After Your Surgical Extraction
A tooth was removed surgically today, often including stitches. Healing takes a couple of weeks, and what you do in the first 24–48 hours has the biggest impact on how comfortably you recover.
Quick reference
- Bite firmly on the gauze for 30–45 minutes
- Replace if needed
- A pink-tinged saliva for a day is normal — heavy bleeding is not
- To protect the healing clot, do not rinse, spit, suck through a straw, or smoke for at least 24 hours
- These can dislodge the healing clot and cause a painful 'dry socket
- ' Use a cold pack on the outside of your face — 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off — for the first day to limit swelling
- Sleep with your head slightly elevated for the first night or two
- From day 2: gentle warm salt-water rinses (½ tsp salt in a cup of warm water) 3–4 times a day, especially after eating
- Soft, lukewarm foods only for the first 24–48 hours
- Avoid anything hot, crunchy, or spicy until the area calms down
- Brush your other teeth normally; keep the brush away from the surgical site for the first day
Questions about your treatment?
We are always happy to explain. Call the clinic during opening hours, or book a visit online.