AFTERCARE
Everything You Need for a Smooth Recovery
What happens after your procedure?
During the initial few hours after your procedure, your mouth will still feel numb so there will not be any pain.
You will most likely have a gold orthodontic chain glued to the tooth that your surgeon has exposed for you. This is usually stabilised by stitching it to the brace, or to your gum. Please do not touch this chain or pull it.
You can contact your orthodontist as soon as the procedure is completed, and they will arrange to see you to attach the gold chain to your brace to pull your tooth into place.
Pain Relief
Please take painkillers regularly for the first few days – we recommend alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen throughout the day and saving a dose of each for before bedtime where you can take them together for a good nights sleep.
Sutures
If you needed any stitches, they will most likely be dissolvable. These usually drop out after 7-10 days. If non-dissolving sutures are needed, your surgeon will explain this to you and arrange an appointment for
suture removal.
What to do after your surgery
We have some simple instructions for you for the next couple of days so that your healing period is as smooth and easy as
possible!
Avoid rinsing and spitting for 24 hours after your procedure – this will help to prevent any bleeding.
Avoid hot food and drink for 24 hours after your procedure – this will also help to prevent any bleeding. You can eat and drink
anything you like that is comfortable, but it needs to be cold!
Avoid smoking or vaping for as long as possible after your procedure – this will help to reduce your chances of infection and other complications.
Avoid alcohol for 24 hours after your procedure. Take it easy for the rest of the day, avoiding any heavy lifting or exercising.
If you have any stitches, please avoid touching them with your tongue or your fingers. This may cause them to come loose and risk them needing to be redone.
It is completely normal to experience blood-stained saliva in your mouth for the first 24-48 hours. Please ignore this and swallow it, do not spit as this will cause the socket to bleed.
Keeping the area clean
For the first 24 hours after your procedure, you don’t need to worry about cleaning the area or brushing your teeth. The blood clot in the tooth socket is vital for healing, and it is very delicate within the first 24 hours.
After 24 hours, you can clean the area by rinsing your mouth with warm salt water 3 times a day for 5 days, especially after meals.
You can do this at home by filling a cup with cooled, boiled water from the kettle mixed with a teaspoon of salt.
Brush your teeth gently, and if this is uncomfortable, you can soften your toothbrush by running it under hot water.
What can I eat after my procedure?
For the first 24 hours, it is important that you avoid hot food and drink to avoid causing bleeding from the surgical site. You can eat and drink cold things as is comfortable for you.
You may notice that opening your mouth wide causes some pain, this is normal but please inform your dentist if you find it worsening significantly.
After the first 24 hours, you can eat as you find it comfortable at your own pace, but it may be a good idea to avoid food with small bits such as rice or nuts, to avoid aggravating the surgical site.
Will I need antibiotics?
The majority of the time, antibiotics are not needed after dental procedures.
There are some occasions, however, where antibiotics may be needed. These include patients who may have a higher risk of infection or concerns with healing due to a medical condition, such as diabetes or certain medications.
On these occasions, it is very important that you take all of the antibiotics as directed by your surgeon, unless you experience an adverse reaction.
What should I look out for?
As with any surgery, the area may feel a little sore and mildly swollen for up to 2 weeks after the procedure, with most people feeling back to normal after 7-10 days.
How to manage bleeding
If you notice heavy bleeding from the area, this can be managed by biting down on the area with some damp gauze for 20-30 minutes, which your surgeon will provide for you. Placing an ice pack over the area can also help to slow the bleeding.
If you notice any sharp increase in pain, swelling or have any concerns after your procedure, please contact your dentist so that they can make sure any complications are managed early.
If your gold chain falls off, please contact your dentist or us as soon as possible so that we may arrange for it to be re-attached.