Post-Operative Care After Tooth Extraction

Immediate Post-Operative Instructions (First 24 Hours)

Medication	Dose	Frequency	Duration (Days)	Notes
Ibuprofen	400-600mg	Every 6-8 hours	3-5 days	First choice - anti-inflammatory
Paracetamol	500-1000mg	Every 6 hours	3-5 days	If NSAID contraindicated
Codeine (if severe)	30-60mg	Every 4-6 hours	1-2 days	Only if other analgesics insufficient

Ice application: Apply ice pack for 15 minutes, off for 15 minutes (first 24 hours)
After 24 hours: Switch to warm compress (promotes healing)
Elevation: Keep head elevated to reduce swelling
Peak swelling: Usually occurs on day 2-3 (normal)

Food	Portion	Benefits	Temperature
Ice cream	Small bowl	Soft, cold, soothing	Cold
Yogurt (plain)	1 cup (245g)	Protein, probiotics, soft	Cold
Smoothies	1 cup (240ml)	Nutrients, easy to consume	Cold
Applesauce	1 cup (244g)	Soft, vitamin C, easy to swallow	Cold
Pudding	1 cup (142g)	Soft, comfort food	Cold

Food	Portion	Nutritional Value	Temperature
Mashed potatoes	1 cup (210g)	Carbohydrates, energy	Warm
Soup (vegetable/chicken)	1 cup (240ml)	Hydration, nutrients	Warm (not hot)
Scrambled eggs	2 eggs	Protein, amino acids	Warm
Oatmeal	1 cup (240ml)	Fiber, carbohydrates	Warm
Banana (mashed)	1 medium	Potassium, soft	Room temperature
Fish (flaked)	3 oz (85g)	Protein, omega-3	Warm

Nutrient	Food Sources	Daily Requirement	Purpose
Protein	Eggs, chicken, fish, yogurt, beans	50-100g	Tissue repair, healing
Vitamin C	Orange juice, guava, kiwi, papaya	75-90mg	Collagen formation, immune support
Zinc	Oysters, beef, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas	8-11mg	Wound healing, immune function
Calcium	Milk, yogurt, cheese, leafy greens	1000-1200mg	Bone healing, strength
Iron	Beef, spinach, lentils, beans	8-18mg	Oxygen transport, healing

First 24 hours: Do NOT rinse, spit, or brush extraction site
After 24 hours: Gentle warm salt water rinses (1/2 teaspoon salt in 8 oz warm water)
Rinse frequency: After meals and before bed
Avoid: Do not use straws for 1 week (suction can dislodge clot)
Brushing: Avoid extraction site for 1 week, then gentle brushing

Medication	Dose	Frequency	Duration (Days)	Purpose
Ibuprofen	400-600mg	Every 8 hours as needed	7 days	Pain, swelling
Antibiotics (if prescribed)	As directed	As directed	Complete course	Infection prevention
Warm salt water rinse	1/2 tsp salt in 8 oz water	After meals, before bed	7-14 days	Cleansing, healing

Excessive bleeding: Bleeding that doesn't stop after 1 hour
Severe pain: Pain that increases after day 3 or doesn't respond to medication
Fever: Temperature above 38.5°C (101.3°F)
Swelling: Swelling that increases after day 3 or affects airway
Pus or discharge: Yellow or greenish discharge from extraction site
Difficulty swallowing: Severe difficulty swallowing or breathing
Numbness: Persistent numbness beyond 24 hours
Dry socket symptoms: Severe pain starting 3-5 days after extraction (see Dry Socket page)