Oral Health›Dental visits and treatments

Having a Tooth Out: What to Expect and Aftercare

Why a tooth may need to come out, what happens on the day, how to look after the socket while it heals, and the warning signs that mean you should contact your dentist.

Updated September 2026·By the OHA editorial team·8 min read·How we write
Key takeaways
  • A tooth may need to come out because of severe decay, gum disease, infection, damage, crowding or a problem wisdom tooth.
  • Most extractions are done under local anaesthetic, which numbs the area. Sedation or a general anaesthetic may be offered for more difficult extractions.
  • For the first 24 hours, protect the blood clot: do not rinse, smoke or drink alcohol, and rest. Sources differ on some timings, so follow your dentist's instructions.
  • Tell your dentist about all your medicines, especially blood thinners and bone medicines such as bisphosphonates. Do not stop a prescribed medicine unless a doctor tells you to.
  • Worsening pain a few days later, bleeding that will not stop, fever or spreading swelling need your dentist. Trouble breathing or swallowing is an emergency.

Having a tooth taken out is called an extraction. healthdirect Australia says the wound usually takes up to 2 weeks to heal. For wisdom teeth, see our guide to wisdom teeth.

Why might a tooth need to come out?

healthdirect lists bad gum disease or tooth decay, a deep infection, a broken tooth, overcrowding, wisdom tooth problems and injury. The Oral Health Foundation (UK) adds a severe infection or abscess, and making space for braces. healthdirect suggests asking your dentist about alternatives, such as root canal treatment, and the benefits and risks of each.

Before the extraction

healthdirect says your dentist will check your medical history and take x-rays. MedlinePlus (the US National Library of Medicine) advises telling your dentist about all your medicines, including those bought without a prescription, and about conditions that can make infection more likely, such as heart disease, liver disease, a weakened immune system, or recent surgery.

Medicines to mention

Blood thinners. The NHS says to tell your dentist if you take an anticoagulant (a medicine that slows blood clotting). You may not need to stop it, but might need a blood test beforehand, and you should stop only on the advice of your GP or another healthcare professional. People taking warfarin, apixaban or rivaroxaban are given an alert card to show their dentist (NHS). The Better Health Channel says aspirin and blood-thinning medicines can increase bleeding, and not to change or stop them without medical advice. See blood thinners and dental treatment for more detail.

Bisphosphonates and denosumab. These medicines, used for osteoporosis (thinning bones) and some cancers, can rarely cause osteonecrosis of the jaw, where an area of jawbone dies and may become exposed (Better Health Channel, NIDCR). The US National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) says most cases follow a dental procedure such as an extraction. For alendronic acid, the NHS says the chance of this after a tooth is taken out is very small, but to tell your dentist. The UK medicines regulator (MHRA) and the American Dental Association say the risk is much greater with infusions for cancer than with tablets for osteoporosis, and the American Dental Association says people taking them for osteoporosis do not usually need to postpone dental treatment, and should talk to their doctor before stopping the medicine. If you are having cancer treatment, see cancer treatment and your mouth.

What happens during an extraction?

healthdirect explains that your dentist will usually give you a local anaesthetic, an injection that numbs the tooth and gums so you do not feel pain. The tooth is loosened with a special instrument, then removed with forceps. For an impacted tooth (one stuck under the gum), MedlinePlus says the gum may be opened, some bone removed, and the tooth taken out in pieces. You may have stitches, and you bite on gauze to stop the bleeding (healthdirect, MedlinePlus).

Sedation and general anaesthetic. The Better Health Channel says sedation or a general anaesthetic (where you are fully asleep) may be offered for more difficult procedures. Our guide to dental sedation explains the types and how they differ. Writing about wisdom teeth, the NHS says not to drive for 24 hours after a sedative injection or 48 hours after a general anaesthetic. See also dental anxiety.

Aftercare: the first day or two

A blood clot forms in the socket (the hole where the tooth was). It is needed for healing, so the main aim is not to disturb it (Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, healthdirect).

  • Bleeding. A small amount of oozing is normal (Oral Health Foundation). If bleeding continues, place clean damp gauze or a clean handkerchief over the socket and bite firmly while sitting upright. Sources give different times: the NHS (writing about wisdom teeth) says at least 10 minutes, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust at least 15, the Oral Health Foundation 20 and Kent Community Health 30.
  • Rinsing. Do not rinse for the first 24 hours (healthdirect, Kent Community Health). After that, healthdirect suggests rinsing gently with half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water after meals and before bed. US guidance is more cautious: MedlinePlus says you may rinse and spit from about 3 days after surgery.
  • Rest. Take it easy for the rest of the day, avoiding heavy exercise and lifting (Oral Health Foundation, Kent Community Health), and rest with your head slightly raised (healthdirect).
  • Eating and drinking. Eat soft food and chew on the other side (healthdirect). Avoid hot food and drinks until the numbness wears off, so you do not burn or bite your cheek or tongue (Oral Health Foundation). Do not drink through a straw for at least 24 hours (American Dental Association, MedlinePlus).
  • Smoking and alcohol. healthdirect advises no smoking or alcohol for the first 24 hours. Some NHS leaflets advise longer: Kent Community Health says 24 to 48 hours for both, and Bedfordshire Hospitals says no smoking or vaping for at least 72 hours, to lower the risk of dry socket. See smoking, vaping and oral health.
  • Cleaning. Brush your other teeth as normal, clean gently around the socket, and keep your tongue and fingers away from it (Oral Health Foundation, Kent Community Health).

