At a glance
After a tooth extraction, bite on gauze for 30–45 minutes, rest for the day, and protect the blood clot: no spitting, straws or smoking for at least the first 72 hours. Most soreness eases within 3–5 days, and the gum usually closes over in 1–2 weeks. Call us if pain gets worse after day 2 or 3, or if bleeding won’t stop.
What should I do right after a tooth extraction?
- Keep firm pressure on the gauze for 30–45 minutes. If oozing continues, place a fresh, folded piece and bite again for another 30 minutes.
- Rest for the rest of the day. Keep your head raised on a pillow when lying down.
- Hold a cold pack on your cheek, about 15–20 minutes on and 15–20 minutes off, during the first day to limit swelling.
- Don’t rinse, spit or use a straw on day one. These can pull the blood clot out of the socket.
- Don’t smoke or vape for at least 72 hours, and longer if you can. Smoking is a leading cause of dry socket.
- For pain, follow the directions on the package or from your dentist. Take any prescribed medicine exactly as directed.
- Eat soft, cool or lukewarm foods and chew on the other side.
- From day two, rinse gently with warm salt water after meals, letting it fall out of your mouth rather than spitting hard. Brush your other teeth as normal and be gentle near the socket.
How long does it take to heal after an extraction?
| Stage | What to expect | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| First 24 hours | Oozing and pink saliva, numbness for a few hours, soreness once it wears off | Gauze pressure, rest, cold packs, soft foods, no spitting or straws |
| Days 2–7 | Swelling peaks around day 2–3, then fades; soreness steadily improves | Warm salt-water rinses, soft foods, gentle brushing, still no smoking |
| When it’s healed | The gum closes over in about 1–2 weeks; the bone keeps filling in for months | Return to normal foods, and talk with us about replacing the tooth if needed |
What can I eat after a tooth extraction?
Stick to soft foods for the first few days: yogurt, smoothies eaten with a spoon, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, soup that is warm rather than hot, and pasta. Skip chips, nuts, seeds, popcorn and anything very hot or spicy. Our guide on when you can eat solid food after an extraction goes into more detail.
What is dry socket and how do I avoid it?
Dry socket happens when the blood clot breaks down or comes out too early, leaving bone exposed. It usually shows up 2–4 days after the extraction as a strong, throbbing pain that can spread to the ear, often with a bad taste or smell. It is more common after lower back teeth and wisdom teeth, and in people who smoke.
The best protection is the list above: no smoking, straws or forceful spitting in the first days. If you think you have dry socket, call us. We can clean the area and place a soothing dressing. It is not dangerous, but it is painful and treatable.
Is aftercare different for wisdom teeth?
The steps are the same, but swelling and jaw stiffness are often greater and can take a few extra days to settle. Plan for a quieter few days and soft foods. For how long to keep gauze in, see when to stop using gauze after wisdom tooth extraction. You can read more about the procedure on our tooth extractions page, or read when emergency extractions are necessary and what happens next.
When to call us
Call (832) 612-2831 if bleeding still soaks the gauze after two rounds of firm pressure, pain gets worse after day 2 or 3, swelling keeps growing after 48 hours, you have a fever, or the socket has a foul taste or pus. We’re open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 9am–3pm. Outside office hours, go to the ER or call 911 for facial swelling that is spreading, trouble breathing or swallowing, a high fever, or bleeding that won’t slow down with firm pressure.
Frequently asked questions
You can brush your other teeth the same night. Keep the brush away from the socket on day one, then brush near it gently from the next day.
Avoid hard exercise for the first 24–48 hours, since it can restart bleeding. Light walking is fine. Ease back in once bleeding has stopped.
Yes, a soft white or yellowish layer is usually healing tissue. Severe pain with exposed bone, a bad smell or a bad taste is different and worth a call.
The risk is highest in the first 3–4 days and drops a lot after the first week. Keep protecting the area until the soreness has clearly faded.
Back to all aftercare guides.