Protect the clot
A blood clot forms in the socket and supports early healing. During the first 24 hours, avoid rinsing, forceful spitting, or touching the socket. Avoid smoking or vaping; ask your surgeon about the recommended period of abstinence.
Food and activity
Choose soft, cool or lukewarm food. Avoid chewing while numb and protect the lip and cheek from biting. Rest initially and follow the instructions about exercise and alcohol.
If bleeding restarts
Sit upright and bite firmly on a clean, slightly damp gauze pad over the socket for 30 minutes without repeatedly checking. If needed, repeat once. If active bleeding continues after an hour of pressure, contact the treating service urgently. Heavy bleeding, faintness, or difficulty breathing requires emergency assessment. Do not sleep with gauze in your mouth.
Cleaning after the first day
After 24 hours, begin gentle warm salt-water rinses if your surgeon has not advised otherwise. Clean the other teeth and carefully resume cleaning near the area without disturbing the socket.
Pain and warning signs
Use only suitable pain relief as directed. Do not stop prescribed blood-thinning medication yourself. Worsening pain after initial improvement, foul taste, fever, or increasing swelling needs review. A painful dry socket needs local assessment; antibiotics are not automatically the answer.
If sedation or general anaesthesia was used, follow the separate supervision and driving instructions.