The first 24 hours set the tone for the entire healing process. Patients should bite down on the gauze placed at the extraction site for the first 30 to 45 minutes to support blood clot formation. That clot must not be disturbed — vigorous rinsing, using a straw, smoking, or touching the area with the tongue all risk dislodging it and triggering dry socket.

Dry socket — alveolar osteitis — is the most common complication of tooth extractions. It occurs when the blood clot is lost before the socket has healed, exposing bone and nerve tissue to air, food, and bacteria. The result is a sharp, often severe pain that radiates from the extraction site, typically beginning two to four days after the procedure. If these symptoms appear, prompt contact with the dental clinic is essential.

Soft foods — soup, yoghurt, mashed vegetables, scrambled eggs — are the right dietary approach for the first few days. Hard and crunchy foods risk disturbing the healing tissue. Gentle oral hygiene, avoiding the site directly, keeps the rest of the mouth clean without endangering recovery. Most patients are back to their normal routine within three to five days, with full tissue closure taking one to two weeks.