At Pleasant Dental, we perform a tooth extraction in the least invasive manner possible to shorten the recovery time. Most of our patients will recover in the office for around an hour while we make sure that the bleeding has sufficiently slowed down, and any anesthesia is wearing off. We typically recommend having someone pick you up after having a tooth extraction. At home, you will want to rest and taking a nap is highly recommended. Be sure to drink plenty of water but avoid drinking anything that is too hot or too cold as this could lead to sensitivity for the first couple of days. We also recommend avoiding the use of a straw, for the first few days, as the suction could cause the affected area to start bleeding. How the procedure was completed will influence how long it takes to recover but, in general, the swelling will go down after a few days. In our family dentist office, we recommend taking ibuprofen to help reduce the swelling and to use an ice pack or cold compress for 15 minutes at a time. During your recovery, you should eat foods that are high in nutrition but soft. Drinking a smoothie with vegetables, fruit, yogurt, and protein powder is an excellent way to keep your nutrition levels up without needing to bite down on anything. As you add foods back in, be sure to start with things that are soft like noodles and gradually work your way up to a full diet. While caring for your mouth after a tooth extraction, you also need to keep your mouth as clean as possible. Brush your surrounding teeth like normal while carefully avoiding the surgical site. You can also rinse with water and baking soda or an antibacterial mouthwash to reduce the risk of an infection developing. We may want to see you for a follow-up appointment, as well.