Care after a tooth extraction is important because it can affect how the area heals. You need to protect the blood clot in the tooth socket, control bleeding and swelling, keep your mouth clean, and follow your dentist or oral surgeon’s instructions.
Your recovery will depend on which tooth was removed, whether you had a simple or surgical extraction, and your overall health. Use this guide for general information, but follow the aftercare instructions from your dental team even if they differ.
What Happens After a Tooth Extraction?
A tooth extraction is when a tooth is removed from its socket in the jawbone. Dentists and oral surgeons may recommend an extraction when a tooth is severely damaged, infected, impacted, or causing crowding.
A simple extraction is typically done for a tooth that’s above the gumline. A surgical extraction may be needed when a tooth is broken below the gum tissue, impacted, or difficult to reach. Surgical extractions may involve an incision, stitches, or sedation.
After the tooth is removed, a blood clot begins forming in the socket. The clot protects the bone and nerves underneath while new tissue develops. Many tooth extraction aftercare instructions are designed to keep the clot in place.
What Should You Do During the First 24 Hours?
During the first day, focus on controlling bleeding, reducing swelling, and protecting the extraction site.
Follow these steps unless your dentist gives you different instructions:
- Bite gently on the gauze pad placed over the extraction site
- Replace the gauze as directed if bleeding continues
- Rest and avoid strenuous activity
- Keep your head slightly elevated when lying down
- Apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel to the outside of your cheek for short intervals
- Choose cool or lukewarm soft foods
- Avoid rinsing your mouth, spitting forcefully, or drinking through a straw
- Don’t touch the extraction site with your fingers or tongue
- Avoid smoking and vaping
A small amount of bleeding, oozing, or pink saliva can be normal during the first several hours. If bleeding doesn’t slow down after applying firm pressure with fresh gauze, contact your dentist or oral surgeon.
How Should You Manage Pain After a Tooth Extraction?
Follow the pain management plan from your dentist or oral surgeon.
Nonopioid medications are often the first choice for acute dental pain. Your provider may recommend ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or a combination if those medications are safe for you.
Take pain relievers exactly as directed, and check with your healthcare provider if you have a medical condition, take other medications, or aren’t sure which option is safe. Don’t take more than the recommended amount or combine products with the same active ingredient.
Contact the dental office if pain isn’t manageable or gets significantly worse after initially improving.
How Can You Manage Swelling and Bruising?
Some swelling, soreness, jaw stiffness, and bruising can occur after a tooth is pulled, especially after oral surgery or a more complex extraction.
An ice pack may help during the early part of recovery. Wrap it in a towel instead of placing it directly against your skin, and use it for short periods as directed.
Swelling should gradually improve. Contact your dentist if it increases, returns after improving, or you also notice fever, pus, or worsening pain.
Will You Need Antibiotics?
Antibiotics aren’t necessary after every tooth extraction. They may be prescribed if there’s an infection or another concern related to your health or procedure.
If you’re prescribed antibiotics, take them exactly as directed. Contact your dentist if you develop side effects, have trouble taking the medication, or have questions about the instructions. Don’t use leftover antibiotics or medication prescribed for someone else.
What Can You Eat After a Tooth Extraction?
Choose soft foods that don’t require much chewing and won’t irritate the extraction site.
Good options include:
- Yogurt
- Applesauce
- Mashed potatoes
- Scrambled eggs
- Oatmeal
- Lukewarm soup
- Smoothies eaten with a spoon instead of sipped through a straw
- Well-cooked pasta
Avoid very hot, crunchy, hard, sticky, spicy, or seedy foods during the first few days. Small pieces of food can get trapped in the tooth socket, while hard foods may disturb the clot or healing gum tissue.
Gradually return to your usual diet as chewing becomes comfortable and your dentist says it’s okay. Try to chew on the opposite side of your mouth while the extraction site is tender.
When Can You Brush and Floss After an Extraction?
Keeping your mouth clean supports healing, but you need to avoid disturbing the socket.
Follow your dentist’s instructions. General recommendations may include:
- Brush and floss the other teeth carefully
- Avoid brushing directly over the extraction site during the first 24 hours
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush near the area
- Don’t poke the socket or try to remove material from it
- Resume cleaning around the area gradually as it heals
Be especially careful if you have stitches. Some stitches dissolve on their own, while others need to be removed during a follow-up visit. Don’t pull on a loose stitch or try to remove it yourself.
When Can You Rinse With Warm Salt Water?
Don’t rinse your mouth on the day of the extraction unless your dentist specifically tells you to. Rinsing too early or too forcefully may disturb the blood clot.
After 24 hours, your dentist may recommend gentle warm salt water rinses. A common mixture is about half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water.
