Care after a tooth extraction

After a tooth extraction, the body immediately begins healing: a blood clot forms in the socket, protecting the bone and nerves underneath. Your main task in the first few days is to protect that clot.

For the first 24 hours, bite firmly on the sterile gauze for about 30–45 minutes after the procedure. Avoid rinsing, hot drinks, smoking, and drinking through a straw — pressure and heat can dislodge the clot. Rest with your head slightly raised and apply cold to the cheek in 15-minute intervals to limit swelling.

From the second day, you can rinse gently with warm salt water, 2–3 times a day, especially after meals. Choose soft, lukewarm foods — soups, purées, yogurt — and chew on the opposite side. Continue brushing as normal, gently avoiding the extraction site.

Moderate tenderness and slight swelling are normal in the first days and respond to the painkillers your dentist recommends. Call us immediately if the bleeding does not stop, if the pain intensifies after day three, or if a fever appears — these are signs that deserve a dentist's attention, not home management.

Every case is different: the instructions your dentist gives you at the end of the procedure always take priority over any general guide.