Dr. Peter Cameron
Toothache, broken tooth, or swelling? Don’t wait in pain. We offer same-day emergency dental appointments to give you fast, effective care.

Give us a call on (02) 4942 1633 to book in now.

Tooth Extractions Aftercare: Tips for a Smooth Recovery

October 18, 2025
|
Posted By: Dr Peter Cameron

Tooth extraction is sometimes necessary to improve your oral health or set you up for specific treatments like orthodontics or tooth replacement. Your dentist may also recommend extraction if you have problematic wisdom teeth.

In this blog, we explore why you may need extractions in Charlestown, NSW, and extraction aftercare.

Common Reasons You Might Need Extraction

  • Deeply Decayed or Damaged Tooth: If your tooth cannot be saved with traditional treatment and crowning, your dentist will recommend extraction. This type of extraction should be followed by tooth replacement.
  • As a Pretreatment: If you’re considering orthodontics, your dentist may recommend an extraction if your jaw is not large enough to accommodate a full arch of teeth without overcrowding.
  • Wisdom Teeth: You don’t need wisdom teeth for oral function or aesthetics. So, if they partially erupt or encroach on neighbouring teeth, your dentist will recommend extraction.

Before extraction, we use local anaesthesia with the goal of numbing the treatment site.

Aftercare Tips Following Tooth Extraction

Your dentist provides custom tips based on your specific case, but typically, we recommend the following:

  • Avoid hot foods until anaesthesia wears off.
  • Rinse your mouth according to the dentist’s instructions, but don’t spit. Allow the water to drain from your mouth into the basin.
  • Avoid tobacco products for at least the first day to promote faster healing.
  • Avoid drinking through a straw for at least the first day to avoid dislodging the healing clot.
  • For the first day or two, stick to a soft food diet, such as custard, mashed potatoes, smoothies and the like.
  • Take any prescribed or recommended medications on time.
  • Always call our dental clinic if you have questions or concerns.

For Tooth Extractions, Your Charlestown Dentist Welcomes Your Call

If you have a damaged tooth or notice problematic wisdom teeth erupting, we encourage you to contact our dental clinic to book a consultation with the dentist.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks, and we recommend seeking a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner before proceeding.