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  "id": "oral-surgery-and-tooth-extraction-aftercare-at-smile-solutions",
  "title": "Oral Surgery and Tooth Extraction Aftercare at Smile Solutions",
  "slug": "oral-surgery-and-tooth-extraction-aftercare-at-smile-solutions",
  "description": "# Oral Surgery and Tooth Extraction Aftercare at Smile Solutions\n\nWhether you have just had a simple tooth extraction or a more complex oral surgery procedure such as wisdom tooth removal, dental impl...",
  "category": "",
  "content": "# Oral Surgery and Tooth Extraction Aftercare at Smile Solutions\n\nWhether you have just had a simple tooth extraction or a more complex oral surgery procedure such as wisdom tooth removal, dental implant surgery or a biopsy, the care you take in the hours and days afterwards significantly influences how quickly and comfortably you recover.\n\nThis guide combines aftercare advice for both routine tooth extractions and more complex oral surgery procedures. Your treating dentist or surgeon will provide personalised instructions at your appointment, and those specific instructions should always take precedence over general guidance.\n\nIf at any time you are concerned about your recovery, call Smile Solutions on **13 13 96**.\n\n---\n\n## Immediately After the Procedure\n\n### Gauze and Bleeding Control\n\nAfter your extraction or surgery, gauze will be placed over the surgical site. Bite down firmly on the gauze and maintain steady, consistent pressure for at least 30-45 minutes. Do not chew the gauze or frequently check the wound, as this disrupts clot formation.\n\nSome oozing of blood mixed with saliva is completely normal for up to 24 hours. The saliva makes bleeding appear heavier than it actually is.\n\n**If significant bleeding continues beyond 45 minutes:**\n- Replace the gauze with a fresh folded piece and bite firmly for another 30-45 minutes\n- Alternatively, bite on a moistened tea bag (the tannic acid helps promote clotting)\n- Sit upright; do not lie flat\n- Apply a cold pack to the outside of your face in the area of the socket\n\nContact Smile Solutions if bleeding cannot be controlled.\n\n### Numbness\n\nThe local anaesthetic used during your procedure will typically keep the area numb for two to four hours after treatment, sometimes longer depending on the type and quantity of anaesthetic used. During this period:\n\n- Be careful not to bite your cheek, lip or tongue, as you will not feel normal tissue sensation\n- Avoid very hot food and drinks until the numbness has completely resolved\n- Supervise children carefully; they may inadvertently cause injury to numb tissue\n\n### Ice Packs\n\nApply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a cloth) to the side of your face for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off during the first 24 hours. Cold therapy is most effective in the first 24 hours and helps minimise initial swelling. After 48 hours, warm packs may be more comfortable and beneficial.\n\n---\n\n## Swelling\n\nSome degree of swelling after oral surgery is normal and expected. Swelling typically:\n\n- Begins to become noticeable several hours after the procedure\n- Peaks between 48 and 72 hours after surgery\n- Gradually subsides over the following three to five days\n\nSwelling may extend to the cheek, jaw and neck, and can sometimes involve the area around the eye for procedures in the upper jaw. This is normal. Bruising often accompanies swelling and may track down the neck; this is also normal and resolves on its own.\n\nTo minimise swelling, keep your head elevated, especially when sleeping, for the first two to three nights. An extra pillow or two helps. Avoid bending over or vigorous physical activity, which increases blood flow to the head and can worsen swelling.\n\n---\n\n## Pain Management\n\nPain after extraction or oral surgery is normally manageable with over-the-counter pain relief:\n\n**Ibuprofen (400-600mg every 6-8 hours with food)**\nIbuprofen is an anti-inflammatory and is generally the most effective agent for post-surgical dental pain. Take with food to protect the stomach. Do not take if you have a history of stomach ulcers, kidney problems or are allergic to NSAIDs.\n\n**Paracetamol (500-1000mg every 4-6 hours)**\nParacetamol can be taken in addition to ibuprofen for stronger combined pain relief. These two medications work through different mechanisms and can safely be alternated or combined within the recommended dosage limits.\n\n**Do not take aspirin** for post-surgical pain as it has blood-thinning properties that can increase bleeding.\n\nFor more complex surgical procedures, your surgeon may prescribe a stronger pain reliever. Take prescribed medication as directed and complete any antibiotic course in full.\n\nPain should gradually decrease from day two or three onwards. If pain is increasing rather than decreasing after day three, this may indicate a complication (see Dry Socket below) and you should contact Smile Solutions.\n\n---\n\n## Nausea\n\nNausea after oral surgery is common and may result from the local anaesthetic, swallowed blood, pain medication (particularly opioids if prescribed), or anxiety. If you feel nauseous:\n\n- Eat a light, bland meal before taking pain medication\n- Sip flat ginger ale or cold water\n- Rest quietly and avoid sudden movements\n- If nausea persists or you vomit repeatedly, contact your surgeon as dehydration can delay recovery\n\n---\n\n## Oral Hygiene After Surgery\n\nMaintaining good oral hygiene is important for healing, but the surgical site itself must be treated gently.