After Tooth Extractions

There are a number of reasons that your dentist might recommend a tooth extraction. Some dental patients suffer from tooth decay; others need to remove teeth hindering orthodontic treatment, whereas various patients simply need wisdom teeth removal. While a tooth extraction can be a serious dental procedure, aftercare is just as critical as the procedure itself. As the dental patient, it is important to understand that pain and the risk of infection can be lessened with proper care.

Care Immediately Following Surgery:

Control bleeding: Gently bite down on the gauze pad your doctor placed over the surgical site. If it dries out, dampen it with water. Maintain pressure for 45–60 minutes and repeat as needed until bleeding slows. Replace gauze as necessary.

Rest and elevate your head: Keep your head elevated and minimize physical activity to promote healing.

Rinse after 48 hours: Begin rinsing with warm salt water every 1–2 hours after the first 48 hours. Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes, as they can irritate the surgical site.

Maintain oral hygiene: Brush your teeth gently, avoiding the surgical site and any sutures. Do not touch or disturb the wounded area.

Manage swelling: Apply ice packs to the outside of your face near the extraction site to reduce swelling.

Follow medication instructions: Take all prescribed medications as directed. If you notice itching, swelling, or any allergic reaction, contact our office immediately or visit the nearest emergency room.

Eat soft, protein-rich foods: Stick to a soft food diet to avoid irritating the area. High-protein foods support recovery.

Stay hydrated (no straws): Drink plenty of fluids, but do not use a straw for at least 5–7 days to avoid dislodging the blood clot.

Avoid tobacco: Do not smoke for at least 3–4 days, as it greatly increases the risk of infection or dry socket.

Healing timeline: Healing takes time. Sutures should dissolve or fall out within 3–14 days. If you have non-dissolvable stitches, we’ll schedule a follow-up to remove them. The empty socket will slowly fill in with bone and tissue.

Post-extraction care is essential to prevent dry socket and ensure optimal healing.

Possible complications after a tooth extraction

Bleeding: Bleeding after a tooth extraction is entirely normal. A pinkish tinted saliva and subtle oozing is fairly common during the first 36 hours. If bleeding gets excessive, control it by using dampened gauze pads and biting down to keep pressure on the area. As an alternative to gauze pads, a moistened tea bag can be used, as the tannic acid helps blood vessels contract. Apply pressure to the gauze or tea bag by gently biting down for 30 minutes. Please remember that raised tempers, sitting upright, and exercise can all increase blood flow to the head, which can cause excess bleeding. Try to avoid these as much as possible. If your bleeding does not reduce after 48 hours, please call the practice.

Bone sequestra (dead tooth fragments): Some patients have small sharp tooth fragments that were unable to be completely removed during surgery. During the recovery period, these dead bone fragments, or bone sequestra, slowly work themselves through the gums as a natural healing process. This can be a little painful until the sequestra are removed so please call our practice immediately if you notice any sharp fragments poking through the surgery site.

Dry socket: In the days that follow your tooth extraction, pain should gradually subside. Rarely, patients report that pain increases to a throbbing unbearable pain that shoots up towards the ear. Often this is a case of dry socket. Dry socket occurs when the blood clot becomes irritated and ousted before healing is complete. Food and debris can then get into the socket causing irritation. Tobacco users and women taking oral contraceptives are at a higher risk of getting dry socket. Dry socket is not an infection but does require a visit to our office. If you think you may be suffering from dry socket, please contact the practice immediately.

Lightheadedness: Because you may have been fasting prior to surgery, your blood sugar levels may be lower than normal. Until your body has had the chance to catch up and process some sugars, you should remember to stand up slowly when getting up from a relaxed position. For somewhat immediate relief, try eating something soft and sugary, stay in a relaxed position, and reduce the elevation of your head.

Numbness: Many patients report still feeling numb hours after their tooth extraction procedure. An extended lack of feeling around the mouth is normal and can last 10-12 hours after surgery.

Swelling: Swelling should subside almost entirely within 10 days after surgery. Immediately following your tooth extraction, apply an ice pack to the facial areas near the extraction. Continue using the ice in 15 minute intervals for the first 36 hours. After 36 hours, ice will no longer be beneficial in reducing swelling and moist heat should be used instead. To decrease swelling, apply a warm damp cloth to the sides of your face.