Tips for a Smooth Recovery After Tooth Extraction

Having a tooth removed can leave you feeling uncertain about what comes next. Your mouth feels different, and all you want is to get back to your normal routine as quickly as possible. The good news is that with a little care in the hours and days following your procedure, you can heal comfortably and avoid complications.

Treat the extraction site as a small wound that requires protection. Allow a stable blood clot to form to support the healing process.

The First 30 Minutes

Immediately after extraction, your dentist will place gauze over the area. Bite down firmly but gently, as this will help stop bleeding and encourage clotting, which is essential for healing.

Keep the gauze in place for 30 to 45 minutes, then remove it. Some oozing or red saliva is normal. If needed, replace the gauze and bite down for another 30 minutes.

The First 24 Hours

Right now, that socket is forming a blood clot, nature’s perfect bandage. Keeping it safe is your top priority.

First, give yourself permission to rest. Really rest. Skip the gym, avoid heavy chores, and prop your head up with an extra pillow when relaxing on the couch. This simple trick helps minimize swelling.

You will likely have some swelling, and that is completely normal. A good way to manage it is to gently hold a cold pack or a bag of frozen peas against your cheek, over the area. Do this for about 15 minutes at a time, then give your skin a break. The coolness is soothing and helps keep swelling down.

When hunger strikes, reach for soft, cool foods that require no chewing, imagine creamy yogurt, silky applesauce, gentle broth, or mashed bananas. Avoid straws, since the sucking motion can disrupt the precious clot. For now, skip anything spicy, crunchy, or piping hot.

You can brush your teeth, but be gentle around the surgery site. And don’t swish or rinse vigorously today. Let the area settle in peace.

The Following Days: Easing Back into Routine

After the first 24 hours, you can gently introduce more normal habits as deeper healing continues.

You can do a gentle saltwater rinse. Do not swish forcefully; just let the water flow over the area and then tilt your head to let it drain. Doing this after meals helps keep things clean.

As for food, you can slowly try more solid items. Just remember to chew on the opposite side of your mouth. Listen to your body; if it causes discomfort, stick with softer options a bit longer.

Any sharp pain should be fading. You can manage general tenderness with the pain relief method your dentist recommended. If you were given a prescription, be sure to follow it exactly.

When to Call Your Dentist

If you develop sharp, throbbing pain a few days after extraction that does not improve with medication, this may indicate dry socket. Persistent bleeding after one hour of gauze pressure or swelling that worsens after several days also requires prompt attention.

Additionally, signs of infection, like fever, chills, or increased redness and pus, require prompt attention. Numbness in your mouth or face that persists is another reason to call your dentist right away.

For more information on recovery after tooth extraction, visit Unique Family Dentistry in Linden, New Jersey. Call (908) 772-8640 to schedule an appointment.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22120-tooth-extraction

https://www.england.nhs.uk/mids-east/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2017/07/pt-info-leaflet-extractions.pdf