Aftercare after a tooth extraction
Quick answer
What should I do after a tooth extraction?
Bite on the gauze as instructed, rest, and avoid rinsing, spitting, smoking and drinking through a straw for the rest of the day.
York House Dental Practice in West Byfleet will send you home with written aftercare. Call 01932 348864 if bleeding soaks the pack, swelling worsens after day three, or pain suddenly increases.
What you need to know
The socket needs a stable blood clot. Rinsing hard, drinking through a straw or smoking can dislodge it and leave a painful dry socket. Soft, cool food is easier on day one. Start gentle salt-water rinses the following day if we have asked you to.
Pain should trend down, not spike. Antibiotics are not automatic. If you were given them, finish the course. If swelling, fever or difficulty swallowing appears, phone us the same day.
Wisdom teeth and surgical extractions follow the same principles with a slightly longer recovery. Read the treatment page for how we plan the visit, including sedation for nervous patients.
Last reviewed: by Dr Kaveet Patel, Principal Dentist
