During the first 24 hours
- Do not rinse your mouth, spit forcefully, suck through a straw or touch the extraction area with your tongue or fingers.
- While your mouth is numb, avoid hot food and drinks. Take care not to bite your lip, cheek or tongue.
- Choose soft, cool or lukewarm food and chew on the other side.
- Rest and avoid strenuous exercise.
- Do not smoke, vape or drink alcohol for at least 48 hours.
If there is bleeding
A small amount of blood mixed with saliva may be normal.
- Sit upright.
- Place clean, damp gauze over the area.
- Bite with steady pressure for 20 minutes without repeatedly checking it.
- If needed, repeat once with fresh gauze.
Call the clinic if bleeding is heavy or does not stop. Seek emergency medical care if bleeding is severe or you feel faint or unwell.
From the next day
- Brush your teeth gently, taking care around the extraction area.
- Rinse gently with warm salt water: dissolve one level teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Use three to four times a day for about five days, especially after eating.
- Continue with soft food and gradually return to your usual diet as comfortable.
Medicines
- Use only medicines prescribed or approved for you, and do not exceed the recommended dose.
- Do not start or stop aspirin, blood thinners or antibiotics unless the prescribing clinician or dentist advises you to.
Call the clinic promptly for
- Bleeding that does not stop with pressure
- Severe pain or swelling, or pain and swelling that are getting worse
- Fever, chills, pus, a persistent bad taste or feeling unwell
- Numbness that lasts much longer than your dentist advised
Get emergency medical help now for
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Rapidly spreading swelling of the face or neck
- Collapse, fainting or another severe reaction
Clinic-approved patient copy. Add the reviewing dentist’s name and review date before the final public launch.