Aftercare Tooth Extraction

• Bite on gauze for 30 mins.

• If still bleeding (bright red), change gauze and bite another 30 mins.

• Repeat until only light oozing/dark clot.

• Don’t worry – blood mixed with saliva may look more than it is.

• Do not rinse or spit forcefully for 24 hours.
• Avoid smoking, alcohol, and using a straw for at least 48 hours.
• Don’t poke the wound with your tongue or fingers.
• Avoid hot food and drinks for the first day.

• Use ice pack: 20 mins on / 10 mins off for first 24 hrs (while awake).
• After 24 hrs → switch to warm compress.

• Don’t blow nose for 1 week.
• Sneeze with mouth open to protect sinuses.

• Don’t brush the area for 24 hrs.
• Brush other teeth as usual.
• After 24 hrs, rinse gently with salt water (½ tsp salt + 1 cup warm water).
• No alcohol mouthwash.

• Rest well.
• Avoid heavy exercise for 1–2 days.

• You may still feel numb from the injection given during tooth extraction.
• Be careful not to bite your cheeks or tongue.
• Numbness will wear off in a few hours.
• You might notice slight numbness around your chin for a short while – this is normal.

Day 1–2: Mild bleeding, swelling, and discomfort.

Day 3–5: Pain/swelling reduce, clot stabilises.

Day 7: Stitches (if any) may be removed.

2 weeks: Most healing completed.

• Heavy bleeding that doesn’t stop after 24 hours.
• Severe pain that worsens instead of improving.
• Signs of infection: fever, pus, foul taste/odor.
• Persistent swelling after 1 week.