WHAT TO DO AFTER A TOOTH EXTRACTION – HOW CAN WE PROMOTE SCAR-FREE HEALING?

After tooth extraction, wound healing naturally takes time, but following a few simple rules can help alleviate discomfort. What can you eat and drink? How should you clean your mouth, and what activities should you avoid? In this article, we briefly summarize the most important things to know.

Wound Care After a Tooth Extraction – What Is Considered Normal During Healing?

Since tooth extraction is a surgical procedure, you may notice streaks of blood in your saliva or even minor bleeding during the first few hours.

If heavier bleeding occurs later, place a clean gauze pad in your mouth and bite down on it for 30 minutes! It is important that during this time:

• do not talk,
• do not chew,
• just keep pressure on the wound!

If the bleeding does not stop despite this, please visit our clinic so we examine you and treat the wound properly!

When can I eat and drink again after a tooth extraction?

While the anesthetic is still taking effect – usually for about 2-3 hours – avoid eating and drinking, as reduced sensation can easily lead to injury to the lips or tongue. Once the numbness has subsided, it is recommended to choose gentle, soft, pureed, lukewarm foods, such as: cream soup, puree, vegetable stew, smoothie.

We advise you to drink plenty of fluids, but it is recommended to choose non-carbonated, non-alcoholic, cold or lukewarm beverages.

Alcohol and carbonation increase the sensitivity of the wound and can slow down healing. As days go by, you can gradually return to your usual diet – just be careful not to put strain on the surgical area!

What should you avoid to help the wound healing?

A fresh wound is easily irritated, so it’s best to avoid the following for a few days:

• hot foods and beverages,
• spicy or hot dishes,
• acidic foods and beverages,
• hard, crunchy foods,
• dairy products.

Dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese) can slow down wound healing and promote bacterial growth.

The use of straws is strictly prohibited! The suction effect can dislodge the blood clot that has formed in the wound—food particles can easily get in its place, which can lead to inflammation and infection.

Oral hygiene after tooth extraction – how should you clean your mouth?

After a tooth extraction, proper yet gentle oral hygiene is key to preventing infection and ensuring unimpeded healing!

On the day of the procedure: it is essential to brush your teeth while avoiding the surgical site directly, but the rest of the mouth should be cleaned as usual.

From the next day onward: the area around the wound can also be cleaned with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste, using gentle, pain-free movements, without scrubbing.

In the first few days, to protect the blood clot necessary for wound healing, avoid:

• rinsing,
• spitting,
• or sucking on the wound!

These actions can dislodge the blood clot, which may slow healing and increase the risk of complications (inflammation, infection).

After a tooth extraction, you should also avoid activities that increase pressure, such as:

• bending over,
• lifting heavy objects,
• and exercising!

If the procedure involved the maxillary sinus (your dentist will inform you about this), blowing your nose is prohibited until the stitches are removed!

Swelling and pain after tooth extraction – what causes them and how can they be relieved?

Mild pain may occur after the numbness wears off – this is completely normal. In this case, take the pain reliever prescribed by the oral surgeon according to the recommended dosage.

Swelling is often most severe during the first 24-48 hours.

Recommended for relief: a cold compress or ice pack on the face (always wrapped in a clean cloth, for no more than 10 minutes per hour), and keeping your head elevated while resting!

Depending on individual sensitivity, the face may swell more, or opening the mouth could be difficult (especially after wisdom tooth extraction).

Please visit our clinic if:

• the pain does not subside after 3–4 days (or possibly worsens),
• the swelling increases,
• a fever develops.

These symptoms may indicate that the wound requires closer monitoring!

Discomfort following tooth extraction generally subsides day by day. If you have any questions or are unsure how to interpret your symptoms, please feel free to contact us – we’re happy to help!