Care After Tooth Extraction

What you should do after a tooth extraction

• Take your painkillers as advised. Do not wait for the pain to set in before taking them.
• Keep firm pressure on the gauze padding placed in your mouth after surgery. This helps a blood clot to form, which is very important for healing. Remove the cotton gauze after 45 minutes.
• After the first 48 hours of surgery, gently rinse 3–4 times a day with warm salt water. Use 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of water.
• Do not spit forcefully because this can dislodge the newly formed blood clot.
• For the first 3–4 days after surgery, brush your teeth gently near the extraction site. Be careful not to brush too hard.
• If antibiotics have been prescribed, follow the instructions and complete the course.
• Swelling and sometimes bruising can occur, especially after wisdom tooth extraction. On the day of surgery, apply ice packs for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off. Keep your head elevated until bedtime.

What you should not do after a tooth extraction

• Do not rinse in the first 24 hours after surgery.
• Avoid exercising for the first 12–24 hours and avoid heavy lifting for 2–3 days.
• Keep your fingers and tongue away from the extraction site.
• Do not drink through a straw, spit, blow your nose or sneeze forcefully. These actions could cause the blood clot to dislodge.
• Try not to smoke for as long as possible after surgery. Smoking interferes with healing and the sucking action can dislodge the blood clot.
• Avoid alcohol.