Home Remedies for Swollen Face After Tooth Extraction

— Originally published October 23, 2023 —

So, you had a tooth pulled, and now your face looks like you just survived a few rounds in the boxing ring with Mike Tyson.

Don’t panic.

Facial swelling after a tooth extraction is perfectly normal, and it’s something you should expect. This puffiness is simply your immune system’s natural healing response at work. To repair the damaged gum tissue and jawbone, your body floods the extraction area with extra blood and vital nutrients.

This temporary buildup of fluids is what causes the visible swelling. 

How severe the swelling gets depends on several factors, and varies from person to person. These include the complexity of your procedure, age, how many teeth were removed, overall health, and which tooth was extracted. Back teeth extractions, especially wisdom teeth, usually result in more significant swelling.

For most patients, swelling reaches its peak around the third day after the dental appointment. From there, it should steadily go down and be largely gone within a week. 

At Canal Vista Family Dental in Princeton, NJ, Dr. Nesrine Bestandji, DMD, routinely performs tooth extractions. In this article, she shares simple, effective home remedies to help reduce swelling, ease discomfort, and speed up recovery, so your face can look normal again in no time.

4 Ways to Get Rid of Swelling After Tooth Extraction:

1) Apply a Cold Compress

Using an ice pack or cold compress during the first 24 hours after a tooth extraction is one of the most effective home remedies for keeping swelling under control.

The intense cold causes blood vessels to constrict, preventing excess fluid from collecting in the tissues around the extraction site. Besides reducing puffiness, this cold therapy naturally numbs the nerves to take the edge off your pain. 

To use an ice pack properly:

• Wrap it in a clean, dry cloth to protect your skin from frostbite, then place it against the affected side of your cheek for 20 minutes
• Remove the ice for the next 20 minutes so your skin can rest (be sure to put the compress back in the freezer), then repeat this cycle for the entire first day

For maximum benefit, start the icing rotation the moment you get home from your dental visit.

Once the initial 24-hour window passes, swap to a warm compress to help boost blood circulation and encourage the swelling to subside. 

Replace the ice pack with a warm cloth or hot water bottle and stick to the same rhythm — 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off — and repeat as needed.

2) Eat Soft, Cool Foods

As you recover at home, pay close attention to what you eat and drink, as some foods and beverages can make swelling worse.

Avoid crunchy or hard foods such as nuts, chips, and raw carrots; spicy meals that can inflame your gums; piping-hot tea, coffee, or soup; and carbonated beverages for the first two to three days after your tooth removal.

Instead, fill your plate with soft, nutrient-rich, easy-to-chew options that are gentle on the extraction area to support healing. Excellent choices include:

• Mashed potatoes
• Yogurt
• Smoothies
• Applesauce
• Scrambled eggs
• Lukewarm soups
• Pasta
• Protein shakes

Whenever you eat, make a conscious effort to chew exclusively on the side of your mouth opposite the wound to avoid putting pressure on it. 

Also, drink plenty of water—aim for at least eight glasses daily—to stay hydrated, help flush out toxins, and support a quicker recovery. 

One thing to avoid, though, is drinking through a straw, especially if you had your wisdom teeth removed. The suction force can dislodge the developing blood clot protecting the extraction site, leading to an incredibly painful complication known as “dry socket.”

Curious what to eat for healthy teeth and gums post-recovery? Check out our guide: 8 Dentist-Approved Foods that Naturally Strengthen Your Teeth and Gums.

3) Do Warm Salt Water Rinses

Your dentist or oral surgeon will likely recommend bathing the tooth socket with a warm saltwater solution. Acting as a natural, homemade antiseptic, this rinse should be used at least three times daily—or after every meal—for about five days.

Doing so keeps the area clean, soothes irritated tissue, and sweeps away bacteria and trapped food particles, lowering the risk of secondary infections that could otherwise trigger prolonged swelling.

Mayo Clinic suggests stirring half a teaspoon of salt into an 8-ounce glass of warm water, then swishing it gently around your mouth for about a minute before spitting it out.

However, timing is everything: skip saltwater rinses entirely for the first day post-surgery, since swishing too soon could dislodge the stabilizing blood clot.

Maintaining solid oral hygiene is essential for good wound healing. Alongside the rinses, continue brushing your other teeth as usual, but steer clear of the extraction site for the first several days.

4) Take Anti-Inflammatory Medication

Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen are highly effective at easing swelling and relieving discomfort following a tooth extraction. 

That said, it’s important to consult your Princeton, NJ, dentist before starting any NSAIDs, as they may not be suitable for everyone and could lead to complications in some cases. 

If you choose to use these drugs, stick to the recommended dosage and never exceed the maximum daily limit printed on the packaging. 

Additionally, avoid aspirin or aspirin-containing medications, because they thin the blood, increasing bleeding, and slowing the healing process.

If you had a surgical tooth extraction at Canal Vista Family Dental, Dr. Bestandji may prescribe an antibiotic when there are signs of infection or a high risk of developing one. Make sure you complete the full course of antibiotics, even if your symptoms clear up before you’ve finished the medication. 

What Makes Facial Swelling Worse? (Actions to Avoid) 

Doing the wrong thing after a tooth extraction can result in more inflammation and drag out your recovery time. To keep the puffiness down, avoid these habits: 

• Smoking and Vaping: The heat from cigarette smoke can irritate the extraction area, while the sucking motion involved in smoking or vaping may dislodge the protective blood clot. When that clot is lost too early, it opens the door to infection or painful conditions such as dry socket. It’s best to skip cigarettes and vapes altogether until you’ve healed. 

• Heavy Lifting and Intense Workouts: Pushing your body too hard spikes your blood pressure, which can send more blood to the extraction site, leading to throbbing pain and increased swelling. Give yourself a week off from these before easing back in. 

Know When to Call Your Princeton, NJ Dentist

Please contact Canal Vista Family Dental immediately if your facial swelling persists past 3–4 days and is accompanied by any of the following warning signs:

1. Excessive pain that over-the-counter medication cannot relieve
2. High fever or chills
3. Pus discharge
4. Continuous bleeding
5. A foul taste in your mouth
6. Trouble breathing or swallowing
7. Lip or chin numbness that lingers for hours

These symptoms often point to an infection or other complications that require prompt attention. 

Dr. Bestandji and her skilled dental team will evaluate your condition, identify the issue, and guide you on the next steps to bring the swelling down and keep your recovery on track. 

Call 609-452-8630 to book your visit today, or fill out our online contact form for the best personalized post-tooth-extraction aftercare right here in Princeton, NJ.