A mild rise in body temperature may occur during the first 24 hours after a dental procedure. This can be a normal response, particularly after a more complicated extraction or oral surgery.

What can you do?

• Rest and avoid strenuous physical activity on the day of the procedure.
• Drink enough cool or lukewarm fluids.
• Follow your dentist’s instructions for medication and wound care.

When should you contact the dentist?

Contact the clinic if the fever lasts longer than 24 hours, rises, returns after you initially felt better, or is accompanied by increasing pain, worsening swelling, an unpleasant taste or smell, or pus. Moderate pain and swelling around the wound generally improve within 4–7 days.

Seek urgent medical help if swelling of the face or neck increases rapidly, you have difficulty swallowing or breathing, or you feel seriously unwell.

Important: this is general guidance. Always follow the individual instructions given by your treating dentist.