Tool
Extraction healing timeline
What to expect day by day. What is normal. When to contact the dentist.
0 to 2 hours after the procedure
Numbness of the cheek, tongue and lip from the anaesthetic. Slight bleeding into the saliva. Bite on the gauze for 30 to 45 minutes.
Heavy bleeding that does not stop even after an hour of biting on gauze. Loss of consciousness.
Bite on the gauze, cool the cheek, no hot drinks. Do not spit or drink through a straw.
2 to 8 hours after the procedure
The anaesthetic wears off. Pain sets in, manageable with ibuprofen 400 mg. Swelling starts to grow.
Pain that neither ibuprofen nor paracetamol relieves. Sudden severe swelling with fever.
Ibuprofen 400 mg every 6 hours. Cool the cheek 15 minutes on / 15 minutes off.
Day 1 (24 hours)
Facial swelling, mild pain, jaw stiffness. The wound is covered by a blood clot.
Throbbing pain that gets worse. Bad breath. Dry socket (alveolitis).
Rinse with lukewarm salt water after meals. No hot drinks. No smoking.
Days 2 to 3
Swelling peaks, then subsides. Pain eases. The wound is covered by a white film (fibrin).
Swelling spreading to the neck, fever above 38 °C, trouble swallowing.
Stop the ice packs, switch to warm compresses. Soft food.
Days 4 to 5
Pain is minimal. Swelling has almost gone. The wound closes from the outside.
New severe pain (late dry socket). Bleeding again.
Gradually return to a normal diet, but still avoid chewing at the extraction site.
Days 6 to 7
The wound is closed. Follow-up check-up with the dentist (if scheduled).
Persistent pain, bad breath, an open wound.
Normal diet. Brush carefully around the site.
Weeks 2 to 4
The soft tissue is fully healed. The bone underneath heals for another 2 to 4 months.
Nothing. If pain persists, contact your dentist.
Normal dental hygiene. Consider an implant or bridge after 3 months.
When to call emergency services (155) immediately
- Uncontrollable bleeding that does not stop even after an hour of biting on gauze
- Loss of consciousness, severe dizziness
- Swelling spreading to the neck and blocking breathing
- Fever above 39 °C in the first days after the procedure
This site does not provide medical advice. The timeline is indicative; every patient heals individually. If in any doubt, contact your dental practice.