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Tooth Extraction: Post-Operative Instructions

Sometimes, teeth need to be removed due to decay, disease, or trauma. When you get a tooth “pulled,” it’s called an extraction.

It’s natural that changes will occur in your mouth after the procedure. Here are some general guidelines to help promote healing, prevent complications, and make you more comfortable while you recover.

Follow all instructions from your dental team. This will help make sure that your mouth heals properly after your tooth is removed. These instructions will also help to lower your risk of having any problems while your mouth heals.

Bleeding

Your dentist may place a gauze pack on the extraction site to limit bleeding. This will also help a blood clot to form, which is necessary for normal healing. This gauze pack should be left in place for 30 to 45 minutes after you leave the dentist’s office.

Do not chew on the pack. There may be some bleeding or oozing after the pack is removed.

If so, here’s what to do:

  • Fold a piece of clean gauze into a pad thick enough to bite on. Dampen the pad with clean, warm water and place it directly on the extraction site.
  • Apply pressure by closing your teeth firmly over the pad. Maintain this pressure for about 30 minutes. If the pad becomes soaked with blood, replace it with a clean one.
  • Do not suck on the extraction site or disturb it with your tongue.
  • A slight amount of blood may leak from the extraction site until a clot forms. However, if heavy bleeding continues, call your dentist. (Remember, though, that a little bit of blood mixed with saliva can look like a lot of bleeding.)

Other reasons to replace missing teeth

Day of procedure:

  • Do not clean the teeth next to the healing tooth socket for the rest of the day.
  • You should still brush and floss your other teeth.
  • You can also brush your tongue. This can help get rid of the bad breath and unpleasant taste that are common after an extraction.

Day after procedure:

  • Begin cleaning the teeth next to the healing tooth socket.
  • Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water after meals to keep bits of food out of the extraction site.
  • To make a salt water rinse: mix half a teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water.
  • Try not to rinse your mouth too hard because this could loosen the blood clot. If you have high blood pressure, discuss with your dentist whether you should rinse with salt water.
  • Avoid using a mouthwash during this early healing period or until your dentist tells you when you are able to do so.

Take pain medication only as directed by your dentist

  • If your dentist has prescribed medicine to control pain and inflammation, or to prevent infection, use it only as directed.
  • If the pain medication prescribed does not seem to work for you, don’t take more pills or take them more often than directed — call your dentist.

Swelling and pain are normal after a tooth is removed

To help reduce swelling and pain:

  • try applying a cold compress to your face, like an ice pack or a cold, moist cloth
  • your dentist may give you specific instructions on how long and how often to use a cold compress

Call your dentist right away if you have any of these issues

  • fever, nausea, or vomiting
  • ongoing or severe pain, swelling, or bleeding
  • pain that gets worse with time instead of bette


If you cannot reach your dentist, go to a hospital emergency room.

Eating and drinking

Day of procedure:

  • Drink lots of liquids and eat soft, nutritious foods.
  • Avoid hot liquids and alcoholic beverages.
  • Do not use a straw, as this can disturb the blood clot.

Day after procedure:

  • Begin eating solid foods the next day or as soon as you can chew comfortably.
  • For the first few days, try to chew food on the side opposite the extraction site.
  • When it feels comfortable, you should resume chewing on both sides of your mouth.

Other things you should know

  • Avoid alcoholic beverages or mouthwash that has alcohol in it for 24 hours.
  • Limit physical activity like exercise or lifting heavy objects for 24 hours after the extraction. This will reduce bleeding and help the blood clot to form.
  • If you do get a dry socket, report it to your dentist right away. A dressing may be placed in the socket to protect it until the socket heals and to reduce any pain.

Do not disturb the blood clot that forms in the tooth socket!

The blood clot that forms in the tooth socket is an important part of the normal healing process. You should avoid doing things that might disturb the clot. If the blood clot is disturbed and breaks down, you can get a dry socket. Dry sockets can be extremely painful. To lower your risk of a dry socket, be very careful to not do anything that can disturb the clot.

