Aftercare
Tooth extraction aftercare
Here's the care we recommend following during the first 48 hours after your extraction.
Soft foods
Soups, purées, yogurt, scrambled eggs. Ice cream has the bonus of being cold, which helps reduce local swelling — one of the few sweet exceptions we happily recommend.
Don't swish or spit
The negative pressure can dislodge the clot that forms in the socket — that little plug of blood is what allows it to heal properly. Without the clot, the bone is left exposed and you can develop dry socket (alveolar osteitis): intense pain that makes recovery much harder.
No mate
The suction from sipping mate (Uruguay's traditional hot herbal drink, sipped through a metal straw) dislodges the clot, and the high temperature encourages bleeding. We know it's hard, but wait at least 48 hours.
Don't smoke
Smoking affects healing in two ways: the suction dislodges the clot, and the substances in the smoke reduce blood flow to the tissues. It's one of the biggest risk factors for developing dry socket. The longer you can avoid it, the better.
No physical exercise
Intense activity raises your blood pressure and can restart bleeding in the area. Wait at least 48 hours and, if there's significant swelling, until it goes down.
Sleep with your head elevated
Two pillows are enough. Keeping your head higher than your body reduces venous congestion, which helps reduce swelling and bleeding overnight.
The gauze
Bite down on it with gentle, steady pressure for one hour (or as instructed at your appointment). Don't change it too soon: the goal is for the clot to form without interruption. If there's light bleeding when you remove it, like saliva with a little blood, that's normal. If the bleeding is heavy, contact us.
If you're in pain
Take a painkiller every 6 to 8 hours as directed. Don't wait for the pain to get intense — it's more effective to keep a steady level of the medication in your blood than to take it only once the pain hits.
One last thing
You've just had a tooth extraction. Whatever the complexity of the procedure, it's an intervention that needs real care in the first few hours. Following these instructions makes the difference between a quick recovery and one with complications.
Save these instructions so you can check them whenever you need to.
Something doesn't feel right? Don't hesitate to message us.
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