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Day Surgery Unit

Advice for patients after a dental extraction

Patient Information Leaflet

 

Introduction

This leaflet is for patients who have had a dental extraction. It gives advice on what you should do when you get home, and contact information for if you have any problems relating to your procedure.

 

Advice

  1. After a dental extraction, your saliva (spit) is likely to be pink or blood-coloured. It may stain your bedding on the night of the extraction. Try to swallow your saliva rather than spitting it out, as spitting may disturb the tooth socket, causing it to bleed.
  2. If you do have fresh bleeding, do not worry. Rest in a sitting position and apply pressure by biting on a clean, rolled-up handkerchief for at least 10 minutes, until any bleeding stops.

If the wound is still bleeding after this time, continue applying pressure and contact us on one of the helpline numbers

  1. You may have some discomfort after the extraction. You will be given specific instructions on pain relief before you go home.
  2. Avoid using mouthwash for at least 24 hours. After this time, you can clean your teeth gently. You will be given more instructions about this before you go home.
  3. If you are concerned about anything, do not hesitate to contact the hospital on one of the helpline numbers.

 

Helpline numbers

If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand about this leaflet, please speak to a member of staff or contact:

Russells Hall Hospital Day Surgery Unit on 01384 456111 ext. 1886 (7.30am to 8pm, Monday to Friday) or

Pre-operative Assessment Unit on 01384 456111 ext. 1849 (7am to 7.30pm, Monday to Friday)

Out of these hours, urgent queries: contact Surgical Assessment Unit on 01384 456111 ext. 3359.

Russells Hall Hospital switchboard number: 01384 456111

If you have any feedback on this patient information leaflet, please email dgft.patient.information@nhs.net

 

Originator: T.Trevis/A.Larkin Date reviewed: January 2026 Next review due: January 2029  Version: 5 DGH ref: DGH/PIL/00640