Aftercare Instructions for Adult Tooth Extraction

First 24 Hours

Do not rinse your mouth for 24 hours. Avoid spitting, smoking, or drinking through a straw for the next 24 hours. Protect the healing clot as much as possible to avoid the painful “dry socket” that can occur if the healing clot is dislodged. Avoid alcoholic beverages or mouthwash containing alcohol for 24 hours. NO STRENUOUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. This includes activities like heavy lifting, jogging, and aerobics.

Bleeding

Some bleeding is to be expected following the extraction. Use gauze and pressure (bite down lightly on the gauze). Change the gauze every 30 minutes, or as needed, until the bleeding has stopped, usually within 3-4 hours. Avoid hot liquids. After 24 hours, begin rinsing GENTLY with warm salt water 2–3 times a day or as needed. Be careful not to rinse the healing clot out. If you have hypertension, discuss with your dentist whether you should rinse with warm salt water.

Anesthetics

Your mouth will remain numb for a few hours after the extraction. Be careful not to bite your cheek, lip, or tongue. Do not eat any foods that require chewing while your mouth is numb. If the numbness does not go away in a few hours, contact your dentist.

Swelling

If you experience any swelling after the extraction, use a towel filled with ice against the affected area for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off. Drink plenty of liquids—avoid hot liquids and alcohol.

Food/Eating

A soft diet is advisable for the first 24 hours. After that, use good judgment. If it hurts to eat something, try something different. You may brush the unaffected areas, and you should be able to brush the affected area after a day or two.

Bony Edges

After teeth are extracted, you may feel sliver-like projections in the mouth. These are not part of the tooth or roots but small pieces of bone that may work their way out. This is not abnormal. If this occurs and is uncomfortable, please contact the office.

Medication

You should take the full prescription. If pain medication is prescribed, take it only as long as needed. If you have mild discomfort, take Advil every 4 hours.

When to Call the Dentist

If you experience any of the following, call your dentist immediately:

  • Fever, nausea, or vomiting
  • Ongoing or severe pain, swelling, or bleeding
  • Pain that worsens with time instead of improving

Follow-up

If you have any sutures that require removal, your dentist will tell you when to return to the office.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call the office.

FAQ

Adults may need tooth extractions for various reasons, including severe tooth decay, gum disease, tooth infection, or trauma. Wisdom teeth extractions are also common to prevent overcrowding or other dental issues.

Stick to soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and soups for the first few days. Avoid hot, spicy, crunchy, or hard foods that could irritate the extraction site. Gradually reintroduce solid foods as you heal.

Initial healing usually takes 1-2 weeks, during which the gum tissue heals over the extraction site. Full recovery, including bone healing, can take several months. Most people can return to normal activities within a few days, but you should avoid strenuous activities for at least 24 hours.

Common risks include dry socket, where the blood clot is dislodged, leading to pain and delayed healing. Other risks include infection, excessive bleeding, and damage to surrounding teeth or nerves. Following your dentist’s aftercare instructions can minimize these risks.

A dry socket occurs when the blood clot at the extraction site is dislodged or dissolves, exposing the underlying bone and nerves. This can cause severe pain and delay healing. Symptoms of a dry socket include intense pain that radiates to the ear or eye, an unpleasant taste, and bad breath. If you suspect you have a dry socket, it’s crucial to call our office immediately so we can pack the area with medication and absorbable gauze to promote healing and provide relief from pain.

Over-the-counter pain relievers like Ibuprofen (Advil) and Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help manage pain and reduce inflammation. We recommend alternating between the two for optimal relief:

  1. Start with 600mg of Ibuprofen
  2. After 3 hours, take 650mg of Acetaminophen
  3. After 3 hours, take 600mg of Ibuprofen
  4. Repeat steps 1-3 as necessary.

*Do not take it if you are allergic to any Ibuprofen, aspirin or Tylenol products.

*Do not combine with any products over the counter that may contain acetaminophen.

*Maximum daily dose for Tylenol is 3250mg.

*Maximum daily dose for ibuprofen is 2400mg.        

Progressive Dental
Smile Plan

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Make your smile a
priority today

Progressive Dental
Smile Plan

Learn More

Make your smile a
priority today