Advice for After Tooth Extraction | How to Care for a Tooth Extraction | Trusted, Friendly Cosmetic & General Dental Treatment with Same Day Appointments for the Whole Family | Emergency Dental Treatment Near Bramhall, Didsbury, Alderley Edge, Heald Green, Gatley, Wythenshawe, Handforth, Wilmslow Park, Woodford, Poynton, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Manchester

Dentist explaining dental care to a smiling female patient in a clinic.

Freedom Dental's post extraction guide

I’ve had my tooth out, what should I do now?

Take it easy for the rest of the day. Rest as much as you can and don’t do anything too strenuous or any exercise. Keep your head up to avoid any bleeding.

What precautions should I take?

Avoid hot food or drinks until the anaesthetic wears off. This is important as you cannot feel pain properly and may burn or scald your mouth. Also, be careful not to chew your cheek — this is a common problem which can happen when you can’t feel your mouth.

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When lying down, try to keep your head higher for the first night using an extra pillow. It’s also a good idea to use an old pillowcase or put a towel on the pillow in case you bleed a little.

Should I rinse my mouth out?

Don’t rinse the area for the first 24 hours as it can stop the socket from healing and forming a healthy blood clot to protect it. You should also be careful not to damage the blood clot by eating on that side or letting your tongue disturb it as it can allow infection into the socket and affect healing.

Is there anything else I should avoid?

Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours, as this can encourage bleeding and delay healing. Eat and drink lukewarm food as normal, but avoid chewing on that area of your mouth.

When should I brush my teeth?

Keeping your mouth clean after an extraction is important, so brush when you usually would. However, you do need to be careful around the extraction site and steer clear of brushing the socket for the first few days to avoid disturbing the blood clot.

What do I do if it bleeds?

The first thing to remember is there may be some slight bleeding for the first day or so. Many people are concerned about the amount of bleeding but there’s nothing to worry about — a small amount of blood mixes with a larger amount of saliva, making it look more dramatic than it is.

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If you do notice bleeding, do not rinse out, but apply pressure to the socket. Bite firmly on a folded piece of clean, dampened cotton material such as a handkerchief for at least 15 minutes. Make sure this is placed directly over the extraction site and that the pad is replaced if necessary. If the bleeding has not stopped after an hour or two, contact your dentist.

How soon can I have a cigarette?

It is important not to do anything to increase your blood pressure as it can lead to further bleeding. We recommend you avoid smoking for as long as you can after extraction, at the very least for the rest of the day.

Is there anything I can do to help my mouth?

Different people heal at different speeds after an extraction. Don’t rinse for the first 24 hours so your mouth can start healing.

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After that, keep your mouth and the extraction site as clean as possible, making sure that the socket is kept clear of all food and debris. Use a salt-water mouthwash (a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) to gently rinse after eating and/or a couple of times a day. Keep this up for at least a week or for as long as your dentist tells you. Keep your diet healthy and consider taking a Vitamin C supplement to help your mouth heal faster.

I am in pain, what should I take?

There will usually be some tenderness in the area for the first few days and in most cases, some simple, over-the-counter pain relief like paracetomal or Ibuprofen is enough to ease the discomfort. However, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and if in doubt, check with your doctor first. Do not take aspirin, as this may make your mouth bleed.

Are there any medicines I should avoid?

As we have said, it’s important not to use anything containing aspirin as this can cause further bleeding. This happens because aspirin can thin the blood slightly. Asthma sufferers should avoid Ibuprofen-based pain relief. Again, check with your dentist if you are worried or feel you need something stronger.

I am still in pain, what could it be?

Sometimes an infection can get in the socket, which can be very painful. This is where there is little or no blood clot in the tooth socket and the bony socket walls are exposed and become infected. This is called a dry socket and in some cases is worse than the original toothache! In this case, see your dentist, who may place a dressing in the socket and prescribe a course of antibiotics to help relieve the infection. You may also feel the sharp edge of the socket with your tongue and sometimes small pieces of bone may work their way to the surface of the socket. This is perfectly normal.

Will my dentist need to see me again?

If it has been a particularly difficult extraction, the dentist will give you a follow-up appointment. This could be to remove any stitches that were needed, or simply to check the area is healing well.

Aftercare for safe tooth extractions in Cheadle Hulme

Freedom Dental's post extraction guide

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Aftercare for safe tooth extractions in Cheadle Hulme

Freedom Dental's post extraction guide

Find us

Contact us

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Get in touch

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