Tooth Extraction | After Care

Friday, June 02, 2006

After the tooth is extracted, it is very important to do all the right things in order to help the area heal quickly and to reduce the risk of complications.

What you should do after a tooth extraction:

Take your painkillers right away. Do not wait for the pain to set in before taking them. It is far easier to prevent pain than to take it away. For many tooth extractions, over the counter pain medicine works well. Do not take Aspirin because Aspirin will thin your blood and cause your mouth to bleed. If you feel you need stronger pain medicine, consult your dentist or oral surgeon.

Relax and take it easy for the rest of the day. Prop your head up with some pillows for the first 12-24 hours after surgery.

Keep firm pressure on the gauze padding placed in your mouth after surgery. This will help a blood clot to form, which is very important in healing. The blood clot will form over the extraction site, protecting the socket from air and debris. Change the dressing every 30-45 minutes, depending on the amount of bleeding. If the bleeding does not stop, moisten a tea bag and place the tea bag over the extraction site. The tannic acid in the tea will stop the bleeding.

After the first 24 hours after surgery, gently rinse 3-4 times a day with warm salt water. (1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of water). Rinse after every meal and snack. Do not spit forcefully because you can dislodge the newly formed blood clot.

For the first 3-4 days after surgery, brush your teeth gently near the extraction site. Be careful not to brush too hard because you may dislodge the blood clot. You can gently wipe the area clean with a wet sterile gauze pad.

Stick to a liquid or soft food diet for the first day or two. (Soups, ice cream, milkshakes, smoothies, mashed potatoes... )

If you have been prescribed antibiotics, follow the instructions and make sure to complete the course.

Swelling and sometimes bruising can occur after a tooth extraction, especially wisdom teeth extractions. On the day of the surgery, apply ice packs for 15 minutes on, then 15 minutes off until bedtime. This will keep swelling to a minimum. Also keep your head elevated until bedtime. Moist heat after 36 hours may help jaw soreness. The swelling is usually at it's worse 2-3 days after surgery.


What you should not do after a tooth extraction:

Do not rinse in the first 24 hours after surgery.

Avoid exercising for the first 12-24 hours and heavy lifting for 2-3 days.

Do not eat or drink until the numbness wears off.

Keep your fingers and tongue away from the extraction site.

Do not drink through a straw, spit, blow your nose, or sneeze. Any of these actions could cause the blood clot to dislodge.

Try not to smoke for as long as possible, at least in the first 24 hours after surgery. Smoking interferes with the healing process and the "sucking action" can dislodge the blood clot.

Avoid alcohol for the first 24 hours.


It is normal for the area to be tender for the first few days. The pain should lessen with each passing day. The gum tissue usually takes about 3-4 weeks to heal. The bone can take up to 6 months to completely heal and fill back in again. It is normal to feel a sharp edge with your tongue around the socket or tiny bits of bone that may raise to the surface as the extraction site begins to heal. If a small bit of bone is annoying you and you don't want to wait until it comes out by itself, you can ask your dentist to remove it for you.

If the blood clot becomes dislodged or never forms, a dry socket occur. A dry socket is when the bone and fine nerve endings are not protected and exposed to air, food, and liquids. Dry socket delays the healing process and can be very painful. Go to your dentist immediately if you think you have a dry socket. Your dentist will place a medicated dressing in the socket which will relieve the pain and help the area to heal. If you have any infection, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics. Make sure to take the antibiotics as prescribed and take the full course. Stopping your antibiotic treatment early can lead to further complications.