Information for patients who have had a dental extraction under local anaesthetic.
You may experience the following:
- Pain, swelling, soreness and intermittent bleeding from the site of the extraction. Pain should respond well to simple painkillers such as Paracetamol. Avoid Aspirin based painkillers.
- Risk of infection or dry socket which can caused delayed healing (see further details at end of this leaflet).
- Numbness for 2-4 hours after the extraction.
Please follow the advice below after leaving the the surgery/clinic
- Do Not eat or drink anything for one hour and do not rinse your mouth for 24 hours.
- Do Not disturb the clot in the socket with your tongue, fingers or by spitting out.
- Do Not chew on the affected side for at least three days. A soft diet is advisable for three days.
- Do Not bite or chew lips or cheek whilst area is still numb.
- Do Not smoke including vaping and e-cigarettes.
- Do Not exercise or take part in sports for the rest of the day.
- Do Not have any alcohol for the rest of the day.
- If the area begins to bleed, use the packs provided or a clean handkerchief, dampen with clean water and place over the socket and bite down applying constant pressure for 15minutes.
- If the bleeding does not stop:
- During working hours (8.30-5 pm) call the Booking Office on 01926 317778
- During evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays call NHS 111 by dialling 111 on your keypad.
Following day and for two weeks
- Use a warm salt water mouthwash 4-5 times a day for two weeks (dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gently bathe the socket).
- Clean the rest of your teeth at least twice a day.
Healing
Healing should progress within 7-14 days. If you have sutures (stitches) these are dissolvable and will fall out within 2-3 weeks.
Pain and/or discomfort should gradually improve each day. If there is a sudden increase in pain after a few days or the pain becomes unmanageable you may have a Dry Socket.
A Dry Socket usually occurs 3 to 5 days after the extraction and is often the result of the blood clot being dislodged.
Symptoms include severe, throbbing pain which is often accompanied by a bad taste and or bad breath.
If you do experience any of these symptoms, you will need to be seen in the clinic. Please call the Booking Office on 01926 317778 who will arrange an appointment.
George Eliot Hospital is a smoke free environment. For help and advice to stop smoking you can call the national helpline on 0300 123 1044 or visit: https://
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