Tooth Extraction Aftercare

Having a tooth removed is a common dental procedure. How well you heal depends largely on what you do after the extraction. This guide is an extremely in depth article that explains what is normal, how to care for the area, and when to call your dentist.

Table of Contents

What Happens After a Tooth Is Removed?

When a tooth is extracted, a space called the extraction socket is left behind. The body immediately begins healing through three main phases:

1. Hemostasis (Stopping the Bleeding)

Hemostasis means stopping bleeding.
Your body forms a blood clot inside the socket made of platelets and fibrin. This clot:

Protects the underlying bone and nerves
Acts as a scaffold for new tissue
Is essential for normal healing

⚠️ If the clot is lost too early, healing is delayed and pain increases. This is known as a dry socket.

2. Inflammation (Normal Healing Response)

Inflammation is the body’s natural defense response. It causes:

Pain
Swelling
Redness
Warmth

These signs are normal and expected after an extraction.

Inflammation helps:

Prevent infection
Remove damaged tissue
Begin tissue repair

This phase is strongest during the first 2–3 days.

3. Tissue Repair and Remodeling

Over the following weeks:

Granulation tissue (new healing tissue) replaces the blood clot
Bone slowly fills in the socket
Gum tissue closes over the area at a rate of 1mm per day

Complete bone healing takes several months, even if you feel normal much sooner.

Aftercare Instructions

Eating After a Tooth Extraction

First 24–48 Hours

Soft foods (yogurt, mashed potatoes, soup)
Cool or room-temperature foods
Plenty of fluids

Avoid

Crunchy or hard foods
Chewing on the extraction side
Hot foods in the first 24 hours
Alcohol (especially with medications)

Oral Hygiene and Rinsing

Keeping the area clean reduces infection risk.

Brushing

Continue brushing all other teeth
Avoid brushing directly over the socket for several days

Rinsing

Begin saltwater rinses after 24 hours
- Reduces bacteria
- Promotes healing
Avoid aggressive rinsing

⚠️ Strong mouthwashes can irritate healing tissue unless prescribed.

Pain Management

Pain after extraction depends on:

The difficulty of the extraction
Whether bone was removed
Tooth position (lower molars tend to hurt more)

Medications to Take

NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) such as ibuprofen reduce both pain and inflammation. Maximum dosage of ibuprofen is 400-600mg every 4-6 hours for a maximum of 2.4g per day
Acetaminophen helps with pain but not inflammation. Maximum dosage of acetaminophen is 500-1,000mg every 4-6 hours for a maximum of 4g per day
Codiene Stronger medication may be prescribed for surgical extractions typically a mixture of acetaminophen and codiene.

⚠️ NSAIDs can slightly increase bleeding—take only as directed.

Typical Complications of Tooth Extractions and How to Manage Them

Bleeding After Extraction

What’s Normal

Light oozing for up to 72 hours
Blood mixed with saliva (appears pink)

What to Do

Bite firmly on gauze for 30–60 minutes
Maintain constant pressure—don’t check repeatedly
Keep your head elevated

Why bleeding restarts

Bleeding usually restarts when the hemostatic plug (early clot) is disturbed by:

Spitting
Rinsing too hard
Smoking
Chewing hard foods

📞 Call your dentist if bleeding is heavy or does not stop with pressure.

Swelling and Bruising

Swelling occurs because inflammation increases fluid movement into the tissues.

Normal pattern

Begins within hours
Peaks at 2–3 days
Gradually improves afterward

Cold Therapy (First 48–72 Hours)

Ice packs reduce swelling by causing vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) to reduce bruising in the area
Apply 20 minutes on / 20 minutes off

Heat Therapy (After Day 3)

Heat increases circulation and reduces stiffness allowing for healing to cocur
Helps with bruising and jaw tightness

Trismus (Jaw Stiffness)

Trismus means limited mouth opening.
It occurs when the muscles of mastication (chewing muscles) become inflamed or irritated.

Common causes

Prolonged mouth opening during surgery
Surgical trauma
Swelling near jaw muscles

Management

Warm compresses after day 3
Gentle jaw stretching
Soft diet

Trismus usually resolves within 1–2 weeks.

More Serious (But Less Likely) Complications

Dry Socket (Alveolar Osteitis)

Dry socket, also called alveolar osteitis, is a painful condition caused by premature loss of the blood clot.

When it occurs

Usually 3–4 days after extraction

Symptoms

Severe, throbbing pain
Pain radiating to ear, temple, or neck
Bad taste or odor
Empty-looking socket with exposed bone

Risk factors

Smoking or vaping
Oral contraceptive use
Difficult or traumatic extractions
Poor aftercare

Dry socket is not an infection, and will heal on its own, but extreme pain may require professional treatment.

Infection After Extraction

The mouth contains many bacteria, so extractions are considered clean-contaminated wounds.

Warning signs

Worsening pain after day 4
Increasing swelling
Fever
Pus or foul discharge
Difficulty swallowing

Antibiotics are prescribed only when indicated, not routinely.

Numbness or Altered Sensation

Temporary numbness or tingling can occur if nearby nerves are irritated during the extraction process.

What’s normal

Mild tingling that improves over days

Call your dentist if:

Numbness persists beyond 24–48 hours
Sensation worsens

Most nerve disturbances resolve on their own.

Conclusion

Successful healing after a tooth extraction depends on protecting the extraction socket during the early healing phase and allowing the body’s normal repair process to proceed without disruption. The blood clot that forms immediately after removal is the foundation for healing, and activities such as smoking, spitting, using straws, or aggressive rinsing can dislodge it and significantly delay recovery. Pain, swelling, and jaw stiffness are expected in the first few days and should gradually improve; symptoms that worsen after this period, persistent bleeding, fever, or numbness are not normal and require prompt dental evaluation. Most post-extraction complications are preventable when aftercare instructions are followed closely, and early communication with your dental provider ensures faster, simpler management if concerns arise.

Disclaimer

The contents of this website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be substituted for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nothing on this website constitutes the practice of medicine, law or any other regulated profession.

No two mouths are the same, and each oral situation is unique. As such, it isn’t possible to give comprehensive advice or diagnose oral conditions based on articles alone. The best way to ensure you’re getting the best dental care possible is to visit a dentist in person for an examination and consultation.