What to Do After a Tooth Extraction
The goal after having a tooth extracted is for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That is why your dentist will have you bite down on a gauze pad after an extraction. Your dentist will monitor bleeding or oozing and will continue replacing the pad until it stops. At that point, you are ready to head home and begin your aftercare.
For the next 24 hours, it is important to protect that blood clot formation. The blood clot that forms in the extraction site is an important part of the healing process. If it becomes dislodged, it can lead to an infection referred to as dry socket.
DO NOT:
- Rinse your mouth vigorously
- Brush or clean the teeth next to the extraction site
- Smoke or chew tobacco
- Drink alcohol
- Suck liquids through a straw
- Avoid hot and spicy foods
- Blow your nose and if you need to sneeze, do so with your mouth open.
DO:
- Limit your activity for the first 24 hours. You should also avoid bending over or lifting heavy objects. This helps maintain a lower blood pressure and reduce bleeding.
- Use an ice bag for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, if you feel pain and have some swelling.
- Take pain medication, as recommended, to control discomfort or antibiotics to avoid infection. Eat something before taking your medication. If you take your medication on an empty stomach, nausea may result.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid very hot and very cold beverages.
- Eat only soft, bland foods on the day of the extraction. Gently rinse after meals. This helps keep food out of the extraction site.
- Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water three times a day. Put a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, then gently rinse, swish and spit.
- When you sleep or lie down, position yourself so your head is above the level of your heart. This position will lower the blood pressure level at your head and help control bleeding.
- Call your dentist immediately if you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling after two or three days or a reaction to the medication.
You can usually resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. Begin by cleaning these teeth in a gentle manner. Do not rinse with mouthwash or a mouth rinse. You can begin eating normally the next day, or as soon thereafter as it is comfortable.