Tooth Extraction

Day of surgery

• Keep the compresses in your mouth for 20 to 30 minutes, applying firm pressure. Change the pads every half hour, as needed.
• Keep your head elevated at all times.
• Apply ice to your cheek at regular intervals (20 minutes of ice every hour).
• If bleeding occurs, bite down on a gauze pad or lightly moistened tea bag for 20 minutes.
• Limit your physical activity. Rest.

Note that bleeding and coloured saliva are normal postoperative effects.

Don'ts

• Don’t dislodge the blood clot that has formed as it helps with the healing process.
• Eating before the bleeding stops.
• Drink through a straw for 48 to 72 hours.
• Rinsing your mouth or spiting for 48 to 72 hours.
• Smoking or drinking alcohol.
• Eating hard foods.
• Brushing near the area of the extracted tooth for the first 72 hours.

From the day after oral surgery to full recovery

• Rinse your mouth gently in your mouth with a warm salt water solution (2 ml or ½ tsp of salt in 250 ml or 1 cup of water).
• Brush your teeth and floss daily to remove plaque and ensure the best long-term results. Don’t brush near the area of the extracted tooth for the first 72 hours.
• Avoid hard foods (nuts, candy, ice).
• You may have trouble speaking and produce extra saliva. This should subside in a week.
• There may be some bruising on the skin. This will disappear in five to seven days.
• You may have trouble opening your mouth. This should diminish in four to five days.
• If the pain increases after three days, call our office.

Suggested diet following oral surgery

• Eat only soft foods or lukewarm liquids the day of the extraction. Resume your normal eating habits as soon as you are able.