After a tooth is removed, your body starts healing straight away. Knowing what is normal helps you feel confident at home.
Bleeding: Some oozing or light bleeding is completely normal for the first few hours. The blood mixes with saliva and can look like more blood than it is. This is not a cause for alarm.
A blood clot forms in the socket: This clot is essential — it protects the bone underneath and allows healing to begin. Do not disturb it.
Swelling: Your cheek or jaw may swell slightly, especially over the first 24–48 hours. This is a normal part of healing.
Numbness: The local anaesthetic (the injection that numbs the area) can last 2–4 hours. Take care not to bite your cheek, lip, or tongue while numb.
Soreness: Once the anaesthetic wears off, you will feel some tenderness around the socket. This is expected and usually peaks on day 2 or 3.
If bleeding is heavier: Fold a clean piece of gauze or a clean cloth, moistened with water, into a firm pad and bite down firmly on it for 20–30 minutes without checking it. Sit upright — do not lie flat. If bleeding continues, replace with a fresh moistened pad and repeat once more. A damp black tea bag can also be used; the tannic acid in tea helps blood to clot. If heavy bleeding continues after two rounds of firm pressure, contact your dentist or call NHS 111.
Managing Pain and Discomfort
Most people manage well with over-the-counter painkillers. Take them as directed on the packet — do not wait until pain becomes severe.
Ibuprofen (e.g. 400mg, three times a day with food) works well for dental pain and also reduces swelling. Only take ibuprofen if you have no medical reason to avoid it (e.g. stomach problems, kidney issues, blood-thinning medications, or if you are pregnant).
Paracetamol (e.g. 1g, up to four times a day) is a good alternative if you cannot take ibuprofen. You can also alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen every 3–4 hours for better relief.
Applying a cold compress (a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel) to the outside of your cheek for 10–15 minutes at a time during the first 24 hours can help reduce swelling.
After 24 hours, switch to a warm compress if swelling persists — this helps improve blood flow and healing.
Avoid aspirin — it thins the blood and may increase bleeding.
If you have been prescribed opioid-containing painkillers (such as codeine or co-codamol), do not drive, operate machinery, or drink alcohol while taking them — this is a legal requirement.
Pain should gradually improve each day. If it gets worse after day 3, this may be a sign of a dry socket (see below) and you should contact your dentist.
Eating, Drinking, and Oral Hygiene
What you eat and drink in the days after extraction makes a real difference to how well you heal.
Eating and drinking:
Eat soft foods for the first 2–3 days: yoghurt, scrambled eggs, mashed potato, soup (not too hot), smoothies.
Chew on the opposite side of your mouth to the extraction site.
Avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods until the socket has healed (usually 7–10 days).
Drink plenty of fluids but avoid very hot drinks for the first 24 hours.
Do not drink through a straw for at least 48 hours. The sucking action can dislodge the blood clot.
Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours — it can increase bleeding and slow healing.
Oral hygiene:
Do not rinse your mouth at all for the first 24 hours — rinsing can dislodge the clot.
After 24 hours, gently rinse with warm salty water (half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) 3–4 times a day, especially after meals. Do this for 5–7 days.
Continue brushing your other teeth normally, but avoid the extraction site for the first couple of days. Gradually work back towards it as healing progresses.
Things to Avoid
Certain things can interfere with healing or trigger complications. Please avoid the following:
Smoking: Smoking is the single biggest cause of dry socket — a painful condition where the blood clot is lost. Avoid smoking for at least 48–72 hours, and ideally for a week. See your dentist sooner if you smoke and develop worsening pain.
Vigorous rinsing or spitting in the first 24 hours.
Strenuous exercise for 24–48 hours — physical exertion raises your blood pressure and can restart bleeding.
Touching the socket with your tongue, fingers, or any object.
Hot food and drink on the day of extraction.
Alcohol for at least 24 hours.
What Is Dry Socket?
Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) happens when the blood clot that forms in the socket is lost or breaks down before the socket heals. It affects about 1 in 20 people after a routine extraction, and is more common after wisdom tooth removal.
Signs of dry socket include:
Pain that gets worse from day 1–3 onwards (rather than improving)
A dull, throbbing ache that may spread to your ear or jaw
An empty-looking socket — you may be able to see bone
An unpleasant taste or bad breath
Dry socket is not an infection, but it is very painful. Contact your dentist if you suspect dry socket — they can dress the socket to relieve pain and help it heal. It will get better with treatment.
When to Contact Your Dentist
Most extractions heal without any problems. However, contact your dentist promptly if you notice any of the following:
Heavy bleeding that does not stop after 30 minutes of biting firmly on a clean gauze pad or folded cloth
Pain that is getting worse after day 2–3, rather than improving
Swelling that is getting worse after day 3
A high temperature (above 38°C / 100.4°F)
Pus or discharge from the socket area
Difficulty opening your mouth (trismus)
Numbness that has not worn off after 6 hours
If you cannot reach your dentist, call NHS 111. If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, go to your nearest A&E immediately.
This leaflet is for general information only and does not replace professional dental advice. Your dentist will discuss your individual circumstances and any risks specific to you. Treatment outcomes vary between patients depending on individual circumstances.
When to Seek Urgent Help
Contact your dentist immediately if you have heavy bleeding that will not stop after 30 minutes of firm pressure, severe pain not controlled by painkillers, swelling that gets worse after 3 days, a temperature above 38°C, or difficulty breathing or swallowing. If you cannot reach your dentist, call NHS 111 or go to your nearest A&E.
References
Aligned with guidance from: SDCEP, FGDP(UK), NICE.