Treatment protocol
pain
On POD 1, the ibuprofen–placebo (IP) group was instructed to use ibuprofen gargle, whereas the placebo–ibuprofen (PI) group was instructed to use placebo gargle. On POD 2, the IP group switched to placebo gargle, whereas the PI group switched to ibuprofen gargle. From PODs 3–5, both groups were prescribed ibuprofen gargle at least once daily. Given that several studies have indicated the peak of pain after third molar extraction to occur around 1−3 days postoperatively (Avellaneda‐Gimeno et al., Patients were instructed to weigh 10 mL of gargle solution using a measuring cup and hold the solution in their mouth for 1 min and spit it out. Patients should avoid drinking water or rinsing their mouths for at least 5 min after using the gargle. To comply with the study protocol, patients were advised to wait at least 15 min between administrations. The daily dose was limited to one bottle (100 mL), and patients were advised to gargle with ibuprofen before every meal.