Thank you for trusting The Grove Dental with your recent procedure. For optimal recovery and healing, please follow the below post-operative care instructions carefully.

1. For 12-24 HOURS, DO NOT rinse your mouth or spit. This may dislodge the blood clot that forms in the socket where the tooth has been removed which will cause more bleeding.

2. Keep your fingers and tongue away from the socket or surgical area.

3. Ice the side of the wound for the first 4 – 6 hours, 10 – 20 minutes on and 10 – 20 minutes off. This will reduce any swelling or discomfort.

4. The numbness will usually subside after 2-3 hours. It is quite normal to feel some pain or discomfort. Take 2 Panadol and 2 Nurofen every 6 hours. Do not use if it is contraindicated for a medical condition, and do not exceed the dosages indicated on the package. Stop taking these medications if they are causing you nausea or vomiting.

5. A trace of blood is normal for a few hours post-operatively. If there is significant bleeding, roll up two or three pieces of gauze into a ball, and bite down firmly for 10 – 20 minutes. Biting down will put pressure on the wound which will stop the bleeding. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding persists, call us.

6. If muscles of the jaw become stiff, you can massage and exercise your jaws. Chewing gum at intervals will help relax the muscles. After 24 – 48 hours the use of warm, moist heat to the outside of your face over these muscles will help get rid of the stiffness.

7. From TOMORROW onward, rinse three times a day with warm salty water after meals (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) to keep the wound clean. Non-alcohol-based mouthwash can be used as an alternative.

8. You can eat and drink after the numbness has worn off but avoid the area of the wound to avoid food being trapped. Stick to soft food for the first 48 hours e.g. pumpkin soup, yoghurt, ice cream, jelly then try soft but solid food later e.g. pasta.

9. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid using straws as sucking can cause your wound to bleed again.

10. Avoid alcohol for at least the first 48 hours. Avoid smoking and excessive exercise for at least 5 days, as this can cause the bleeding to restart and swelling, which can lead to post-operative infection. Nicotine may break down the blood clot and cause a “dry socket”.

11. If your procedure required surgery and dissolvable stitches were used, the stiches will dissolve in three to four weeks. If non-dissolvable stitches were used, you will need to return for the surgeon to remove the stitches – you will be informed if this is the case.

If you have any bleeding or pain you cannot control with these measures, please contact us on (02) 8817 2879. Our team is here to help.