Tooth Extraction Aftercare Instructions
Space Dental | Hawthorne, CA
Taking proper care of your mouth after a tooth extraction is important for comfortable healing and preventing complications such as infection or dry socket. Please follow these instructions carefully. If your dentist provides additional instructions for your specific procedure, follow those first.
đźš« NO SMOKING & NO DRINKING FROM A STRAW
Avoid smoking or vaping for at least 5 days and using straws for at least 24 hours. Smoking, suction, and heat can disturb the blood clot, delay healing, and increase the risk of dry socket.
Protecting the Blood Clot
For the first 24 hours, avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting, sucking through a straw, or touching the extraction site with your tongue, fingers, or utensils.
A healthy blood clot is essential for healing. Disturbing it may cause bleeding or a painful condition called dry socket. Chew on the opposite side of your mouth whenever possible.
Bleeding and Gauze
Bite firmly on the provided gauze for 30–45 minutes without repeatedly checking the area. If bleeding continues, replace it with fresh, slightly damp gauze and apply steady pressure for another 30 minutes.
Swallow your saliva instead of spitting, as repeated spitting can restart bleeding. Mild oozing or pink-colored saliva is normal during the first 24 hours.
Never sleep with gauze in your mouth. Contact our office if heavy bleeding continues despite applying firm pressure.
Pain, Swelling, and Bruising
Mild discomfort, swelling, jaw stiffness, and bruising are common after an extraction.
If you experience swelling or warmth around the surgical area, use a cold pack during the first 24–48 hours to help reduce swelling and discomfort.
Apply the cold pack for 20 minutes, followed by a 10–20 minute break. A bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel works too! Never place ice directly on your skin.
Swelling may peak around days 2–3. After the first 24–48 hours, a warm, moist compress may help relieve lingering jaw stiffness.
Take pain medications only as directed.
Antibiotics and Medications
If antibiotics are prescribed, begin taking them as directed and finish the prescribed course unless your clinician advises otherwise.
Only if your prescription specifically instructs you to do so, take 2 capsules or tablets for the first dose, followed by 1 every 6 hours. Not all antibiotics follow this schedule, so always check your prescription label.
Eat a light snack or meal before taking medication when permitted. Some medications must be taken on an empty stomach.
Contact our office if you experience a rash, severe diarrhea, or other medication concerns. Seek emergency care for difficulty breathing or swelling of the face or throat.
If You Received a Bone Graft
If a bone graft was placed during your extraction, you may notice a few small, sand-like particles coming out of the surgical area as you heal.
This can be normal and does not necessarily mean the bone graft has failed. Accidentally swallowing a few small particles is generally not a concern.
Eating and Drinking
For the first 1–2 days, stick to soft, cool, or lukewarm foods such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, or cooled soup.
Drink plenty of water and avoid hard, crunchy, sharp, very hot, or spicy foods that could irritate the extraction site.
Avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours and while taking medications that interact with alcohol.
Your lips, cheeks, or tongue may remain numb for several hours after treatment. Avoid chewing until the numbness wears off to prevent accidentally biting yourself.
Smoking, Vaping, and Physical Activity
Avoid smoking, vaping, tobacco, and marijuana during the healing process, for at least 5 days and ideally longer.
Rest on the day of your procedure and keep your head slightly elevated when lying down.
Avoid heavy lifting, intense exercise, or strenuous activities for approximately 3–4 days, or longer if your dentist recommends it.
Brushing and Salt-Water Rinses
Continue brushing your other teeth gently, but avoid scrubbing the extraction site.
Do not rinse vigorously or spit forcefully.
After the first 24 hours, begin gentle warm salt-water rinses after meals and before bedtime for approximately one week.
Mix ½ teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water. Gently move the water around your mouth, then lean over the sink and allow it to fall out without forceful spitting.
If you received a bone graft, follow any additional rinsing instructions provided by your dentist.
Do not use a Waterpik or irrigation syringe directly on the extraction site during the first week unless instructed otherwise.
Sutures, Jaw Soreness, and Sinus Precautions
If stitches were placed, they may dissolve naturally within approximately 7–10 days, or they may need to be removed during a follow-up appointment.
Some stitches may loosen or fall out naturally during healing. Do not pull or cut them yourself. Contact our office if stitches come out shortly after a bone graft or if the surgical wound opens.
Nearby teeth may temporarily feel sensitive, and your lips or mouth corners may become dry. Lip balm can help.
If an upper back tooth was extracted and your dentist provided sinus precautions, avoid blowing your nose or sneezing with your mouth closed for approximately one week, or as directed.
Irrigation After the First Week
For larger extraction sites, your dentist may provide a special irrigation syringe to help remove trapped food particles.
Only begin irrigation when specifically instructed by your dentist, generally not during the first week.
If instructed, gently flush the area with the recommended solution after meals and before bedtime. Never force the syringe into the extraction site.
When to Contact Space Dental
Please contact our office if you experience:
Heavy bleeding that continues despite applying firm pressure
Pain that becomes worse instead of improving after 2–3 days
Swelling that increases after day 3
Pus, persistent bad taste, or unpleasant odor
Persistent fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
Increasing jaw stiffness
Possible medication reactions
Numbness or altered sensation that persists after the anesthetic should have worn off, or new numbness
Seek urgent medical attention for uncontrolled bleeding, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or rapidly spreading swelling.
Questions About Your Recovery?
At Space Dental, we want you to feel comfortable and confident throughout your recovery. If you have any questions or concerns after your tooth extraction, please contact our office.
Space Dental
Hawthorne, California
Phone: (424) 348-2234
Your comfort, safety, and healthy recovery are our priorities.
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