A blood clot forms in the socket after a tooth is removed. Protecting that clot for the first few days is the key to comfortable healing.
First 24 hours
- Bite firmly on the gauze for 30–45 minutes. If oozing continues, replace it with fresh folded gauze and bite for another 30 minutes.
- Light pink saliva for a day or two is normal.
- Rest with your head raised on an extra pillow. Avoid exercise and heavy lifting for 24–48 hours.
- Do not use a straw, spit forcefully or rinse hard for the first 24 hours. Suction can dislodge the healing blood clot.
- For swelling, hold a cold pack wrapped in a cloth on your cheek, 15–20 minutes on and 15–20 minutes off, during the first 24–48 hours.
Eating and drinking
- Avoid chewing, hot drinks and biting your cheek, lip or tongue until the numbness wears off, usually within 2–5 hours. Watch children closely.
- Eat soft, cool or lukewarm foods such as yogurt, smoothies (with a spoon), mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, soup that is not hot, oatmeal and pasta. Chew on the other side.
- Avoid hard, crunchy, sticky, spicy or very hot foods (chips, nuts, seeds, popcorn, toffee) until your dentist says it is OK.
- Drink plenty of water. Return to normal foods gradually as you feel comfortable.
Cleaning
- Do not brush right next to the socket on the first day. Keep brushing and flossing the rest of your mouth as usual. A clean mouth heals better.
- Starting the day after, gently rinse with warm salt water (about ½ teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) after meals and at bedtime, unless told otherwise.
Pain and medicine
- Some soreness for 2–3 days is normal and should then ease each day.
- Take pain relievers or any prescribed medicine exactly as your dentist or pharmacist directed. Do not take more than the label or prescription allows, and tell us about any allergies or other medicines you take.
- If you were prescribed antibiotics, take every dose until they are finished unless your dentist tells you otherwise.
Avoid
- Avoid smoking, vaping and alcohol for at least 72 hours, or longer if your dentist advises. They slow healing and raise the risk of complications.
- Do not poke the socket with your tongue, fingers or a toothpick.
Call our office right away if
- Bleeding that soaks through gauze and does not slow after an hour of firm pressure
- Swelling that is getting worse after the third day, or spreads toward your eye, jaw or neck
- Fever, chills, or pus or a bad taste that keeps coming back
- Throbbing pain that starts or gets worse 2–4 days after the extraction (this can be dry socket)
- Rash, itching, or any other reaction to a medicine (stop it and call; for trouble breathing call 911)
This handout is general information. Always follow the specific instructions your dentist gives you, which may differ from this sheet. For a medical emergency, such as trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or bleeding that will not stop, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Content last reviewed: 2026-10.