appears from the socket.
- If your efforts are unsuccessful
after an hour or two, contact your dentist.