Tooth Extraction Recovery Guide

You have undergone a tooth extraction. A blood clot is now forming in the extraction socket and this is essential for normal healing.

What to Expect After the Procedure

Pain

You can expect some discomfort once the local anaesthetic wears off. Pain typically increases over the first 2–3 days and then gradually improves. This can be controlled with regular use of ibuprofen and paracetamol.

Bleeding

Light oozing is expected for the first 24 hours. Blood from the socket mixes with the saliva.

Avoid rinsing your mouth out for 24 hours. Try to minimise spitting out – blood-stained saliva is safe to swallow.

If required, bite firmly on damp gauze placed over the socket for 20–30 minutes while sitting upright to control bleeding.

Swelling

Swelling of the cheek and jaw is common. This typically continues to increase for 3 days after the procedure before gradually subsiding. Swelling is often associated with stiffness and reduced mouth opening.

Sleep more upright using several extra pillows covered with a towel for the first few nights, in order to help the swelling resolve more quickly.

Bruising

Bruising of the cheek or jaw may occur and may appear after several days. This resolves naturally over several weeks, and may travel down into the neck with gravity.

Taste

A mild unpleasant taste is common during early healing and improves as the socket recovers.

Limit use of chlorhexidine mouthwash (e.g. Corsodyl) to 14 days, as prolonged use can alter the sense of taste.

Sensation Changes

The area may feel numb or altered initially due to the local anaesthetic. Be careful to only eat soft, cool things during this period so as not to burn or bite yourself without reaslising it.

Temporary altered sensation of the lip, chin, or tongue may occur after extractions and usually improves with time, sometimes over the course of 3-18 months.

Recovery Timeline (Approximate)

Days 1–3: Pain and swelling increase
Days 4–7: Gradual improvement
1-2 weeks: Significant recovery
2-3 weeks: Any stitches have typically fallen out
Healing of the socket continues over several weeks

How to Maximise Healing after a Tooth Extraction

The most important factor in recovery is protecting the blood clot within the socket.

Important: Dry Socket Risk

Dry socket occurs when the blood clot is lost prematurely, leading to exposed bone and increasing pain, typically 3–5 days after surgery.
To reduce this risk, for the first 5 days:

Do not smoke or vape
Do not use straws
Avoid vigorous rinsing
Avoid forceful spitting

Failure to follow these instructions significantly increases the risk of dry socket.

💊 Pain Relief

Take pain medication immediately (before the local anaesthetic wears off) and continue regularly, regardless of pain levels, for the first few days. Do not wait until pain becomes severe.

🚭 Smoking & Vaping

Do not smoke or vape for 7 days following tooth extraction.

Getting smoke into the healing socket greatly increases the chance of infection. The suction involved with smoking and vaping risks dislodging the blood clot and causing further bleeding or dry socket.

🦷 Oral Hygiene

Do not brush directly over the extraction site on the first day.

From 24 hours onwards (i.e. not on day 1), after food, rinse gently with warm salt water or the provided chlorhexidine mouthwash.

Continue careful tooth brushing twice daily, avoiding the socket initially.

🏋️‍♂️ Activity

Rest on the day of surgery.

Avoid strenuous activity for one week, as this may cause bleeding and increase pain and bruising.

After peak swelling (day 3), make a gradual return to normal activity.

🥗 Diet

Avoid hard or sharp foods near the extraction site – these can be uncomfortable to eat and they risk damaging the extraction site. For the first few days, choose soft, nutrient-dense foods that are easy to eat: yoghurt, eggs, soft fish, soups, lentils, mashed vegetables, and protein-rich smoothies (avoiding straws). The priority is maintaining protein intake, hydration and overall calorie intake while the extraction site heals.

As comfort improves during the first week, gradually return to a normal diet rich in protein, fruit, and vegetables. Most patients do not need complicated supplements or special protocols. A balanced, minimally processed diet combined with good hydration provides the best nutritional support for uncomplicated healing.

🦠 Antibiotics

Not all patients require antibiotics but if you have been prescribed them then complete the full course.

I recommend taking a probiotic during and after antbiotic therapy in order to reduce the likelihood of gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea. The probiotic should be taken at least 2 hours after the antibiotic dose, as some antibiotics reduce the survival of probiotic bacteria.

Most supermarkets stock products with a range of live cultures (e.g. kefir drinks, live bio yoghurts, Yakult, Actimel, etc.). A serving of 150 to 250 mL once or twice daily should be started when antibiotics begin and continued for two weeks after the course has finished.

However, the strongest scientific evidence is for specific strains such as Saccharomyces boulardii (a yeast) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. These are usually purchased from pharmacies rather than supermarkets. Studies suggest that such probiotics can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea by around one-third to one-half (1,2).

When to Seek Medical Advice

Please contact your team (enquiries@facialsurgerylondon.co.uk) if you experience:

Increasing pain after the first 3–4 days
Worsening swelling after 72 hours
Fever or feeling unwell
Persistent bad taste or discharge
Prolonged or worsening numbness
Bleeding that does not settle with pressure

Clinic Review

A review appointment will typically be made 2 weeks after your extraction, in order to check healing.