---
title: Tooth Extraction Aftercare | Maroubra Dental Clinic
description: "What to do after a tooth is taken out: ice, gauze, which painkillers, and rinsing with Savacol while the socket heals. Instructions from your dentist."
image: https://maroubradentalclinic.com.au/hubfs/mdc%20web%20photo%20007.jpg
---

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> # After Care: Extractions
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Please follow these steps to ensure that your tooth is well healed and reduce any possible post-operative pain, with or without grafting:

## Do

+ **Liberally use ice packs** on cheek area, hold some **ice cubes** in your mouth for day 1, and have some ice cream – to cool the inflammation (and pain) down.  
+ **Take painkillers** (details below), especially NSAIDs like ibuprofen and painkillers like paracetamol.  
\+ Brush your teeth as normal, **except** the wound site  
\+ Bite on the provided gauze for at least 10-15 minutes after taking your teeth out. And put new ones as needed if bleeding cannot be controlled.  
\+ Buy [Savacol mouthrinse](https://www.colgate.com.au/products/mouthwash/colgate-savacol-antiseptic-mouth-and-throat-rinse-mouthwash-02) and rinse it 2-3x a day minimum 2-3 weeks or until mucosal healing – this will make things heal uneventfully   
\+ Eat and drink as normal as possible, **cold to room temperature foods**  
\+ Take the prescribed medicines

 

## Don't

\- Eat until the numbness has completely worn off (if you are hungry it is recommended to have liquids instead in this period), otherwise you'll  bite your cheeks/tongue/lips.  
\- Smoke or vape (it makes things worse) at least for 48-72 hours  
\- Eat and drink hot foods (if it can burn your lips, it is too hot!)  
\- Eat on the area where the tooth/teeth had just been taken out (i.e. if we take tooth out on you left hand side chew on the right hand side more)  
\- Drink alcohol for 24 hours after surgery  
\- Strenuous exercises 24 hours after surgery  
\- Look at your wound  
\- Brush on the wound site itself → introduction of movements which can make things heal slower!  
\- Blow your nose if you have an upper tooth taken out as there is a possibility of having a OAC (oral-antral communication), where you make a tunnel between your sinus and your mouth (not fun, but it is recoverable.)

 

## Expect

- Bad breath and some bad taste around the area
- Swelling around the area where the tooth has been taken out, depending on the surgery the peak of the swelling can be on day 3-5
- **Wildcard potential:**[dry socket](https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dry-socket), if you have a history of this happening to you, please let us know. Tends to happen either on day 4 or 5 post surgery. Can annoy you for 2-3 weeks
- Sutures to feel a bit annoying after placement, that is normal
- Prolonged numbness for a few hours due to the local anaesthetic. Lips, teeth, and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment.

 

**Please follow these instructions as much as you can**

Recommended way to take your painkillers:

**Mild** pain (niggling sensation, discomfort but a bit annoying):  
2x 500mg of Panadol/paracetamol **3-4 times** a day

**Moderate** pain (starting to affect eating, slight sleep disturbances, bearable but uncomfortable)  
2x 500mg of Panadol/paracetamol or panadine forte **PLUS** 2x 200mg Neurofen/ibuprofen **3-4 times** a day.

**Severe**: contact us and we will advise you on what to take

*Based on the* [*The Oxford League Table of Analgesic Efficacy*](http://www.bandolier.org.uk/booth/painpag/Acutrev/Analgesics/lftab.html) *and the* [*WHO analgesic ladder*](https://www.cfp.ca/content/56/6/514)

We wish you all the best from your recovery! Please do not hesitate to [contact our office](https://maroubradentalclinic.com.au/contact) if you have any questions

 

## To buy list

- Savacol mouthwash
- Paracetamol (Panadol) -\> buy the cheapest one available, makes no difference to buy the branded version
- Ibuprofen (Neurofen) -\> buy the cheapest one available, makes no difference to buy the branded version
- Ice pack (if you don’t frozen peas wrapped in a cloth would be fine)
- Ice cubes (make some in the fridge)
- Ice cream (why not)
- Any other medicines that we have prescribed for you

 

[← All patient aftercare guides](https://maroubradentalclinic.com.au/resources)

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