Do
Bite on the gauze for a full hour
Keep biting on the gauze for one full, uninterrupted hour, using the same gauze you left the dental clinic with.
After your procedure
Aftercare instructions:Tooth extraction
Had a tooth taken out today? The first hour and the first day matter most. This page walks you through them step by step, as Dr. Ahmed Shama explains in the video (in Arabic).
Explained byDr. Ahmed Abdelazeem ShamaIf you remember only three things
Step by step
Instructions by time
- First hour
The first hour: bite down, do not change the gauze
AvoidDo not swap or change the gauze
Do not swap or replace the gauze before the set time of 30 to 60 minutes.
Why? Changing it earlier makes the wound start bleeding again.
- First 24 hours
Day one: protect the clot
The blood clot is what seals and protects the socket; everything below is about keeping it in place.
AvoidNo rinsing at all for 24 hours
No rinsing with water, salt water, myrrh or mouthwash, no rinsing of any kind, even during wudu (ablution).
Why? Rinsing moves the blood clot that seals the socket, and the bleeding starts again.
DoSoft, tender and cold food
Keep your food soft, tender and cold on the first day.
AvoidNo hot drinks for 24 hours
No tea, coffee or any hot drink for 24 hours.
DoChew on the other side
Chew on the side opposite the extraction: if it was on the right, eat on the left.
AvoidNo brushing for 24 hours
Do not brush your teeth for 24 hours.
Why? So nothing reopens the wound or moves the stitches (if you have any), and it does not bleed again.
AvoidSmoking is a red line
No smoking at all for 24 hours.
Why? Smoking contaminates the wound.
- After 24 hours
Back to normal life, with three exceptions
DoKeep chewing on the other side
Even after the first 24 hours, keep eating on the other side.
DoRinse gently
After 24 hours you may rinse again, but gently.
AvoidLeave the socket alone
Do not play with the socket with your tongue.
Why? So the wound does not get contaminated.
These are general instructions from the doctor after the procedure. Always follow what your treating dentist tells you and the medicines they prescribed, and contact the clinic with any question.
Patient questions
Frequently asked questions
How long should I bite on the gauze after a tooth extraction?
Bite on the gauze for one full, uninterrupted hour, using the same gauze you left the clinic with. Do not change it before the set time (30 to 60 minutes): changing it earlier makes the wound bleed again.
When can I rinse after a tooth extraction?
Do not rinse at all for the first 24 hours, with anything: water, salt water, myrrh or mouthwash, even during wudu, because rinsing moves the clot that seals the socket. After 24 hours, rinse gently.
What can I eat after a tooth extraction?
Soft, tender and cold food, chewed on the side opposite the extraction, and no hot drinks for 24 hours. After 24 hours, keep chewing on the other side.
When can I brush my teeth after an extraction?
Do not brush for 24 hours, so nothing reopens the wound or moves the stitches and causes new bleeding.
Can I smoke after a tooth extraction?
No. Smoking is a red line: no smoking at all for 24 hours, because it contaminates the wound.
What should I do after the first 24 hours?
You can go back to normal life, but keep chewing on the other side, rinse gently, and do not play with the socket with your tongue so it does not get contaminated.
Your doctor
Dr. Ahmed Abdelazeem Shama
Senior specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery and dental implants
Department of Dentistry · Tabeebuk Polyclinic
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery, 2012
- Egyptian Fellowship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2021
Clinic hours
Saturday – Thursday
- 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
More instructions from the doctor
Wishing you a speedy recovery.