Guide to Tooth Extraction Recovery and Aftercare

Serving Patients in Vancouver WA

As soon as your tooth extraction procedure is done, the aftercare and recovery process begins. While your body will naturally do all of the work, you have a vital role in tooth extraction aftercare to ensure your healing goes as quickly and smoothly as possible.

At Lewis Family & Implant Dentistry, we want you to feel supported long after you leave your chair. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide to tooth extraction recovery. By following these tips, you can avoid complications and ensure your smile returns to its best as quickly as possible.

How Long Does It Take to Fully Recover After a Tooth Extraction?

There are two main phases of recovery following a tooth extraction. The initial tooth extraction recovery, during which the gum tissue closes and swelling goes down, takes about seven to ten days.

After seven to ten days, you should feel mostly back to normal. However, during this time, a second healing process to the underlying bone is continuing in the background. This requires three to six months to fully heal.

Dos and Don’ts After Your Extraction

Immediately after your extraction, one of the primary goals of aftercare is protecting the blood clot that forms in the socket. This clot is like a natural bandage – and removing it can lead to a variety of complications, including dry socket, which can be quite painful.

What You Should Do After a Tooth Extraction

1. Rest and elevate: Keep your head level or raised compared to the rest of your body. Avoid heavy lifting or doing strenuous activities.
2. Apply ice or cold compress: Press the ice to your cheek, on and off in 20-minute increments. This will keep down unnecessary swelling. 
3. Eat soft foods: Stock up on soups, yogurts, and things like mashed potatoes for the first few days after your extraction.

What You Should NOT Do After Your Tooth Extraction 

1. Don’t use straws: Using a straw creates suction that can dislodge the blood clot.
2. Don’t smoke: Tobacco use can irritate the socket and hinder blood flow to the area, slowing the healing process.
3. Don’t rinse or spit vigorously: For the first 24 hours or so, swish water in your mouth gently and release water from your mouth rather than spitting.

How Do You Know If There’s a Problem with Your Tooth Extraction Recovery?

Complications after tooth extraction are uncommon, but they do happen. The best thing you can do is be aware of what those complications are and report any issues to your dentist, so they can advise you on what to do next.

• Severe, radiating pain: This pain often develops three to five days after the extraction.
• Active bleeding: Especially if blood appears bright red and bleeding doesn’t slow down when you apply pressure.
• Numbness or foul taste in your mouth: Especially if the foul taste lingers after brushing or rinsing.
• Fever or body aches: If you feel like you’re coming down with something, monitor your symptoms carefully. Call your dentist immediately if symptoms are severe.

In the Days Following Your Tooth Extraction, Here’s What to Expect

After a tooth extraction, healing is a step-by-step process. Understanding the milestones of recovery helps you stay patient as your body does its work.

In the 24 Hours After Your Extraction

The goal is to stabilize the blood clot in your socket. You will likely feel some tenderness in the area.

• Bite pressure with gauze as directed to stop the bleeding or oozing
• Avoid hot liquids. These can damage or dissolve the clot.
• Take it easy. Vigorous activity and even raising your blood pressure can destabilize the clot.

Two to Three Days After

You can anticipate some swelling, discomfort, or stiffness during this time, but it should all feel manageable.

• The peak of swelling often happens around day two or three
• Rinse your mouth gently if your dentist has advised you to
• Continue eating soft foods that won’t irritate your regrowing gum tissue

Three to Five Days After

By now, the swelling and soreness should have gone down significantly. 

• Granulation tissue is filling the socket. It’s natural for it to look white or grayish.
• Swelling improves, and it feels like you can move your jaw again.

Five to Seven Days After

As they reach the one-week mark, most patients feel like they’re back to life as usual.

• Discomfort is gone entirely – or it’s minimal.
• As you feel comfortable, gradually reintroduce less-soft foods.

The Weeks After

Your gum tissue will continue to tighten, and the site of the extraction will smooth over.

• Keep the area clean with gentle brushing and rinsing.

Have Questions About Tooth Extractions in Vancouver WA? Call Us!

For tooth extractions or wisdom teeth extractions, following your aftercare instructions is absolutely essential. It ensures your road to recovery is short and simple.

At Lewis Family & Implant Dentistry, our team is committed to your comfort and long-term dental health. If you’re ready to schedule a tooth extraction in Vancouver WA, or if you have questions, call or email us today.