Post operative extraction advice

Question 1

How do you give post-op advice

Answer 1

1. Introduce yourself
2. Explain
   I believe you’ve just had your tooth taken out. Are you feeling ok? I am going to give you a bit of advice as to how to take care of your mouth now. Please do stop me if you have any questions
3. Advise
   The numbness will wear off within 2-4 hours but in the meantime:
   Hot food/drink – remember that the area is numb, so it is easy to burn the area without knowing which would make it sore when the numbness wears it off and you ay drool because your mouth won’t feel normal, so just be aware of that.
   Biting – similarly, it is easy to bite the area without knowing.
   Alcohol/exercise – avoid until the next day as they may cause bleeding.
   Smoking – avoid for as long as possible to minimise chance of infection or inflammation
   Rinsing – starting one day after the extraction, rinse gently after each meal with a warm salt water mouthrinse for a week.
   Bleeding – bite on gauze for 20 minutes, if bleeding continues, maintain pressure and contact the hospital.
   Painkillers – it is a good idea to take painkillers as you start to feel the numbness waring off. Use as directed.
   Swelling and bruising – can occur and can take up to a week to subside.
4. Conclude
   I’ve given you a lot of information there so I’ll leave you with this leaflet with everything that you will need, including contact numbers for the hospital. Do you have any questions?

Question 2

Complications of XLA

Answer 2

• Post op pain – analgesia (paracetamol or ibuprofen)
• Post op swelling
• Trismus
• Fracture of teeth
• Excessive bleeding
• Post op infection of socket
  -> Dry socket - This is where there is little or no blood clot in the tooth socket and the bony socket walls are exposed and become inflamed
• Damage to soft tissues
• Damage to nerves – paraesthesia of lingual/ID nerve
• Creating an opening between oral cavity and maxillary sinus
• Dislocation of mandible
• Fracture of maxillary tuborosity