Parcel Tracking 
What to expect
- The teeth, lips and tongue will feel numb until the anaesthetic has worn off. (Avoiding chewing until this has occurred, usually taking around 2 hours).
- A blood clot should form in the tooth socket, starting off the healing process.
- The gap where the tooth was will feel a little strange at first,but this is normal, and new bone and gum tissue will replace the gap eventually.
Pain
- It is normal to experience some pain, but it should subside with over-the-counter pain relief such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen.
Aspirin should not be used as it may prevent an essential blood clot forming. (Please note that taking pain killers on an empty stomach can cause nausea). - The dentist should be able to prescribe a stronger pain killer if the pain does not subside.
- For the first six hours after tooth extraction, an ice pack should be used (20 minutes on and 20 minutes off),
this should reduce swelling and in turn reduce pain.
Aftercare
The following actions should be undertaken where possible or appropriate:
- Once the numb feeling has worn off eating food is advised to ensure the body is nourished and promote healing (However, try to stick with soft
foods such as ice cream, yoghurt and soft soups). - After 24 hours gently rinse the mouth about 2-3 times a day for a week, with a mixture of one teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water. Swish the solution around the tooth socket, carefully spitting out after.
- Try to keep the head elevated with pillows, which should help control any bleeding. ‘Bite Packs’ can be provided by the dentist incase of any bleeding later on. You should bite down gently but firmly for around 20 minutes or until bleeding has completely stopped. If bleeding does not subside or gets worse, ring the dentist’s surgery for advice.
- If the dentist has prescribed antibiotics, ensure you complete the full course even if the symptoms subside as failure to do so can affect their effectiveness.
- Drinking at least 8 glasses of water or fruit juice a day is advised.
- Try to relax as much as possible, and avoid any strenuous exercise for 24 hours after the procedure.
- You can brush and floss the other areas of the mouth to where the extraction took place as usual.
The following actions should be avoided to ensure a blood clot forms properly, and does not dislodge:
- Do not touch the tooth socket with your tongue or finger.
- Do not drink out of a straw.
- Do not spit vigorously.
- Do not rinse the mouth out for around 48 hours.
- Try not to blow the nose too vigorously as this can impair healing. (Ensure that you keep the right medication to hand if you have any upper respiratory infections or allergies).
- Smoking or food particles coming into contact with the tooth socket can significantly affect the healing process.
Potential complications – dry socket
This is an infection that can occur in the tooth socket after extraction, which occurs in around 5% of patients.
Normally after a tooth extraction, a blood clot should form in the socket to help promote healing and the growth of
new bone and gum tissue. However, dry socket can occur when either a blood clot does not form in the first place,
or becomes loose or moves. This can cause the tooth socket to become inflamed and infected.
Symptoms
- Severe pain which does not go, and possibly a feeling of earache.
- A nasty taste in the mouth and awful breath.
- Symptoms usually occur between 3-5 days after the extraction of the tooth.
Resolutions
- A course of antibiotics can be prescribed by the dentist.
- A pain relieving dressing can be fitted in the socket itself.
