Aftercare
Tooth extraction & oral surgery aftercare
How to care for the area after a tooth extraction or oral surgery: protect the blood clot, control bleeding and swelling, and heal comfortably over the next few days.
This is general aftercare guidance, not a substitute for the specific instructions your dentist gave you. If their advice differs, follow theirs. If you are worried about your recovery, please contact us.
Quick guide
Do's and don'ts
- Bite firmly on the gauze for 30 to 60 minutes
- Take pain medication before the numbness wears off
- Eat soft, lukewarm foods and rest with your head elevated
- Use ice packs if swelling develops, and take medication as instructed
- Do not spit or rinse forcefully
- Do not use straws or suck on sweets
- Do not eat hot, spicy, crunchy or hard foods
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol while healing or on medication
First few hours
Immediately after
- Bleeding control: Bite firmly on the gauze placed over the extraction site for 30 to 60 minutes. Firm, steady pressure slows the blood flow, giving the body time to form a firm, stable blood clot, and protects the new clot from being disturbed or washed away.
- Protect the blood clot: Do not spit, rinse forcefully, use straws or suck on sweets. These actions can dislodge the clot and disrupt healing, leading to painful complications.
- Numbness precaution: Until the numbness wears off, be mindful not to chew your lips or cheeks, and avoid hot food or drinks, as you may injure yourself without realising.
- Pain management: Take the prescribed pain medication before the local anaesthetic wears off to minimise discomfort.
Replace with fresh gauze if needed. Slight bleeding or pink saliva is normal.
First 24 hours
- Stitches (if placed): Do not stretch your lips or cheeks to look at the stitches, as this may cause them to loosen or break.
- Diet: Eat soft, lukewarm foods such as yoghurt, soup, mashed potatoes or smoothies (without a straw). Avoid hot, spicy, crunchy or hard foods.
- Rest: Rest well and keep your head elevated with pillows to reduce bleeding and swelling.
Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, swimming or jogging for 48 to 72 hours, as this can restart bleeding.
Days 2 to 7
Healing phase
- Avoid smoking: Do not smoke for at least 5 to 7 days, and longer if possible. Smoking greatly slows the body's natural healing, increases the risk of infection, and is linked with painful, delayed healing.
- Avoid alcohol: Alcohol can increase drowsiness and the risk of stomach irritation when combined with common painkillers, and may reduce the effectiveness or safety of some antibiotics. To be safe, do not drink until you have finished your medication and feel fully recovered.
- Oral hygiene: Gently rinse with an antibacterial mouth rinse 2 to 3 times a day, especially after meals. Brush normally, but avoid the extraction site.
- Swelling and ice packs: Apply ice packs to the outside of the face for 15 to 20 minutes at a time if swelling develops. Swelling may peak on day 2 to 3, then gradually settle.
- Diet: Continue with soft foods. Avoid hard, crunchy, sticky or chewy foods that may lodge in the socket.
- Continue your medication: Keep taking your medication as labelled for the best healing and a speedy recovery.
When to contact us
Please contact us if you experience:
- Bleeding that does not stop after applying continuous pressure
- Severe pain that worsens after 3 days
- Fever, chills, swelling, or pus from the extraction site
- A bad taste or odour that does not improve
- Hives or a skin rash, swelling of the lips or eyelids, wheezing or shortness of breath, or severe diarrhoea as an adverse reaction to any medication prescribed
Related treatments
Questions about your recovery?
Not sure if something is normal?
If anything about your recovery does not seem right, call or message us. We will advise you, and arrange a review if you need one.