\n\n**Day of Surgery:**\n- Do not rinse, spit or use a straw for the first 24 hours. The suction created by spitting or straw use can dislodge the blood clot that is forming in the socket, leading to dry socket (see below).\n- Gently brush other teeth, avoiding the surgical site\n- No mouthwash on the day of surgery\n\n**Day 2 Onwards:**\n- Rinse gently with warm salt water (half teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water) two to three times daily, particularly after meals\n- Continue brushing other teeth normally\n- Chlorhexidine mouthwash may be recommended by your surgeon if infection risk is a concern\n\n**Day 3-7:**\n- Gentle rinsing and continued brushing\n- The site will begin to granulate and close over; do not probe the area with your tongue or fingers\n\n---\n\n## Diet and Eating\n\n**Day of Surgery and Day 1:**\n- Soft foods only: yoghurt, scrambled eggs, mashed potato, soup (not piping hot), ice cream, smoothies\n- Allow food to cool before eating; hot food increases bleeding\n- Eat on the opposite side of the mouth to the surgical site\n- Maintain hydration; avoid alcohol and carbonated drinks\n- Do not use a straw\n\n**Days 2-3:**\n- Gradually reintroduce slightly firmer soft foods as comfort allows\n- Continue avoiding the surgical site when chewing\n- Good nutrition supports healing; prioritise protein-rich foods\n\n**Week 1-2:**\n- Avoid hard, crunchy, or sharp foods (chips, nuts, hard bread crusts) that could irritate or disturb the healing site\n- Avoid very spicy or acidic foods\n- Avoid alcohol for at least five days, or for the duration of any antibiotic prescription\n\n---\n\n## Stitches\n\nIf sutures were placed during your procedure, your surgeon will advise you whether they are dissolvable or require removal.\n\n**Dissolvable (resorbable) sutures** are designed to break down on their own, typically over 7-14 days. They do not need to be removed. Small pieces of suture may be visible in the mouth as they dissolve; this is normal.\n\n**Non-dissolvable sutures** require a follow-up appointment for removal, usually 7-10 days after surgery. Do not attempt to remove them yourself.\n\nIf sutures come out before expected, contact Smile Solutions to assess whether any follow-up is needed.\n\n---\n\n## Signs of Infection\n\nSome inflammation and discomfort is normal after surgery, but certain signs suggest infection and warrant prompt attention:\n\n- Increasing pain after day three (rather than improving)\n- Spreading swelling that does not begin to reduce after 72 hours\n- Fever above 38 degrees Celsius\n- Pus or discharge from the surgical site\n- Increasing rather than decreasing swelling or redness\n- Unpleasant taste or odour from the wound\n- Difficulty swallowing or opening the mouth (trismus)\n\nCall Smile Solutions on **13 13 96** promptly if you experience any of these symptoms.\n\n**Seek emergency care immediately** if you experience difficulty breathing or swallowing, or rapidly spreading swelling to the neck or throat.\n\n---\n\n## Dry Socket (Alveolar Osteitis)\n\nDry socket is the most common complication of tooth extraction, occurring when the blood clot that normally forms in the empty socket is dislodged or fails to form, leaving the underlying bone exposed.\n\n**Symptoms:**\n- Severe, throbbing pain that begins two to four days after extraction, often radiating to the ear, temple or jaw\n- Visible empty socket (bone visible where the blood clot should be)\n- Bad breath or unpleasant taste\n\n**Risk factors:** Smoking, use of straws, oral contraceptive use, difficult extractions, and inadequate clot formation.\n\n**Treatment:** Dry socket is treated in the clinic. Your dentist will irrigate the socket and place a medicated dressing to relieve pain while the socket heals. Multiple dressing changes may be required over one to two weeks.\n\nIf you suspect dry socket, call us on **13 13 96** for an urgent appointment.\n\n---\n\n## Returning to Normal Activity\n\n- **Light activity:** Resume from day one if comfortable\n- **Exercise and sport:** Avoid for at least 48-72 hours (longer for more complex surgery); increased heart rate and blood pressure can dislodge clots and worsen swelling\n- **Work:** Many patients return to desk work the day after a simple extraction. Complex oral surgery may require two to three days off.\n- **Driving:** Avoid driving while taking prescription pain medication or if you were sedated for the procedure. Wait until completely clear-headed.\n- **Smoking:** Avoid for at least 72 hours (ideally longer); smoking is a major risk factor for dry socket and impairs healing\n\n---\n\n## Follow-Up\n\nA post-operative review may be scheduled depending on the complexity of your procedure. If stitches require removal, you will have a follow-up appointment booked. For simpler extractions, contact us if you have any concerns; a formal follow-up may not be required.\n\nCall Smile Solutions on **13 13 96** any time you have a concern about your recovery. We would rather you call and be reassured than wait and risk a complication becoming more serious.",
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