After a tooth extraction

Stopping the bleeding

• Bite firmly and continuously on the gauze pad for 20 to 30 minutes. Do not keep checking it.
• If oozing continues, replace with a clean damp gauze or a rolled clean handkerchief and repeat.
• Stay upright and calm; avoid exertion for the rest of the day.

Protecting the socket

• No rinsing, spitting, straws or smoking for the first 24 hours.
• From day two, rinse gently with warm salt water after meals.
• Keep brushing the rest of your mouth normally; avoid the socket itself for the first day or two.
• Eat soft, lukewarm food and chew on the other side.

Pain and swelling

Discomfort is usually worst on the first day and settles steadily. Take pain relief as advised, generally paracetamol and, where appropriate for you, ibuprofen. Some swelling and jaw stiffness is normal, particularly after a surgical extraction.

Dry socket

If pain worsens noticeably around days three to five, often with a bad taste and an empty-looking socket, the clot may have been lost. This is treatable and settles quickly once the socket is dressed, but it needs to be seen rather than waited out.