Introduction
The site of your operation needs time to settle down. In order to help with this process it is
important that you;
- Do not rinse your mouth out today
- Do not drink hot liquids or alcohol today, you may sip on cold drinks
- Do not chew for four hours. After four hours please be careful
- Do not smoke for at least 24 hours
- Avoid any hard physical activity today.
Cleaning
Unless you are told not to, brush your teeth as normal, taking care around the area of surgery.
From one day after the procedure, please rinse gently using a warm salt water mouthwash
(one level teaspoonful of salt in a glass of warm water) after every meal and every two hours
during the day for at least three days.
Bleeding
As part of the healing process a blood clot will form over the extraction site and blood stained saliva is to be expected. More serious bleeding can often be caused by too much rinsing or disturbance of the blood clot with the tongue. This can be controlled by folding a clean, damp handkerchief, placing this over the bleeding socket and biting down with steady pressure for 10 minutes whilst sitting down.
Pain relief / analgesia
It is normal to have pain for a few days following your operation. The pain can be treated with regular use of painkillers, such as you would use at home. Please follow any instructions given to you by your surgeon, and do not exceed the doses recommended on the packet. Additional advice regarding pain control may also be available from your local pharmacist.
Post operative infection
Infection is an uncommon but recognised potential complication of surgical dental treatment.
The presence of infection can cause an increase in pain, swelling and tenderness, raised body
temperature and chills. You may also notice an unpleasant odour and taste. If these symptoms develop please contact the department on the telephone number below.
Antibiotics
You will not routinely be prescribed antibiotics. Your surgeon will have decided at the time of
your operation if it was appropriate to prescribe you antibiotics. Unnecessary antibiotics can
lead to future antibiotics not working when they are needed.
For further information
Contact details
If, after following the above instructions, you have uncontrolled bleeding or you think
you have developed a post-operative infection, please contact;
The oral surgery department on 0191 2824681 between 8.30am and 4.30pm, Monday –
Friday excluding bank holidays.
At other times an emergency service is provided by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
senior house officer, RVI, who can be contacted through the hospital switchboard 0191
2336161.
PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) for help, advice and information about NHS
services. You can contact them on freephone 0800 032 02 02, email northoftynepals@nhct.nhs.uk or text to 07815 500 015.
Useful websites
If you would like further information about health conditions and treatment options, you may wish to have a look at the NHS website at www.nhs.uk
