Caring for your mouth after a tooth extraction.

The first 24 hours

It can take a few hours for the local anaesthetic to wear off, and occasionally longer. While the area is still numb, avoid very hot food and drink, and take care not to bite your tongue, lips or cheeks when speaking or eating.

Rest for a few hours after the extraction. Keep your head slightly raised to reduce bleeding and swelling. Most patients return to their normal routine the same day after a simple extraction; if you have had more than one tooth removed, recovery may take a little longer.

For pain, paracetamol is suitable. Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen for the first 24 hours, or at least until any oozing has stopped, as these medications can increase bleeding.

Bleeding

Some oozing from the socket for 24 hours or more is normal, and you may notice mild bleeding for a day or two. This often looks worse than it is because the blood mixes with saliva.

Your clinical team will have asked you to bite on a damp swab or gauze pack immediately after the extraction. You may have been given additional packs to use at home. Clean material such as a folded handkerchief will also work if needed.

If the area bleeds, moisten the gauze or material and bite down firmly for at least 30 minutes. It is important to moisten anything you use, so the material does not stick to the blood clot and disturb it. Avoid walking around or other activity until the bleeding has stopped.

Light staining on your pillow overnight is not unusual. Using an old pillowcase is a good idea.

If you had intravenous sedation

Intravenous sedation is administered through a vein under the supervision of a specifically qualified dental surgeon or anaesthetist. If you had sedation, recovery may take a little longer.

Follow any specific instructions you were given before and after your appointment. You must not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours after sedation. Feeling sleepy for 24 hours afterwards is normal.

The next few days

Some discomfort for a few days after the extraction is normal. There may also be some swelling. An ice pack, or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel, held against your face near the extraction site will help. Discomfort usually settles within 3 to 5 days.

Occasionally, the socket can develop an infection known as a dry socket. This can be painful and needs management with painkillers, and sometimes a further appointment. Around 10% of extraction sites become infected in this way, and patients who smoke are at greater risk. If a dry socket develops, the pain typically starts 3 to 5 days after the extraction and lasts 7 to 10 days. Paracetamol can be used to manage the pain, and we may need to see you for additional care.

Some visible bruising can appear after an extraction and may last a couple of weeks. If your jaw feels stiff for up to a week, do not try to force it open.

If you are concerned about any symptom after your extraction, please contact us.

Rinsing your mouth

Do not rinse your mouth for at least 24 hours after the extraction. Rinsing too early can disturb the blood clot that has formed and lead to further bleeding.

After 24 hours, you can rinse gently with a salt-water mouthwash. Make this by mixing a generous amount of salt with warm (not boiling) water in a glass. Use the salt-water rinse at least four times a day to keep the area clean.

Do not use shop-bought mouthwash for at least a week, as it can delay healing and increase the risk of a dry or infected socket.

Brushing your teeth

You can brush the rest of your teeth as normal 24 to 48 hours after the extraction. Keep your toothbrush away from the socket for at least one week.

After a week, you can brush closer to the socket, but take extra care not to disturb the healing gum tissue.

Medication and review appointments

Follow any specific instructions from your clinician. If you have been prescribed medication, collect it from your local pharmacy the same day as your extraction and take it as prescribed.

If you have been asked to return for a review, please attend at the date and time booked. If you need to rearrange, contact us as soon as possible.