Tooth Extraction recovery and healing: What to Expect and How to Care for Yourself

After having a tooth extracted by a dentist, it's normal to experience some discomfort and swelling at the extraction site. Here's what you can expect in the days following your procedure and what you can do to help ensure a smooth recovery.

You can read our complete guide on the extraction procedure and post-operative instructions here.

Immediately after the extraction

Immediately following the extraction, your dentist will place a gauze pad over the extraction site and ask you to bite down firmly for 5-10 minutes. This helps to stop any bleeding. You may experience some bleeding for the first 24 hours, which can be controlled by biting down on a gauze pad for about 30 minutes at home. If you don’t have a gauze pad then a rolled up handkerchief or cloth will do.

After the appointment

You'll also want to avoid smoking, drinking through a straw, and eating hard or crunchy foods for the first day or two, as these can dislodge the blood clot that forms in the extraction site and delay healing. You should also avoid brushing or flossing the extraction site for the first 24 hours.

You may experience some swelling and bruising in the area, and it's normal to have some discomfort or pain. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed by your dentist and apply an ice pack to the area for the first 24 hours to help reduce swelling.

It's also important to rest for the first day or two, and to avoid strenuous activities that could increase your blood pressure and bleeding.

Returning to normal

You will be able to return to your normal routine after the first day or two, but be sure to take it easy for the first few days following the extraction. After your extraction appointment, you should be able to return to work, although you may find it easier to rest for the day.

You can generally expect to feel back to normal within a week. However, if you experience severe pain, heavy bleeding, or signs of infection, please get in touch with your dentist or one of our online dentists immediately.

We hope this helps give you an idea of what to expect after tooth extraction. If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us and speak to one of our online dentists. We're here to help you have a smooth and comfortable recovery.