A dentist or oral surgeon will perform the tooth extraction in their office and then provide some instructions for caring for the area while it heals. During the visit, the dental surgeon will inject a strong local anesthetic into the area around the tooth to keep the person from feeling any pain. Then, they will use a series of tools to loosen the tooth before removing it.

After the tooth is removed, they will place gauze over the extraction site to help control bleeding and encourage a clot to form. Learn more about post-extraction care in this article. We also provide a general healing timeline and explain when you should contact your dentist.

Post-extraction care

Post-extraction care can vary slightly depending on factors such as the type of tooth extracted. Some teeth have deeper roots than others and require longer healing times. However, most people find that the pain subsides after about 3 days. One of the most important aspects of post-extraction care is maintaining the blood clot that forms in the socket where the tooth used to be. Caring for this clot is essential to the healing process and helps prevent painful complications such as dry socket.

Days 1–2

Much of your care in the first two days after your extraction focuses on allowing the blood clot to form and general oral care. As some experts note, light bleeding for up to 24 hours after your extraction is perfectly normal. However, if bleeding continues actively beyond this time, you should consult a dentist. Here are some tips for your care in the first 2 days:

• Get plenty of rest: Plan to rest for at least the first 24 hours after your extraction.
• Change your gauze when needed: It’s important to leave the first gauze in your mouth for at least a few hours to allow the clot to form.
• After that, you can change it as often as needed.
• Avoid rinsing: Although it may seem tempting, avoid rinsing, swishing, or gargling while the area is still clotting.
• Doing so can dislodge the clot and slow the healing process.
• Don’t use a straw: Using a straw can put too much pressure on the healing wound, which can dislodge the blood clot.
• Don’t spit: Spitting also creates pressure in your mouth, which can dislodge the clot.
• Avoid blowing your nose or sneezing: If the extraction occurred in the upper part of your mouth, blowing your nose or sneezing can create pressure that could dislodge the forming clot. Avoid these actions if possible.
• Don’t smoke: Smoking creates the same pressure as a straw. While it’s best to avoid smoking throughout the healing process, it’s crucial not to smoke in the first few days while the clot is forming.
• Take pain relievers: Over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce pain and inflammation. • Use cold compresses: Applying an ice pack or cold compress to the area for 10–20 minutes at a time can help reduce pain.
• Elevate your head: When sleeping, use extra pillows to elevate your head. Lying down too much can cause blood to pool in the head and slow healing.
• Follow your dentist’s instructions: If your dentist has prescribed you any medications, it is important to follow the treatment and complete it.

Days 3–10

After the clot has formed, it is essential to keep it safe and follow some additional oral hygiene tips to prevent further complications. Here are some tips for care between days three and ten:

• Saline rinses: Once the clot is well established, you can begin gentle rinses with warm saline or warm water and a pinch of salt. This helps kill bacteria and prevent infection while it heals.
• Brush and floss as normal: Continue brushing as usual, but be careful to avoid the extraction site. The saline solution or medicated mouthwash your dentist may recommend should be sufficient to clean this area.
• Eat soft foods: Throughout the healing process, it is best to eat soft foods that do not require much chewing and that will not risk getting into the gap left by the extracted tooth. Opt for soups, yogurt, applesauce, and similar foods. Avoid hard foods like toast, chips, or foods that contain seeds.

Treatment for multiple extractions

Occasionally, the dental surgeon may need to remove more than one tooth at a time. In these cases, general anesthesia is more likely to be used than local anesthesia. The person will then be completely unconscious during the procedure. The dentist will also provide some special instructions before the extraction, such as avoiding eating for a certain period of time. After the procedure, someone will need to drive the person home. Post-extraction care for multiple teeth can be complicated, especially if teeth on different sides of the mouth were extracted. The dentist will provide specific instructions for these cases and may require a follow-up visit shortly after the extraction. Clotting aids may also be used at the extraction sites. These are small pieces of natural material that help the clot form. The body then safely eliminates and absorbs them over time.