When people hear they need a tooth removed, the same questions come up every time:

• “Will it hurt?”
• “What will the first night be like?”
• “How long does it take to heal?”

We talk through this with patients in our Basingstoke practice every week. The reassuring truth is that, with good aftercare, healing is usually straightforward – and most people are surprised by how manageable it feels.

We do not see extractions as “just taking a tooth out”. They are often part of a bigger plan – to relieve pain, make space for orthodontics such as Invisalign, or prepare for future implants or bridges. This guide shares the same practical advice we give our own patients so you know what to expect and what really helps healing go smoothly.

What Happens After a Tooth Is Removed?

When a tooth is extracted, it leaves a small hole in the bone and gum – the socket.

• The tooth is gently loosened and removed under local anaesthetic (you feel pressure, not sharp pain).
• A blood clot forms in the socket. This is vital – it protects the bone and nerves and forms the base for new tissue.
• Over the next 7-10 days, soft gum tissue grows over the clot and the surface closes.
• Deeper bone healing continues quietly for several weeks to months.

For teeth with deep roots (such as molars), the socket may be larger and the first week can feel slightly more tender, but the healing pattern is broadly the same. Your job is to protect the clot, avoid infection, and give your body the best conditions to repair.

The First 24 Hours: What to Expect

The first day – and especially the first night – is when most people feel most anxious.

• We place gauze over the site and ask you to bite gently to help the clot form.
• Mild oozing or pink saliva for a few hours is normal as long as it slowly settles.
• The anaesthetic can take a few hours to wear off; your lip, cheek and tongue may feel numb.

During this time:

• Avoid chewing on the numb side so you do not accidentally bite your cheek or tongue.
• Stick to soft food and chew on the opposite side.
• Take pain relief as advised before the numbness fully wears off.

Afterwards, it is normal to feel aching or throbbing for the first 24-48 hours, particularly after molar extractions. Most people describe this as a heavy bruise rather than sharp pain, and it usually responds well to over-the-counter painkillers used correctly.

At night:

• Rest with your head slightly elevated on an extra pillow to reduce swelling.
• Avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting, or poking the area – these can disturb the clot.

Gentle, low-stress care in this first 24 hours sets you up for smoother healing.

Things to DO After a Tooth Extraction

1. Take Pain Relief as Advised

For most healthy adults, a combination of paracetamol and an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen works well, as long as there are no medical reasons to avoid them.

• Always follow the dose instructions on the packet.
• Do not mix painkillers that contain the same ingredient.
• If in doubt, check NHS guidance, your GP or pharmacist.

2. Use Cold Packs for Swelling

Swelling (especially after molar extractions) is common and usually peaks at 48-72 hours.

• Apply a wrapped ice pack or bag of frozen peas to the cheek for about 10 minutes at a time.
• Rest between applications.
• This can limit swelling and reduce bruising.

3. Keep Your Mouth Clean – Carefully

You should keep brushing your other teeth as normal, being cautious near the extraction site.

From 24 hours after the extraction, you can usually start warm saltwater rinses:

• 1 teaspoon of salt
• In a mug of warm, previously boiled water
• Let it cool, then gently swish and let it trickle out (no forceful spitting)

This helps keep the area clean without the harshness of some commercial mouthwashes.

4. Rest and Take It Easy

An extraction is a minor surgical procedure. Your body needs energy to heal.

• Avoid strenuous exercise for the first couple of days.
• Listen to your body: if you feel tired, rest.
• Many patients notice that good rest makes the whole healing period feel shorter and easier.

Things to AVOID After a Tooth Extraction

1. No Vigorous Rinsing, Spitting or Straws (First 24 Hours)

These can dislodge the blood clot, exposing bone and nerves and leading to dry socket – a very painful condition that often appears 3–5 days after extraction.

Avoid:

• Swishing water forcefully
• Spitting hard or repeatedly
• Drinking through a straw

2. Avoid Smoking

Smoking after an extraction:

• Reduces blood flow
• Introduces heat and chemicals to the wound
• Involves suction

All of these increase the risk of dry socket and infection. We advise avoiding smoking completely for at least 72 hours, and ideally for a week or more.

3. Avoid Alcohol (Initially)

For the first 24-48 hours, avoid alcohol because it can:

• Interfere with blood clotting
• Irritate the wound
• Interact with painkillers or antibiotics

4. Steer Clear of Certain Foods

In the early days, avoid:

• Very hot, spicy or crunchy foods
• Anything that might break into sharp bits and get stuck in the socket

Stick to soft, cool or lukewarm foods, chewing on the opposite side.

