Tooth Extraction Aftercare Guide

Preparing for a tooth extraction? You’re in good hands. The dental team at Great Salt Plains Health is experienced and hopes to make this process as smooth as possible. In fact, surgical tooth extraction (also referred to as “pulling a tooth” or “having a tooth pulled”) is the most common surgical procedure in the United States. 

For many people, the procedure is much less invasive than they initially thought, and they are soon on a quick road to recovery. Here’s more info to help you prepare for your upcoming extraction and how to care for your mouth after the procedure. 

Reasons for Tooth Extraction 

When your dental provider mentions that you may need a tooth pulled, it’s understandable to disengage a little as you digest that information. While permanent (adult) teeth are meant to last throughout adulthood, sometimes, tooth removal is required. In case you missed the explanation from your dentist, here are a few reasons a tooth extraction may be necessary. 

  • Tooth injury 

  • Severe decay 

  • Crowded teeth 

  • Tooth fracture 

  • Severe gum disease 

  • Infection or risk of infection in the pulp 

What Happens When a Tooth is Pulled? 

On the day of your extraction, your dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the gums and the area where the tooth will be removed. They will then use their dental instruments to loosen, lift and remove the tooth from the mouth. If the tooth is impacted or otherwise difficult to remove, they may need to cut away some gums or break the tooth into smaller pieces to remove it. However, rest assured that you should not feel pain or discomfort from the extraction. 

Immediately following the extraction, your dentist will place gauze into the extraction area to stop bleeding in the tooth socket. It’s common for the dentist to ask you to bite down on the gauze to apply pressure and help the blood clot and slow or stop bleeding.  

Post-Op - What To Do After Having a Tooth Pulled 

First and most importantly, you should follow the dentist's instructions for you following the tooth removal appointment. If the dentist provides specific instructions, follow those directions before anything else. 

In the day or two after having your tooth pulled, be sure to focus on these things: 

  • Minimize your pain by taking the prescribed medicine regimen. That may include prescription, over-the-counter, or other pain management techniques. 

  • Use gauze to help stop bleeding and aid in clotting. In the hours following your extraction, you’ll want to make sure that you change out the gauze every couple of hours and keep pressure on them until the bleeding has stopped. 

  • Plan to rest. After having your tooth pulled, you must plan to take the rest of the day off work, school, or other physical activities. We recommend avoiding physical activity for at least 48 hours. Resting well helps your body recover and promote healing. 

There are other things to remember following the tooth removal procedure. Do the following to make sure your tooth extraction can heal effectively. 

  • DO - take the prescribed antibiotic and/or pain medication exactly as prescribed. 

  • DO - Keep the extraction site and your mouth clean. The day after the extraction, you will want to regularly rinse your mouth with warm salt water to keep the site clean. 

  • DO - Eat soft and healthy foods like applesauce or soup.

  • DO - Prop your head up while resting. This helps with blood clotting. 

  • DO - Brush and floss your teeth gently, but avoid the extraction area. 

  • DO - Ice your jaw occasionally throughout the first two days to keep swelling at bay. 

Post-Op - What NOT To Do After Having a Tooth Pulled 

After having a tooth pulled, there are nearly as many “don’ts” as “dos” to keep in mind to aid in your healing. These may be a few of the things your dentist asks you to avoid after the procedure. 

  • DON’T - Use a straw for drinking for at least three days after the procedure. 

  • DON’T - Eat chips, popcorn, berries with tiny seeds, or nuts for at least three days. 

  • DON’T - Smoke after your tooth removal procedure. Smoking can interfere with the extraction site and delay healing. 

  • DON’T - Engage in intense physical activity for at least a few days after your procedure. 

  • DON’T - Drink alcohol or use alcohol-containing toothpaste for at least a day after having your tooth pulled. 

  • DON’T - Try your hardest not to spit forcefully after the procedure. This may cause your blood clot to loosen. 

How Long Does Recovery from a Tooth Extraction Take 

For most patients, the initial recovery will take just a few days before you feel back to normal and can carry on with your normal activities. Resting and healing should be your top priority for the 48 hours after having your tooth pulled. 

While you will feel better within a few days, the extraction site will take a couple of weeks to heal completely. Just like having surgery elsewhere in your body, your mouth requires time to heal as new bone and gum tissue grow. 

For many patients, the extraction is just one of the first steps to a healthy, beautiful smile. The extraction will leave a gap in your teeth, and if it was not removed for crowding, you might need a dental implant. If you plan to have a dental implant placed following your tooth extraction, the placement of your new implant will occur at a later appointment. Usually, we will schedule these a month or so after the extraction. 

Risks of Complications (and When to Call Your Dentist)

As with most medical procedures, there are some slight risks of complications when you have a tooth pulled. During the week or two following your tooth extraction procedure, your mouth will still be healing. Over that time, your pain and symptoms should improve as your mouth heals.

However, if you experience any of the following in the days following your tooth extraction, please contact your dentist immediately. 

  • Increased or large amounts of bleeding or blood in your saliva, especially after the first day following the operation 

  • A fever over 101 degrees. A fever can be associated with infection. 

  • Increasing pain or swelling. As you heal, your pain and swelling should decrease, not increase. 

  • Nausea or vomiting 

  • Drainage, swelling, or pus at the site of the extraction 

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described above after a tooth extraction, please immediately contact your Great Salt Plains Health dental provider.  


Caring for your oral health after a tooth extraction procedure is incredibly important. Great Salt Plains Health dental providers are passionate about helping patients before, during, and after pulling a tooth to ensure the best outcomes for our patients. Having an extraction shouldn’t feel scary; we’ll be here with you every step of the way. Contact our team today to schedule your dental consultation.

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