After a tooth extraction
The first 24 hours matter most for healing. Most people feel more comfortable after a few days.
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In the first 24 hours
- Rest, and avoid hard exercise.
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol: both can delay healing.
- While your mouth is numb, avoid hot food and drink, so you do not burn yourself or bite your cheek or tongue.
- Do not rinse, and leave the blood clot that closes the gap alone.
- Brush your other teeth as normal, and gently around the area.
- Rest with your head raised on an extra pillow: it helps reduce bleeding.
For the pain
Take painkillers as we advised, or as the packet says. Do not take aspirin, as it can increase bleeding. Do not take ibuprofen if you have been told to avoid it, for example because of asthma, stomach problems or inflammatory bowel disease; if you are unsure, ask a pharmacist.
If it bleeds
A little blood in your saliva is normal. If bleeding continues, bite firmly on a clean gauze pad or a clean handkerchief for 20 minutes, sitting upright and calm. If it does not stop, call us.
In the next few days
After the first 24 hours, or when we tell you, rinse gently with warm salt water: it cleans and soothes the area. Most people are back to their normal day within 24 to 48 hours, if they feel well.
Dry socket
Sometimes the clot does not form properly or comes away too early, and the bone underneath is exposed. This is called dry socket. Signs are pain that gets worse a few days after the extraction and spreads to the ear or the side of the face, and a bad taste or smell.
It can be very painful, but it can be treated: we clean the area and put in a soothing dressing. Call us if the pain is getting worse rather than better.
Call us straight away
Call us straight away if:
- swelling is getting worse
- you find it hard to swallow or breathe
- you have a high temperature
- bleeding will not stop
If you find it hard to breathe or swallow and we are closed, go to the emergency department at Rhodes General Hospital, or call 166.