Time to heal
After extractions, your mouth will need time to heal. Learn what to expect at each phase of your healing journey, what to prioritize and how to stay comfortable along the way.
Within the first 72 hours after extraction(s), your rest and recovery is our top priority. We recommend preparing the following ahead of time so you stay comfortable when you need R&R the most:
Stay nourished
After your procedure, you may not feel like eating. Stay healthy with quick meals such as protein shakes, mashed potatoes, lukewarm soup or soft pasta. Avoid extreme hot or cold foods.
Stock up on supplies
Some swelling, bruising or run-off from your mouth can be normal at this stage of healing. Prepare towels, face cloths and ice packs to help.
Make your bed
It’s normal to experience excess saliva from your mouth as it heals. Prepare a reclining chair or pillows on your bed to remain upright when sleeping.
Prep your meds
Prep medications you currently take, or that your dentist prescribed, so they’re ready to go. Keep a cup of water near your sleeping set up too.
Need-to-know: 1 - 3 days
Throughout the first few days, you may experience soreness, bleeding and swelling—this is normal. To avoid infection and help your mouth recover, skip straws, spitting and smoking. Make sure to keep your denture in—even when sleeping—in these first few days.
In the 2 weeks following your extractions, you’ll begin noticing loose or dissolving stitches, reduced swelling and minimal to no bleeding. To keep your recovery progressing smoothly, you can:
Let’s talk
Get comfortable speaking with your denture by biting down on it and reading aloud.
Ease into eating
To practice eating, put food on either side of your mouth and chew small bites of soft foods.
Get your ZZZs
After the first 3 to 5 days of healing, you’ll be ready to sleep without your denture in your mouth.
Keep it clean
Once you can take out your denture, you’ll be ready to clean it for good oral health. Gently cleanse it using dish soap and a soft denture brush.
Need-to-know: 2 weeks
During this time, your dentures may feel loose or too big, your tongue or mouth muscles may feel sore, or you may notice increased saliva—these symptoms are normal. As swelling goes down, your mouth will heal and adjust.
Between 2 to 4 weeks after your extraction(s), you’ll likely notice a few things as your healing progresses:
Time to eat
After weeks of soft food, by the 2- to 3-week mark, moderately firm foods are back on the menu.
Love your gums
By the 1-month mark, your gums should be healed and ready for gentle brushing with a soft brush.
Feelin’ alright
While discomfort is common as your denture becomes familiar, pain should be behind you after 1 month.
Transform your denture
After you’ve finished healing, you’ll be ready for the best part: relining your denture or creating a brand new one. This next step is based on the denture you select at the start of your journey, or you can upgrade for an even better fitting smile at any time.
Reline your denture
For Basic, Classic and Naturalytes® dentures, we’ll resurface your denture with a new acrylic base for a better-fitting, more comfortable smile.
Craft a new denture
For Comfilytes® dentures, we’ll craft a new, custom denture for your smile. Plus, you can keep your healing (or immediate) denture as a backup.