Cartoon dentist showing a woman with a swollen jaw a poster of soft foods to eat after oral surgery.

Our Dental Extraction Recovery Tips

August 31, 2021 3:28 am


Occasionally, a dental extraction is necessary to preserve a patient’s overall oral health and wellbeing. Troublesome wisdom teeth are the most common reason for dental extractions, but there are other instances in which a tooth needs to be removed. Once a dental extraction procedure is complete, we want to ensure you heal quickly. This is why it’s crucial to follow the aftercare instructions you’ll receive from your Riverstone Dental Care team. Here are some examples.

  1. Eat Soft Foods & Don’t Use Straws
  2. When the extraction site is healing, you should stick to soft, easy-to-chew foods. Avoid extremely spicy, hot or cold foods as well. Avoid using straws while you heal because they can dislodge the blood clot that forms over the extraction site which can cause infection and slow down the healing process.

  3. Rest & Hydrate
  4. One of the best things you can do is to get plenty of rest after your dental extraction. Your body needs time and energy to heal, so overexerting yourself can do more harm than good. It’s also important to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water while your body works hard to recover! This is one time when room temperature water will be more comfortable to sip than ice water. And remember, no straws!

  5. Avoid Vigorous Brushing & Rinsing
  6. Any vigorous rinsing or brushing can also dislodge the blood clot and cause dry socket to form. Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water between meals to help remove any food collecting near the extraction site. When brushing your teeth, don’t brush over the healing area because it can damage it.

  7. Do Not Use Tobacco
  8. Smoking greatly hinders the healing process after a dental extraction. Avoid smoking for at least one to two weeks after your extraction procedure. The suction caused by inhaling a cigarette can cause dry socket. Smoking also shrinks the blood vessels which can slow down the mouth’s ability to heal.

Questions About Tooth Extraction Recovery?

Do you need a tooth extracted? Have any specific questions about extraction recovery? Our team at Riverstone Dental Care is here to help. We offer tooth extractions in Canton, GA. We are also happy to answer your questions and get the information you need to make informed decisions about you oral healthcare. Please contact us to learn more about the services we offer!


Contact Us


Image by Authority Dental under CC 2.0



Categorised in: