What are the recommended post-operative care instructions for patients undergoing tooth extraction?

Recommended post-operative care instructions for patients undergoing tooth extraction include:

• Pain management: Use a multimodal analgesic approach combining different classes of pain relief. Offer oral paracetamol before and after the procedure regardless of pain severity. Oral ibuprofen is recommended to manage immediate postoperative pain unless contraindicated. Oral opioids should be reserved for moderate to severe pain and given as soon as the patient can eat and drink, with doses adjusted to facilitate functional recovery such as mobilising and coughing. Consider pre-emptive analgesia for when local anaesthesia wears off ¹.
• Information and support: Provide patients with a point of contact within the perioperative care team for information and support before and after surgery. Ensure clear communication and shared decision-making about pain management and recovery expectations ¹.
• Postoperative monitoring: For patients at high risk of complications, provide postoperative care in a specialist recovery area such as a post-anaesthesia care unit ¹.
• Fluid intake: Patients may drink clear fluids up to 2 hours before surgery and should maintain hydration postoperatively to reduce nausea and vomiting ¹.

These instructions aim to optimise pain control, support recovery, and reduce complications after tooth extraction.