You just left the office and we want to make sure your recovery is as comfortable as possible. Follow these instructions for optimal healing.

The First 24 Hours

This period is critical for forming the clot that will protect your wound

Bite the gauze: Maintain firm pressure on the gauze for 30-45 minutes. If bleeding continues, place new gauze and repeat.
Apply cold: Use cold compresses on your cheek: 20 minutes with ice, 20 minutes rest. This reduces swelling.
Rest: Keep your head elevated with extra pillows. Avoid physical exertion and intense activities.
Protect the clot: DO NOT spit, DO NOT use straws, DO NOT rinse vigorously. The clot is essential for healing.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do

Rest for the first few hours
Take your medications on time
Eat cold and soft foods
Keep your head elevated while sleeping
Drink plenty of water
Brush your other teeth carefully

Don’t

Don’t smoke for at least 5 days
Don’t drink alcohol
Don’t use straws
Don’t spit forcefully
Don’t touch the wound with your tongue
Don’t do intense exercise (48h)

Recommended Diet

During the first few days, your diet is key to good recovery

Recommended Foods

Plain yogurt
Ice cream (no chunks)
Mashed potatoes
Warm soups (not hot)
Smoothies and shakes
Gelatin
Soft scrambled eggs
Mashed avocado

Avoid These Foods

Hot foods
Crunchy or hard food
Small seeds (rice, chia)
Spicy foods
Carbonated drinks
Alcohol

Oral Hygiene

Day 1 — Extraction day: DO NOT brush the extraction area. You can brush the rest of your teeth carefully.
Day 2 — The next day: Start gently brushing near the area. If we prescribed chlorhexidine rinse, use it without vigorous swishing.
Day 3+ — Following days: Gradually return to normal hygiene. Brush the area with a soft brush, always gently.

Medication

Take medications exactly as prescribed. It’s important to start the painkiller BEFORE the anesthesia wears off to prevent intense pain.

Do not take aspirin as it interferes with clotting. If you have questions about any medication, contact us.

Warning Signs

Worsening pain: If after day 2-3 the pain increases instead of decreasing
Excessive bleeding: If bleeding doesn’t stop after 1 hour of gauze pressure
Fever: Temperature above 38°C (100.4°F) may indicate infection
Bad taste or smell: Persistent very unpleasant taste or intense bad breath
Increasing swelling: If inflammation keeps growing after day 3
Difficulty opening mouth: Severe trismus that doesn’t improve over days

What is Dry Socket?

Dry socket occurs when the blood clot that protects the bone becomes dislodged or doesn’t form properly. This leaves the bone exposed and causes intense pain.

Symptoms:

Intense pain appearing 2-4 days after extraction
You can see white bone in the socket
Bad breath or unpleasant taste
Pain extends to ear or neck

How to prevent it?

By following all the instructions in this guide, especially: no smoking, no straws, no spitting, and no vigorous rinsing during the first 24 hours.

Recovery Timeline

Everyone is different, but this is the typical progression:

Day 1-2 — Normal discomfort: Increasing swelling, possible light bleeding, discomfort controllable with medication.
Day 3-4 — Improving: Swelling peaks and starts to go down. Pain gradually decreases.
Day 5-7 — Active recovery: Minimal discomfort. You can resume most normal activities.
Day 7-10 — Healing: Gum is healing well. Stitches may fall out on their own or we remove them.
2 weeks — Follow-up: Tissue is well recovered. Schedule your follow-up appointment.

Care After Tooth Extraction