After Your Surgery

Post-Operative Instructions
for Tooth Extractions

For the first 24 hours after surgery, it’s important not to rinse or spit, as this can disrupt the early stages of healing. Try to avoid touching the area with your fingers or tongue, even if you’re curious—it’s best to let the site rest undisturbed.
To help with swelling, apply an ice pack to the outside of your face for the first 48 hours. Use it in intervals—20 minutes on, 10 minutes off. A bag of frozen peas works great if you don’t have an ice pack on hand.
If you’re experiencing mild discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol® or ibuprofen usually do the trick. For more intense pain, stick with the prescription your doctor provided.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, but be sure to skip the straw. The suction it creates can interfere with healing and potentially cause complications.
If you smoke, we strongly recommend taking a break for at least five days after your procedure to avoid delayed healing and other issues.
Try to avoid intense physical activity or exercise for at least three to four days. Once you resume, take it slow—your body may feel a little weaker than usual due to changes in your food and fluid intake.
If your jaw starts to feel stiff, applying warm, moist heat to the outside of your face can help relax those muscles and bring some relief.
Starting the day after surgery, gently rinse with warm salt water after meals to help keep the area clean. Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. If you’d like, you can add a bit of mouthwash for a better taste.
Stick to soft, easy-to-swallow foods and cool drinks while you recover. Avoid anything hard, crunchy, or likely to get stuck in your teeth—so steer clear of things like popcorn, nuts, seeds, or rice for now.

Post-Operative Instructions for Tooth Extractions

For the first 24 hours after surgery, it’s important not to rinse or spit, as this can disrupt the early stages of healing. Try to avoid touching the area with your fingers or tongue, even if you’re curious—it’s best to let the site rest undisturbed.
To help with swelling, apply an ice pack to the outside of your face for the first 48 hours. Use it in intervals—20 minutes on, 10 minutes off. A bag of frozen peas works great if you don’t have an ice pack on hand.
If you’re experiencing mild discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol® or ibuprofen usually do the trick. For more intense pain, stick with the prescription your doctor provided.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, but be sure to skip the straw. The suction it creates can interfere with healing and potentially cause complications.
If you smoke, we strongly recommend taking a break for at least five days after your procedure to avoid delayed healing and other issues.
Try to avoid intense physical activity or exercise for at least three to four days. Once you resume, take it slow—your body may feel a little weaker than usual due to changes in your food and fluid intake.
If your jaw starts to feel stiff, applying warm, moist heat to the outside of your face can help relax those muscles and bring some relief.
Starting the day after surgery, gently rinse with warm salt water after meals to help keep the area clean. Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. If you’d like, you can add a bit of mouthwash for a better taste.
Stick to soft, easy-to-swallow foods and cool drinks while you recover. Avoid anything hard, crunchy, or likely to get stuck in your teeth—so steer clear of things like popcorn, nuts, seeds, or rice for now.