Aftercare Instructions for Tooth Extraction

Within the first 24 hours:

• Firmly bite on a gauze pad for at least 30 minutes or as long as necessary to reduce bleeding after extraction. Insert a clean gauze pad once the original one is soaked or after an hour. Additionally, a moist tea bag can be used for 30 minutes if bleeding continues. Oozing can occur for 24 hours, so you should avoid hot liquids and exercise and your head should be elevated. If bleeding persists, contact us right away.
• Avoid sucking on straws, candy, or spitting.
• Don’t rinse your mouth and avoid brushing or flossing next to the extraction.
• Avoid tobacco products (for at least 72 hours).
• Prevent sneezing and coughing by using allergy medication.
• Avoid carbonated, hot, or alcoholic beverages as well as hot or spicey foods.

For Discomfort:

You can take pain relief medication before your anesthetic wears off. Use an ice pack on the area to reduce swelling, alternating on and off for 20-minute increments. This should be done for the first 36 hours only.

After 48 Hours:

• You can start eating your normal diet as soon as you feel comfortable.
• Brush and floss normally but avoid the extraction area for the first week.
• Continue your antibiotics for the full prescription even if you have no symptoms.
• For any swelling, apply moist heat and rinse your mouth with warm saltwater.
• Contact us right away if you notice a reaction to your medication, bad taste in your mouth, heavy bleeding, swelling, or pain for more than two days.

Soft Foods List

If you’re well prepared for your extraction, you’ll have a smoother recovery. You should plan ahead by purchasing soft foods to eat after your extraction, including:

• Hearty soups like chili, minestrone, split pea, lentil or cream of asparagus
• Juices that aren’t citrus like apple, cranberry or grape
• Soft or frozen yogurt
• Herbal tea
• Jell-O
• Cottage cheese
• Pudding, custard, or smoothies
• Eggs (soft-boiled, scrambled salad, omelets)
• Mashed potatoes, rice, tofu, and pasta
• Soft white fish

Avoid the following for the first 7 days after surgery:

• If you received a bone graft, then do not use chlorohexidine mouth rinse or any other rinses. Just use a saltwater mixture.
• Spicy foods
• Foods that are difficult to chew like popcorn, chips, French bread, baguettes, and more
• Alcoholic beverages

Be sure to allow yourself some time to rest and take it easy during the first few days. Try renting some movies or ready to enjoy your recovery!

Tooth Extraction FAQs

Learning you need tooth extractions in Lancaster can feel a bit overwhelming. The idea of having teeth removed is never pleasant; however, the team at Lancaster Family Smiles will always go above and beyond to ensure you remain safe, comfortable, and fully at ease throughout the procedure. Never will we recommend an extraction if it’s not absolutely necessary, so remember, if you are preparing to undergo this type of procedure, it’s because we want to ensure the health of your smile. Below you will find some FAQs to review. If at any point you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.