Regina Lakeview Dental Centre
Tooth Extraction Aftercare in Regina
What To Expect After A Tooth Extraction
Most extractions heal smoothly with a little rest and care. Follow the steps below to minimize discomfort, reduce the risk of complications, and help your mouth recover as quickly as possible.
Immediately After Your Procedure
Avoid chewing for at least 2 hours or until numbness completely wears off.
Rest quietly and avoid strenuous activity for the first 24 hours.
Keep your head elevated with pillows to help control bleeding.
Bite gently but firmly on the gauze we provided, changing it as needed.
A moist tea bag can also help if bleeding persists — bite down for 20 minutes.
Managing Pain And Swelling
Swelling is common within the first 48 hours.
Apply an ice pack to your cheek: 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off.
Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen usually provide relief.
Take pain medication with food to avoid nausea.
Protect The Blood Clot
A healthy blood clot is crucial for healing. To keep it intact:
Do not smoke for 48 hours.
Avoid using straws, spitting forcefully, or touching the area with your tongue.
Sneeze with your mouth open if you have allergies or a cold.
Eating And Drinking
Start with soft foods: yogurt, soups, scrambled eggs, smoothies (no straw).
Drink plenty of fluids but avoid hot beverages and alcohol.
Return to a normal diet gradually over the next few days.
Oral Hygiene
Do not rinse your mouth or brush the area for the first 24 hours.
After 24 hours, you can gently rinse with warm salt water.
Continue brushing and flossing the rest of your mouth as usual.
Other Important Tips
If antibiotics were prescribed, take them for the full duration.
Some bleeding is normal. Call us if it increases or persists.
The extraction site may feel strange at first — new tissue will gradually fill the gap.
Questions Or Concerns?
If anything doesn’t feel right, or if you’re unsure about something, we’re just a phone call away.
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