Tooth Extraction Aftercare

Many patients are obliged to extract their teeth, so tooth extraction aftercare is of crucial importance. The extracted tooth site can heal sooner, and a patient who follows the tips discussed below can experience a shorter painless recovery period. These treatments are divided into two categories of primary care performed during the first 24 hours and general care until complete recovery.

First-day tooth extraction care

Gently squeeze the sterile gauze on the extracted tooth for at least half an hour and hold it for up to 4 hours. Then remove the gauze, rinse your mouth with cold water, and drink cold fruit juice or eat ice cream. Try to talk less the first night, especially in the first 4 hours after tooth extraction.

Do not brush that area the first night. For oral hygiene, rinse your mouth several times daily with lukewarm, dilute saltwater or saline solution several times a day without pumping. Brush the entire mouth except for the operated area and use chlorhexidine and benzydamine mouthwash every eight hours after the tooth extraction. Gently rinse the extraction site with a chlorhexidine-containing syringe.

Be careful not to bite the teeth-surrounding soft tissues (lips, cheeks, or tongue) due to anesthesia-induced numbness (usually lasting 3-4 hours).

In case of bleeding, place a piece of moist sterile gauze over the extracted tooth site, gently close the mouth and put an ice pack on your face over the area. If bleeding exacerbates, avoid using any other medication or substance on the site and visit the clinic.

Take acetaminophen for pain relief and avoid anti-inflammatory painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen because they worsen bleeding. Breakdown of the stitches does not impose a problem. Put an ice pack on the face for ten minutes every ten minutes for 24 hours. Continue your medications for other medical problems.

Avoid heavy work and lowering head for two days after tooth extraction; avoid hot foods and eat cold or lukewarm foods; avoid exercise, swimming, and sauna; raise your head slightly when sleeping.

Eat nutritious meals and drink plenty of fluids between meals. Eat soft foods and avoid chips, nuts, and similar snacks. Avoid touching the surgical site and the sutures with your tongue.

Take your medications on time as directed by the specialist.

Tooth extraction aftercare until complete recovery

Avoid frequent sucking and spitting. Avoid hard foods and drinks. Avoid smoking and using straws for drinking liquids for a few days after tooth extraction.

Leakage of some blood from the extracted tooth is expected for 1-2 days and does not require a dental visit. In case of swelling or infection, contact the clinic.

Occasionally, the blood clot formed at the extracted tooth site is dislodged after 2-3 days and results in a dry socket complication. This condition is accompanied by relatively severe pain and should be examined by the dentist. The mouth tastes terrible and has an unpleasant odor for a few days after tooth extraction; this is normal and not a sign of infection.

A day after tooth extraction, apply a warm moist compress on the face for 20 min every 20 min because tooth extraction may cause facial swelling and bruising, which can be resolved with a hot water bag. The mouth may open difficultly, which will be relieved after using a hot water bag. The mouth may smell and taste bad for about a week.

In case of stitching, the sutures should be removed a week after tooth extraction at the clinic.

Main reasons for tooth extraction

Extensive caries, tooth fracture (crown and root), orthodontics, prosthesis, primary teeth, impacted teeth, economic reasons

• Bleeding and blood leakage is normal after tooth surgery and extraction for a few hours. Do not change the gauze in less than 15 minutes. Contact the office if bleeding continues.
• Avoid rinsing the mouth on the day of surgery. Rinse your mouth with dilute saltwater or the prescribed mouthwash the next day. Do not brush your teeth for up to 24 hours.
• Swelling and pain are expected after surgery, but contact the office if they continue and if the mouth stinks.
• Avoid smoking for at least 48 hours after tooth surgery.
• Regularly take medicines prescribed before or after tooth extraction by the dentist.
• Inform the dentist about your previous or current illnesses to take the necessary measures.

• Take care of children because they may bite their cheek due to prolonged numbness up to 3-4 hours after tooth extraction.