5. Do Not Attempt DIY Tooth Removal

Removing a tooth safely requires:

• Proper assessment
• Sterile instruments
• Controlled force
• The ability to manage complications

Trying to pull your own tooth risks serious infection, damage to the jaw or nearby teeth, and even hospital admission. If you think a tooth needs to come out, let a dentist assess it.

Eating and Drinking: What and When?

Patients often ask:

• “How long after tooth extraction can I eat?”
• “When can I eat solid food?”

Think in three phases:

Phase 1: First Few Hours

While you are still numb:

• Avoid hot food and drinks.
• Avoid anything that needs chewing.
• Sip cool or lukewarm drinks from a glass (no straws).

Wait until the numbness has worn off and you feel in control of your mouth before you try to eat.

Phase 2: First 24 Hours

Once bleeding has settled and the gauze is removed, you can usually introduce soft foods on the opposite side:

• Yoghurt
• Mashed potatoes
• Scrambled eggs
• Soft, cooled soup
• Smoothies eaten with a spoon

You can eat around 3 hours after extraction if the area is stable and you feel ready – just keep food soft and chew gently away from the site.

Phase 3: Rest of the Week

Most people feel comfortable with firmer foods after 3–7 days, depending on:

• How difficult the extraction was
• Personal comfort levels

Straightforward extractions may allow a quicker return to normal eating; more complex molar extractions often need a little longer on soft foods. If a food feels too sharp or crunchy near the site, leave it for now.

Keep well hydrated, especially with water. Choose warm rather than boiling hot drinks in the first couple of days to reduce bleeding.

Pain, Swelling and When to Worry

Some discomfort is completely normal. Understanding the usual pattern helps you spot when something is not right.

Typical course:

• Day 0–2: Pain is most noticeable once the anaesthetic wears off; aching or throbbing is common.
• Day 3–4: Pain usually starts to ease; swelling often peaks and then begins to reduce. Some bruising and mild jaw stiffness are common, especially after lower molar extractions.
• By day 7: Most people find pain has significantly reduced, with only mild tenderness if touched.

Warning signs:

• Strong, throbbing pain after 7 days, especially if worse than day 2–3 or if pain suddenly returns after improving – this can indicate dry socket or infection.
• Jaw pain that is severe, or associated with fever, difficulty opening the mouth, or feeling unwell.

In these situations, you should contact your dentist for assessment.

Smoking, Alcohol and Mouthwash: Key Rules

Smoking

• Avoid completely for at least 72 hours, ideally a week.
• The suction, heat and chemicals significantly increase complication risks.

Alcohol

• Avoid for 24-48 hours or longer if you are taking strong painkillers or antibiotics.

Mouthwash

• Avoid strong commercial mouthwashes, especially those containing alcohol, for the first few days unless we have prescribed one (such as chlorhexidine) for a specific reason.
• Use warm saltwater rinses from 24 hours onwards unless told otherwise.

A Note on Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is very useful for many patients, but not suitable for everyone (for example, some people with stomach, kidney, heart issues, blood thinners, or in certain stages of pregnancy). Always follow the specific advice you have been given and double-check if you are unsure.

Swelling and Gums: What Is Normal?

• Mild swelling and bruising around the site are common, especially after molar extractions, and usually peak at 48-72 hours before fading.
• Mildly swollen gums in the first week almost always settle with normal healing.

By two weeks:

• The gum surface should be largely closed.
• A small amount of firmness or lumpiness can be normal as the tissue remodels.

However, you should contact us if you notice:

• Swelling that is increasing rather than decreasing
• Red, hot, very tender gums
• Persistent bad taste or odour

These may suggest infection or trapped debris and can usually be managed effectively once checked.

When to Contact Us or Seek Urgent Help

Most people find:

• Initial discomfort improves steadily over 3–7 days
• Gum surface feels much better by 7–10 days
• Deeper healing continues over several weeks to months

Contact us promptly if you experience:

• Pain that worsens after the first 2–3 days, especially severe pain after 7 days
• Bleeding that does not slow after 20–30 minutes of firm gauze pressure
• Swelling that is rapidly increasing or affecting swallowing or breathing
• Persistent foul taste or odour despite careful cleaning
• Fever or feeling generally unwell

We offer emergency dental services for severe bleeding, breathing difficulties or rapidly spreading swelling. Call us at +441256354227 for urgent dental care.

Worried About an Extraction or Your Healing?

If you have a tooth that may need removal, or you have already had an extraction and are unsure whether healing is on track, we are happy to assess things in person. Our Basingstoke team can guide you through extractions and any follow-on treatments – from fillings and crowns to Invisalign, implants and cosmetic dentistry – with your long-term comfort and oral health at the centre of the plan.

📞 Phone: +441256354227
🌐 Email: [email protected]
💬 WhatsApp: https://wa.me/+447514534410