After the First 24 Hours
Once 24 hours have passed, you can gradually begin to eat normally, when it’s comfortable. Resume your brushing and flossing routine, but be gentle around the treated area for about a week. If you have sutures, they typically dissolve naturally within 2–3 weeks. In some cases, patients may require a visit to the office for removal of any stubborn stitches after 2 weeks.
Continue taking any prescribed medications. If antibiotics were prescribed, make sure to complete the full course of treatment, even if all symptoms and signs of infection have subsided.
Apply heat to promote healing. While ice can help reduce swelling, using heat appropriately can speed recovery. By applying moist heat for 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off, you can alleviate soreness or swelling. Typically, you’ll notice a decrease in swelling after 48 hours.
Rinse with warm saltwater. Salt possesses natural disinfectant properties. After 3 days, you can gently rinse with warm saltwater to further reduce swelling. Mix about one teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water. Rinse 2–3 times a day for the week following the extraction.