Let the water move gently around your mouth, then lean over the sink and allow it to drain out. Avoid forceful swishing or spitting. Your dentist will tell you how often and how long to continue rinsing.
Can Smoking Cause Dry Socket?
Smoking and vaping can interfere with healing and increase the risk of dry socket. Suction may disturb the blood clot, while tobacco and nicotine can reduce blood flow to the healing tissue.
Dry socket happens when the blood clot comes loose, breaks down too early, or doesn’t form properly. This can expose the bone and nerves in the socket and can cause a lot of pain.
Possible signs of dry socket include:
- Pain that gets much worse a few days after the extraction
- Pain that spreads toward the ear, temple, or jaw
- An empty-looking socket or visible bone
- A bad taste or odor
Avoid smoking and vaping for as long as your dentist recommends. Contact the office if you develop symptoms of dry socket because it requires professional treatment.
Is a White Extraction Site Normal?
A white or yellow layer over the extraction site may be part of the normal healing process. New tissue can make the socket look white or yellow as it heals.
Don’t scrape, brush, or pick at the area. Color alone doesn’t mean there’s an infection or dry socket.
Contact your dentist if you also have worsening pain, increased swelling, fever, pus, or a persistent bad taste or odor.
When Should You Call Your Dentist or Oral Surgeon?
Contact the dental office if you have:
- Heavy bleeding that doesn’t slow down with firm pressure
- Pain or swelling that gets worse after a few days
- Fever
- Pus near the extraction site
- Signs of dry socket
- A persistent foul taste or odor
- Stitches that open or cause concern
- Numbness that lasts longer than your dentist told you to expect
- Repeated vomiting or difficulty keeping fluids or medication down
Seek emergency care right away if you have trouble breathing or swallowing or rapidly increasing swelling in your face or neck.
Ideal Dental provides oral surgery services, including tooth extractions and wisdom teeth removal. Service availability varies, so find an Ideal Dental location near you if you need help during recovery or want to schedule an evaluation.
Frequently asked questions
What happens after a tooth extraction?
After a tooth is removed, a blood clot begins forming in the socket to protect the bone and nerves underneath while new tissue develops. A simple extraction is typically done for a tooth above the gumline, while a surgical extraction may be needed for a broken, impacted, or hard-to-reach tooth and may involve an incision, stitches, or sedation.
What should you do during the first 24 hours after a tooth extraction?
Bite gently on the gauze pad, rest and avoid strenuous activity, keep your head slightly elevated when lying down, and apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel to your cheek for short intervals. Avoid rinsing, spitting forcefully, drinking through a straw, or touching the extraction site with your fingers or tongue.
How should you manage pain after a tooth extraction?
Follow the pain management plan from your dentist or oral surgeon, who may recommend nonopioid medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen as a first choice for acute dental pain. Take pain relievers exactly as directed and contact the dental office if pain isn't manageable or gets significantly worse after initially improving.
How can you manage swelling and bruising after an extraction?
An ice pack wrapped in a towel can help during the early part of recovery, used for short periods as directed. Swelling should gradually improve, so contact your dentist if it increases, returns after improving, or is accompanied by fever, pus, or worsening pain.
Will you need antibiotics after a tooth extraction?
Antibiotics aren't necessary after every tooth extraction and may only be prescribed if there's an infection or another related concern. If prescribed, take them exactly as directed and never use leftover antibiotics or medication prescribed for someone else.
What can you eat after a tooth extraction?
Good options include yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, lukewarm soup, and well-cooked pasta. Avoid very hot, crunchy, hard, sticky, spicy, or seedy foods during the first few days, since small pieces can get trapped in the socket or disturb the healing clot.
When can you brush and floss after an extraction?
You can brush and floss your other teeth carefully, but should avoid brushing directly over the extraction site during the first 24 hours and use a soft-bristled toothbrush near the area. Don't poke the socket or try to remove material from it, and resume cleaning around the area gradually as it heals.
When can you rinse with warm salt water after an extraction?
Don't rinse your mouth on the day of the extraction unless your dentist specifically tells you to, since rinsing too early or forcefully may disturb the blood clot. After 24 hours, your dentist may recommend gentle warm salt water rinses, typically about half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water.
Can smoking cause dry socket?
Smoking and vaping can interfere with healing and increase the risk of dry socket, since suction may disturb the blood clot while tobacco and nicotine reduce blood flow to healing tissue. Signs of dry socket include pain that worsens a few days after extraction, pain spreading toward the ear or jaw, an empty-looking socket, or a bad taste or odor.
Is a white extraction site normal?
A white or yellow layer over the extraction site can be part of the normal healing process as new tissue develops, and color alone doesn't mean there's an infection or dry socket. Don't scrape, brush, or pick at the area, but contact your dentist if you also have worsening pain, increased swelling, fever, pus, or a persistent bad taste or odor.