After a dental extraction of teeth or roots, there are a number of sensible precautions you can take, to allow natures healing to work best.

After having a tooth or teeth out - Dental Extractions

After an extraction, it's important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That's why your dentist will ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 5 minutes or so, after an extraction. Pressure stops bleeding - If bleeding or oozing continues after you remove the gauze pad, place another gauze pad on the area and bite firmly for another 15 minutes. You may have to do this several times. Do NOT dab the pad on and off as this stops a clot forming, keep the pressure on constantly.After the blood clot forms, it's important to protect it, especially for the next 24 hours. It's also important to:

NOT Smoke at all
NOT Suck through a straw
NOT Rinse your mouth vigorously
NOT do heavy exercising or lifting

These activities would dislodge the clot and slow down healing. Limit yourself to calm activities for the first 24 hours. It's a case of "Walk rather than Run". This keeps your blood pressure lower, reduces new bleeding, and helps the healing process to get a good start after an extraction.

After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain and have some swelling. You can use an ice pack (15 minutes on, 15 minutes off) to keep this to a minimum. The swelling usually starts to go down after 48 hours and is normal if you had a difficult extraction or say 4 wisdom teeth out.

To control discomfort, take pain medication as recommended. Don't take medication on an empty stomach or nausea may result. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone.

Drink lots of fluids
Eat only soft, nutritious foods on the day of the extraction
Don't use alcoholic beverages
Avoid hot and spicy foods

You can begin eating normally the next day, or if not by then, as soon as it's comfortable. Gently rinse your mouth with warm saltwater three times a day (put a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, gently rinse-swish-spit). Also, rinse gently after meals. This helps keep food out of the extraction site. It's very important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include brushing your teeth and tongue and flossing at least once a day. This will speed healing and help keep your breath and mouth fresh. Call your dentist right away if you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling after two or three days, or a reaction to the medication. After a few days, satisfactory healing can happen, however, if you have any concerns we'd be pleased to help you.