Patient Information

For the first week, avoid wide mouth opening and stick to softer foods (pasta, eggs, mince, ice cream, yoghurt, bread etc.). Avoid whole grains, nuts, popcorn, and muesli bars for 10–14 days, as they can easily get lodged in the healing sockets. Avoid hot drinks on the day of surgery.

Dissolvable stitches are commonly placed in the extraction area and often disappear before your follow-up appointment. If they remain, we can remove them then - it is a quick and painless process.

Yes. Extraction sites are bony sockets that cannot be fully stitched closed, so they may look like holes initially. The size or shape can differ depending on the position of the removed tooth.

It’s normal for small particles of food to get into the sockets - this is not an issue. Please avoid picking at the sockets or using a syringe to rinse before your follow-up appointment, as this can disrupt healing and lead to infection or “dry socket”.

Yes. Continue brushing and cleaning your teeth gently but avoid the surgical sites for 1 week. Use prescribed mouthwash as instructed to prevent infection; bathe the sockets (avoid vigorous swishing). A brownish appearance may appear on the tongue / gums due to the mouthwash. Refrain from drinking tea/coffee/red wine or smoking for 2 hours after rinsing to prevent tooth stains.

Negative stories are often exaggerated. Most people recover with less pain than anticipated, especially if they follow their surgeon’s post-operative instructions closely. The first few days can be uncomfortable - this is typical for any surgery. If you experience significant pain or have any concerns, please reach out to us.

The team at Otago Oral Surgery & Implant Centre is here to guide you through every step of your oral surgery. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need additional support.