Day by day
| When | Eat | Do | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 24 hours | Cool, soft food: curd, dal, khichdi, mashed potato, soft idli | Bite on the gauze for 30–45 minutes; rest with your head raised | Hot drinks, straws, spitting hard, rinsing, smoking, alcohol, exercise |
| Days 2–3 | Soft food, lukewarm: upma, poha, soft roti soaked in dal, scrambled egg, paneer bhurji | Rinse gently with warm salt water after meals; brush other teeth normally | Crunchy, spicy or very hot food; chewing on that side |
| Days 4–7 | Most normal food, cut small | Keep rinsing after meals; brush gently near the socket | Hard nuts, chips and bones near the socket |
| After a week | Normal food | Keep the area clean | Nothing special for a simple extraction |
Foods to avoid in the first few days
- Hot tea, coffee and soup
- Chips, namkeen, nuts, popcorn and seeds
- Spicy curries and pickles, which sting the socket
- Rice and small grains, until eating near the socket is comfortable
- Anything through a straw
- Alcohol
Looking after the socket
- Don’t rinse for the first 24 hours. After that, rinse gently with warm salt water (half a teaspoon in a glass) after meals, letting it fall out rather than spitting.
- Brush your other teeth the same night, gently near the socket from the next day.
- Take painkillers as advised. Most soreness settles in two to three days.
- Sleep with an extra pillow for the first night.
- Use a cold pack on the cheek for 10–15 minutes at a time on the first day if there’s swelling.
When to call us
Call us if you have:
- pain that eases and then gets worse around days two to four, often with a bad taste or smell. This can be dry socket, which is treated quickly at the clinic.
- bleeding that doesn’t stop after 20 minutes of firm pressure
- swelling that’s still increasing after day three, or a fever
- numbness that hasn’t gone by the next day
If swelling spreads towards your eye or neck, or you have difficulty swallowing or breathing, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
We’re open 10am to 8pm every day and check the earliest available appointment for tooth pain. Read more about tooth extraction and wisdom tooth removal.
Questions patients ask us
What can I eat on day 1 after tooth extraction?
Cool or lukewarm soft food that needs little chewing, such as curd, lassi without a straw, dal, khichdi, mashed potato, soft idli, upma or a cooled smoothie eaten with a spoon. Start once the numbness has gone, so you don't bite your cheek.
When can I eat normal food after an extraction?
Usually after three to five days for a simple extraction, and about a week after wisdom tooth surgery. Bring back firmer food gradually and keep chewing on the other side at first.
Can I drink tea or coffee after an extraction?
Not hot for the first 24 hours, because heat can dissolve the clot. Let it cool to lukewarm. Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours.
How long does bleeding last after a tooth extraction?
Oozing that stains your saliva pink is normal for the first day. If it's still bleeding steadily, bite firmly on a folded gauze or a damp tea bag for 20 minutes. If it doesn't stop, call us.
What should I eat after extraction with stitches?
The same soft foods. Avoid seeds, rice grains that lodge in the socket in the first days, and crunchy snacks. Dissolving stitches fall out on their own in one to two weeks.
When can I smoke after a tooth extraction?
Ideally not for at least 48 hours, and longer if you can. Smoking is the biggest avoidable cause of dry socket.
Sources
ADA MouthHealthy: tooth extractions ↗ADA MouthHealthy: dry socket ↗NHS: wisdom tooth removal ↗Last updated 22 October 2026.