What to expect after having your immediate denture fitted

It is normal to undergo some degree of post-operative swelling arid pain following multiple teeth extractions, but the following information may help to reduce these effects and to answer any questions you may have.

 

Strenuous exercise is best avoided for the next few days. Heavy contact sports such as football should be avoided for up to 6 weeks while the new bone forms (to avoid the possibility of jaw fracture).

 

Do not rinse your mouth out for 24 hours after the teeth have been removed. This allows clots to form, which is a vital part of the healing process. You may have a drink, but don’t vigorously rinse. After this time, rinse with warm salty water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of water) to promote healing. This can be done after eating, or as often as you wish during this phase of healing.

 

Alternatively, you may rinse with SAVACOL mouthwash (available from the chemist or grocery store), which will aid your GENTLE brushing of the area.

 

Avoid hot drinks, alcohol, smokinq, hard or chewy foods for the rest of the day.  Choose cool drinks and minced or soft food. You will know when you are able to get back to normal eating.

 

It is best to keep your head elevated for 24 hours or so after any extraction. To achieve this, you should give yourself an extra pillow at bedtime. You may also find it useful to lay a towel over the pillow, just in case there is any minor bleeding during the night.

 

You will have some blood in your saliva. This is normal. If you are concerned about the amount of bleeding, or if you start to spit out large amounts of dark clotted blood, sit down (don’t lie flat) and place a gauze pressure pack over the wound. Hold this in place with firm biting pressure for about 15 minutes. If this is not successful, try it a second time.  If it is still not successful, please give us a call.

 

Your level of pain following this procedure will depend on a large number of variables. However, some pain, swelling and bruising is inevitable. Use of ice packs wrapped in cloth (even frozen peas) over the area will help enormously to control both pain and swelling. As well, a mild analgesic such as paracetamol (“Panadol”) or ibuprofen (“Nurofen” or “Act 3”) during the day.

 

It is extremely important that you do not take the denture out until we see you for your post-operative check tomorrow.