Surgery: Post-Extraction Care Guidelines
Practical care instructions covering diet, pain management, hygiene, and socket healing after tooth extraction.
- 01.Do not eat or drink for 2 hours following the extraction. Do not rinse your mouth.
- 02.Apply a cold compress externally to the cheek for the first 2 hours (15–20 min on, 5–10 min off).
- 03.To control minor bleeding: bite gently on a sterile gauze/swab moistened in saline solution (1 tsp salt per glass of water) for 5–10 minutes.
- 04.Swelling is a natural surgical response that may peak over the first 2–3 days and resolve within 4–6 days.
- 05.Diet: Avoid hot food on the day of surgery. Eat warm liquid and soft foods (soups, purées, porridge, juices) chewing strictly on the opposite side for 3–6 days.
- 06.Strictly avoid smoking and alcohol for at least 48–72 hours.
- 07.Oral hygiene: Brush remaining teeth carefully after meals, avoiding the extraction site for 5–10 days. Clean adjacent teeth gently with a cotton swab soaked in 0.05% chlorhexidine.
- 08.Do not vigorously rinse or spit for 7 days to preserve the vital blood clot within the socket.
- 09.Avoid strenuous exercise, lifting, hot baths, and saunas for at least 3 days. Sleep with your head elevated on an extra pillow for the first 2 nights.
- 10.Take medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor (non-aspirin analgesics as directed). Non-resorbable sutures are typically removed on day 7.
