Post-Op Care • Lombard & Aurora
After Your Tooth Extraction
Having a tooth removed is a common, routine procedure — and with the right aftercare, most patients heal quickly and comfortably. Follow the simple steps below to protect your smile as it heals. And remember: our Lombard and Aurora teams are just a phone call away if you need us.
The First 24 Hours
What you do in the first day matters most. These six steps protect the healing site and keep you comfortable.
Rest & Take It Easy
Rest for the remainder of the day. Avoid strenuous activity, bending, or heavy lifting, and keep your head elevated — even while sleeping.
Use Cold Compresses
Apply an ice pack to your cheek for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off during the first 24 hours to keep swelling down.
Control Bleeding with Gauze
Bite down gently but firmly on the gauze pad for 30–45 minutes. Replace as needed — slight oozing during the first day is normal.
No Straws, Smoking, or Spitting
Avoid straws, smoking, vaping, and forceful spitting or rinsing. Suction can dislodge the blood clot and delay healing.
Stick to Soft Foods
Choose cool, soft foods like yogurt, smoothies (eaten with a spoon), mashed potatoes, applesauce, and scrambled eggs.
Take Medications as Directed
Take prescribed or recommended pain relief as directed — don’t wait for discomfort to become severe before your next dose.
Days 2–7: Keep Healing on Track
After the first day, healing settles into a steady routine. Here’s how to support it through the first week.
Continue Soft Foods
Gradually reintroduce more foods as comfort allows, but avoid crunchy, hard, or seedy foods near the extraction site for about a week.
Rinse Gently
After the first 24 hours, rinse gently with warm salt water (½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) 2–3 times daily, especially after meals.
Ease Back to Normal
Most patients return to work or school within a day or two. Hold off on intense exercise for a few days, then ease back in.
What Healing Looks Like
Soreness and mild swelling should steadily improve day by day. The socket gradually fills in over the coming weeks — this is normal.
What’s Normal vs. When to Call Us
Most recoveries are uneventful — but know the difference between normal healing and signs you should call us.
What’s Normal
- Mild swelling that peaks within 48 hours, then improves
- Slight oozing or pink-tinged saliva during the first 24 hours
- Soreness or stiffness in the jaw for a few days
- Mild bruising on the cheek
Call Us Right Away
- Heavy or persistent bleeding that doesn’t slow after a few hours
- Severe pain that worsens after 2–3 days instead of improving
- Fever, chills, or a persistent bad taste or odor
- Swelling that keeps increasing after 48 hours
Our Lombard and Aurora teams are here if you’re ever unsure — call either office.
Eating Guide: What to Eat & What to Avoid
Good nutrition supports healing — just choose wisely for the first several days.
Enjoy These
- Yogurt, smoothies, and milkshakes (with a spoon — no straws)
- Mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, scrambled eggs
- Applesauce, pudding, oatmeal, and lukewarm soups
- Plenty of water
Avoid These
- Crunchy or hard foods like chips, nuts, and popcorn
- Spicy or acidic foods that can irritate the site
- Alcohol and carbonated drinks for the first few days
- Anything through a straw — always sip from a cup
Questions during recovery? Call either office — we’re happy to help you heal comfortably.
