Oral surgery

Oral surgery

What should I keep in mind after undergoing a tooth extraction or a surgery?

The removal of a tooth, like every other procedure in the mouth, is a surgical process and your body will need to rest afterwards. Depending on the particular procedure, it is recommended to avoid strenuous physical activities and training for a while.

After a surgery or a tooth extraction, a sterile piece of gauze is applied to the wound for 10-15 minutes. This stops the bleeding and enables a blood clot to form. A bag of ice will be placed on your face after the surgery to prevent swelling and slow down the bleeding.

When can I eat after a tooth extraction?

You will not be permitted to eat during the first couple of hours after a tooth extraction or a surgery. Consume softer and colder foods during the first couple of days. After a surgical procedure, you should avoid hot food and drinks and should use a straw for drinking, as these activities could cause a vacuum in your mouth and the blood clot may start shifting. An empty wound is at risk of an inflammation and the healing will take longer.

Can I smoke after the surgery?

You should give up smoking for a couple of days, or at least try to smoke as little as possible following the surgery, as smoking prevents blood from clotting and slows down the healing of the wound.

Can I rinse my mouth after the surgery?

Rinsing your mouth after a tooth extraction or surgery is not necessary, as this might also shift the blood clot from the wound. You should not poke the wound with your tongue to avoid causing bleeding or removing the clot from the wound. Also, you should not touch the wound with your finger, as the wound might become infected with microbes causing an inflammation. Careful rinsing of the wound using a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine is recommended from the second day after the surgery or tooth extraction.

What should I do about the pain after the surgery?

The wound can cause pain once the anaesthesia wears off. Use the painkillers that have been recommended by the dentist to reduce the pain and swelling, when necessary. Never take painkillers on an empty stomach. Avoid aspirin and other medicines containing acetylsalicylic acid, as these medicines will make the blood thinner, stop blood from clotting and cause the wound to bleed again.

Can I apply a compress to my swollen cheek?

You must not apply a damp compress to your cheek after a tooth extraction and after surgery or for a toothache, as it will cause swelling in the soft tissue.

Is swelling after the surgery normal?

Swelling is completely normal after a surgery or a more complicated tooth extraction. This swelling can be prevented by applying a bag of ice to the area periodically for twenty minutes after the surgery. The swelling might be the most extreme on the third day after the surgery. It can be accompanied by difficulties when opening your mouth, so that movement can be restricted and eating might be difficult.

There might be a small fever on the first day after the surgery. Some initial bleeding is also perfectly normal. The bleeding can be stopped by pressing sterile cotton onto the wound for 10-15 minutes. Pressing a small tea bag onto the wound can also help.

What if the bleeding does not stop?

Please contact your doctor if the bleeding does not stop, you have a fever, if there is a bad taste in your mouth or if the pain is strong!