Pain and swelling

The Oral Health Foundation says discomfort after an extraction generally does not last long, and to contact your dental team if it lasts longer than 24 hours. Bedfordshire Hospitals, writing about surgical extractions, says pain usually peaks on the second or third day and then improves, and swelling settles in about 7 to 10 days.

Bedfordshire Hospitals suggests paracetamol and/or ibuprofen if you have no allergies. The Oral Health Foundation advises avoiding aspirin, which can increase bleeding, and not taking ibuprofen if you have been told to avoid it, for example because of asthma or stomach problems; check with a pharmacist if unsure. If you take aspirin prescribed for a heart condition, Kent Community Health says to tell your dentist. MedlinePlus suggests a cold pack wrapped in a towel, 10 to 20 minutes at a time.

Dry socket and infection

Dry socket happens when the blood clot does not form properly or comes away, exposing the bone. healthdirect says it affects about 1 in 20 extractions and causes severe, throbbing pain within 1 to 3 days that may spread to the ear or eye, with bad breath, an unpleasant taste and sometimes a slight fever. It is more likely if you smoke, have had dry socket before, had a difficult extraction, take the contraceptive pill, have poor oral hygiene, or had a tooth removed from the lower jaw, especially a molar or wisdom tooth (healthdirect). A dentist can clean the socket and place a soothing dressing (Oral Health Foundation). Other sources give later start times, up to 10 days; see our full guide to dry socket.

Infection signs include red gums, increasing pain, swelling, discharge, fever and feeling unwell, and the risk is higher with poor oral hygiene, diabetes, a weakened immune system and smoking or vaping (Bedfordshire Hospitals). MedlinePlus lists less common problems including nerve damage and damage to other teeth or dental work. To fill the gap afterwards, see replacing missing teeth.

When to see a dentist
  • Pain is getting worse a few days after the extraction instead of better, or you think you have dry socket (healthdirect, Oral Health Foundation).
  • Swelling does not go down or gets worse, or there is pus from the socket (healthdirect, MedlinePlus).
  • You have a temperature over 38°C (healthdirect).
  • You take a bisphosphonate and notice a loose tooth, mouth sores, or pain or swelling in your jaw. The NHS says to contact your dentist as well as your doctor.
Get help urgently
  • The Oral Health Foundation says to get advice quickly for worsening swelling, a high temperature, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or severe bleeding that will not stop. In the UK, contact your dental practice or NHS 111; Kent Community Health says heavy or prolonged bleeding out of hours needs A&E.
  • For a dental infection, the NHS says to call 999 or go to A&E if you are finding it hard to breathe, speak or swallow, or have a lot of swelling in your mouth. Elsewhere, call your local emergency number. See dental emergencies.

Frequently asked questions

When can I rinse my mouth after having a tooth out?

UK and Australian sources say to wait 24 hours, then rinse gently with warm salt water; MedlinePlus (US) suggests about 3 days before rinsing and spitting. Follow your own dentist's instructions.

Should I stop my blood thinner before an extraction?

Not unless a doctor tells you to. The NHS says to tell your dentist, and that you may not need to stop.

Can I smoke after a tooth extraction?

Sources advise waiting at least 24 hours, and some NHS trusts say 48 or 72 hours, because smoking raises the risk of dry socket.

Sources

  1. Tooth extraction, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  2. Dry socket, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  3. What to do after a tooth extraction, Oral Health Foundation, accessed September 2026
  4. Why am I in pain after a tooth extraction?, Oral Health Foundation, accessed September 2026
  5. Tooth extraction after care, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, accessed September 2026
  6. Removal of teeth, post-operative care advice, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, accessed September 2026
  7. Wisdom tooth removal, NHS, accessed September 2026
  8. Dental abscess, NHS, accessed September 2026
  9. Anticoagulant medicines: considerations, NHS, accessed September 2026
  10. Warfarin, NHS, accessed September 2026
  11. Apixaban, NHS, accessed September 2026
  12. Rivaroxaban, NHS, accessed September 2026
  13. Common questions about alendronic acid, NHS, accessed September 2026
  14. Side effects of alendronic acid, NHS, accessed September 2026
  15. Bisphosphonates: osteonecrosis of the jaw, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, accessed September 2026
  16. Teeth and medication, Better Health Channel (Victoria), accessed September 2026
  17. Dental treatment, Better Health Channel (Victoria), accessed September 2026
  18. Tooth extraction, MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine, accessed September 2026
  19. Osteonecrosis of the jaw, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, accessed September 2026
  20. Extractions, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026
  21. Osteoporosis and oral health, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026

This article is general information about oral health. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a dentist or doctor who knows your situation. If you have pain, swelling, bleeding that does not settle, or a problem that is getting worse, see a dental professional. In an emergency, contact your local emergency service.

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