For the first 24 hours, do not suck, spit, slurp, or any other action that creates suction in your mouth and puts pressure on your blood clot. This means:

  • Do not drink through a straw
  • Do not smoke (smoking can also prevent your gums from healing properly)
  • Do not suck on candy, popsicles, lollipops, etc.
  • Do not slurp up soups or other liquids
  • Do not rinse your mouth with too much force

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long to Keep Gauze in After Tooth Extraction?

Bite firmly on gauze pads placed directly over the extraction site for 20-30 minutes, replacing as needed. If bleeding persists beyond the first few hours, try biting on a moistened black tea bag for 30-45 minutes—tannic acid in tea helps promote blood clot formation. Avoid spitting, using straws, or vigorous rinsing during the first 24 hours, as these actions can dislodge the protective blood clot. Most bleeding stops within 2-3 hours after extraction. Light oozing or blood-tinged saliva is normal for 24-48 hours. Change gauze every 30 minutes as needed until bleeding stops. Contact White Pine Family Dental at (775) 825-6655 if you experience heavy bleeding beyond 6 hours.

Start with soft, cool foods immediately after extraction and gradually return to normal eating within 3-7 days. For the first 24-48 hours, stick to mashed potatoes, yogurt, smoothies, scrambled eggs, and pudding requiring minimal chewing. Avoid the extraction site when chewing. Gradually introduce slightly firmer foods like pasta, well-cooked vegetables, and fish as healing progresses. Avoid popcorn, nuts, seeds, rice, and chips for at least two weeks—these can lodge in the surgical area causing infection. Normal chewing function typically returns within one week, though complete bone healing takes 4-6 months. Stay hydrated but avoid alcohol and hot beverages for 24 hours. Don’t use straws—suction can dislodge the blood clot.

Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) occurs when the protective blood clot dislodges from the extraction site, exposing underlying bone and nerves—typically developing 3-4 days after extraction and causing severe, throbbing pain. Prevention is key: avoid smoking for at least 5 days (ideally longer), don’t use straws for one week, skip vigorous rinsing or spitting for 24 hours, and avoid touching the surgical area with your tongue or fingers. Women taking birth control pills have slightly higher risk. If you develop persistent, worsening pain around day 3-4, along with bad breath or unpleasant taste, you may have dry socket. This condition requires professional treatment—your dentist will place medicated dressing to relieve discomfort and promote healing. Schedule an appointment at White Pine Family Dental if symptoms develop.

Resume gentle tooth brushing the night of surgery or the next day, carefully avoiding the extraction site while maintaining hygiene for all other teeth. After 24 hours, begin warm salt water rinses (½ teaspoon salt in 8 ounces warm water) 3-4 times daily, especially after meals, to keep the area clean and promote healing. Don’t rinse during the first 24 hours—this can dislodge the blood clot. Be gentle when rinsing—swish lightly rather than vigorously. If your dentist provided an irrigating syringe, start using it one week after surgery to flush out food particles. The socket gradually closes from bottom up over 3-4 weeks, and you may notice food getting stuck during healing. Continue regular oral hygiene for all other teeth—good oral health accelerates recovery.

Contact White Pine Family Dental immediately if you experience heavy bleeding not stopping after applying pressure for 30-60 minutes, fever over 100.5°F (38°C), severe pain worsening after the third day, excessive swelling continuing to increase after 72 hours, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or signs of infection like pus discharge or foul odor. Additionally, seek prompt care if you develop numbness lasting beyond expected timeframe, allergic reaction to prescribed medications (rash, difficulty breathing, increased irritation), or notice hard, sharp fragments protruding from extraction site (likely bone fragments). Most post-extraction discomfort improves daily, so any worsening symptoms warrant professional evaluation. Emergency appointments are available—call (775) 825-6655 for immediate assistance or after-hours guidance.

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