Tooth extraction is one of the procedures that patients are most reluctant to undergo. The reasons for extraction may vary, but the post-extraction care advice remains the same. In some cases, everything goes smoothly without major trauma or painful consequences. However, sometimes patients remember the experience for many years. To help make the first few hours or days easier, we give patients printed instructions after each such procedure on how to care for themselves once they return home from the dental office.
Post-extraction care tips:
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Keep the gauze the dentist placed over the extraction site firmly pressed between your teeth for 20 minutes, then remove it.
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Do not eat anything until the anesthesia wears off, to avoid biting and injuring yourself.
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Avoid hot food and drinks for the first 24 hours.
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Do not rinse your mouth with any solutions, and do not swish liquids around in your mouth.
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Do not touch the wound with your tongue or fingers.
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If you had a surgical extraction, apply cold compresses to minimize swelling. Wrap ice or frozen vegetables in a cloth and apply them externally for 2–3 minutes. Then take a break for about 45 minutes. Repeat this several times on the first day. Swelling can appear within the first 48 hours, but cold compresses are only effective during the initial few hours.
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Maintain your oral hygiene. Clean the wound and any stitches (if present) with gauze or a cotton swab.
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Do not apply heat to the area, do not hold your hand or a tissue on it, and avoid sleeping on that side.
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Take painkillers as needed. It’s best to take what you usually use for headaches (Kafetin, Nimulid, Brufen…). Avoid medications containing acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin, Andol), as they can prolong bleeding.
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Take antibiotics only if prescribed by your dentist.
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If you experience prolonged bleeding, fever, pus, or pain that does not subside with painkillers, contact your dentist immediately.
Depending on your specific experience with tooth extraction, adjust these tips to your needs. This way, you’ll support a faster recovery with fewer complications. Your body will take care of the healing, and if needed, the extracted tooth can later be replaced.
