Extraction After Care

Simple steps to protect the extraction site, support healing
and know when it is time to contact your dentist.

Having a tooth removed is only the first part of the process.
What you do afterwards can play an important role in how comfortably
and smoothly the extraction site heals.

Some bleeding, tenderness and swelling can be expected after a tooth
extraction. During the early stages of recovery, one of the most
important priorities is allowing a stable blood clot to form in the
socket where the tooth was removed.

Every extraction is different. A straightforward extraction and a
surgical wisdom tooth removal may have very different recovery needs,
so the specific instructions given to you by your dentist or oral
surgeon should always take priority over general advice.

Protect the blood clot. After an extraction, a blood clot normally
forms in the socket and helps protect the underlying bone and nerves
while healing begins. Avoid unnecessarily touching or disturbing
the extraction site.

The first day is particularly important because the extraction site is
beginning the early stages of healing.

During the first day:

• Rest and take it easy.
• Bite gently on the gauze as instructed by your dentist.
• Avoid touching the extraction site with your fingers or tongue.
• Avoid vigorous rinsing or forceful spitting.
• Avoid strenuous exercise or heavy physical activity.
• Choose soft foods and avoid very hot food and drinks.
• Follow all medication and aftercare instructions provided by your dentist.

Control Bleeding With Gentle Pressure

A small amount of bleeding or blood-stained saliva can occur after
an extraction.

Your dentist will usually place gauze over the extraction site and
ask you to bite down gently but firmly. The pressure helps control
bleeding and allows the blood clot to stabilise.

Avoid repeatedly removing the gauze simply to check the area, as
unnecessarily disturbing the site can interfere with clot formation.
Follow the instructions your dentist has given you about when to
remove or replace the gauze.

Manage Pain and Swelling

Some soreness and swelling are common after a tooth extraction,
particularly after a more complex or surgical procedure.

Take pain relief only as directed by your dentist, doctor or
pharmacist and follow any instructions provided with your medication.
If your dentist has recommended a cold pack, use it according to
their instructions.

What matters is how your symptoms progress. Pain that becomes severe,
persistent or noticeably worse after initially improving should be
discussed with your dentist.

Choose foods that are easy to eat and unlikely to disturb the extraction
site. Chewing away from the area can also make eating more comfortable
during the early recovery period.

Gentler choices

• Soft, easy-to-chew foods
• Mashed vegetables
• Yoghurt
• Eggs
• Soft pasta
• Other foods recommended by your dentist

Be cautious with

• Hard or crunchy foods
• Sharp foods that may irritate the socket
• Very hot food and drinks
• Foods that are difficult to chew
• Anything your dentist has specifically advised you to avoid

Keep Your Mouth Clean, But Be Gentle

Oral hygiene remains important during recovery, but the extraction
site needs to be treated carefully.

Continue cleaning the rest of your mouth as instructed, taking care
around the extraction area. Do not scrub or poke the socket.

Your dentist will tell you when it is appropriate to clean closer
to the extraction site and whether you should use any particular
rinsing method during recovery.

Be Careful With Rinsing and Spitting

Vigorous rinsing or forceful spitting can disturb the extraction
site during the early stages of healing.

Follow the specific instructions given by your dentist regarding
when to begin rinsing and what type of rinse to use. When rinsing
is recommended, it should generally be done gently rather than
aggressively.

Avoid Smoking and Vaping During Healing

Smoking can interfere with healing and is a recognised risk factor
for dry socket.

Vaping may also interfere with oral healing, so it is sensible to
avoid both smoking and vaping while the extraction site is healing
and to follow the timeframe recommended by your dentist.

Take a Break From Strenuous Exercise

Heavy exercise and strenuous activity should be avoided during the
early recovery period.

Your dentist can advise when it is appropriate to return to your
normal exercise routine, particularly if you have had a surgical or
complicated extraction.

Dry socket, also known as alveolar osteitis, is a painful complication
that can occur after a tooth has been removed.

Why does the blood clot matter?

Normally, a blood clot forms inside the empty tooth socket and
protects the bone and nerves underneath. If the clot does not form
properly or is lost too early, these tissues can become exposed.
This can result in significant pain and delayed healing.

It is normal for an extraction site to feel sore. Dry socket, however,
typically causes much more intense pain. The pain may begin or become
significantly worse within the first few days after the extraction and
may radiate towards the ear or other areas on the same side of the face.

Other possible signs can include an unpleasant taste or bad breath.
If you think you may have dry socket, contact your dentist rather than
trying to treat the socket yourself.

Healing time varies considerably from person to person and depends on
factors such as which tooth was removed, whether the extraction was
straightforward or surgical, your general health and how well the area
is able to heal.

The gum can begin healing relatively quickly, but the deeper socket and
underlying bone take longer to heal. This is why the area may still be
healing even when it already feels much better.

Rather than focusing on a single recovery deadline, follow your dentist's
instructions and pay attention to whether your symptoms are generally
improving.

Some discomfort after an extraction is expected. However, certain
symptoms should be assessed rather than ignored.

Contact your dental clinic if you experience:

• Heavy bleeding or bleeding that does not settle
• Severe or persistent pain
• Pain that becomes significantly worse a few days after the extraction
• Swelling that is getting worse rather than improving
• A temperature of 38°C or higher
• Bad breath or an unpleasant taste together with significant pain
• Any symptom that concerns you or feels different from the recovery you were expecting

✓ do

• Follow your dentist's specific instructions
• Rest after your extraction
• Use gauze as instructed
• Choose soft foods initially
• Keep the rest of your mouth clean
• Be gentle around the extraction site
• Take medication only as directed
• Contact your dentist if something does not feel right

✕ avoid

• Touching or poking the socket
• Vigorous rinsing during early healing
• Forceful spitting
• Smoking and vaping
• Strenuous exercise during early recovery
• Very hot food and drinks initially
• Hard or sharp foods around the extraction site
• Ignoring severe or worsening symptoms

Remember: These are general aftercare guidelines.
Your extraction may require different instructions depending on the
tooth removed, the complexity of the procedure, your medical history
and other individual factors. Always follow the specific advice
provided by your dentist or oral surgeon.

Tooth extraction recovery does not need to be complicated. During the
early stages, focus on protecting the extraction site, keeping your mouth
clean without disturbing the socket, eating appropriately and giving
your body time to recover.

Most importantly, do not ignore symptoms that are severe, worsening or
concerning. Your dental team can assess the extraction site and determine
whether additional care is needed.

If you have recently had a tooth removed and are concerned about
pain, bleeding, swelling or how the area is healing, contact our team
at Leederville Dental for advice.