Brush Teeth After Tooth Extraction: What You Need to Know
Wait time
After a tooth extraction, you should wait avoid extraction site for 24 hours before brushing your teeth.
Why
Protect the blood clot from being dislodged
Warning
Be very gentle near the extraction site
Tips for Brushing your teeth After Tooth Extraction
- 01Brush other teeth normally
- 02Avoid the socket area for several days
Other Activities After Tooth Extraction
See when you can do other activities after your tooth extraction:
Table 1 — Other activities after tooth extraction
| Activity | Wait |
|---|---|
| Use a Straw | 7 days |
| Eat Normally | 24-48 hours for soft foods, 1 week for normal |
| Smoke | 72+ hours minimum, ideally 1 week |
| Drink Alcohol | 48-72 hours |
| Drive | If sedated, 24 hours; local only, when numbness wears off |
| Exercise | 48-72 hours |
Recovery info
Recovery timelines are general guidelines based on typical cases. Individual recovery may vary based on your health, the complexity of your procedure, and other factors. Always follow your dentist's specific post-operative instructions.