After a tooth extraction, the first two weeks are spent recovering from the procedure. However, proper aftercare can speed up your recovery. Rest:  Strenuous activities and lifting heavy objects must be avoided as these can increase blood pressure in your head and cause bleeding at the surgical site. Have a soft food diet:  It would help if you had a diet rich in vitamins and minerals to promote wound healing and cell renewal. It is vital to avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods during your recovery to minimise irritation. When you eat soft foods, you get the nutrition you need while limiting soft tissue damage. Avoid using a straw or smoking:  Smoking or drinking through a straw creates negative pressure in your mouth, which may dislodge blood clots in the socket. Dislodging the clot can cause a painful condition called dry socket. It can cause infection, jaw bone deterioration, and nerve damage. Cold Therapy:  Apply a cold pack intermittently to the affected side for 15 minutes at a time. Not only does the cold decrease swelling, but it also numbs the area, easing discomfort. Generally, cold therapy is only effective up to 48 hours after surgery. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: You shouldn’t brush or floss the extraction site for one or two days after the procedure, but rinsing with solution containing a teaspoon of table salt dissolved in a cup of warm water can help prevent infection. Swish the solution in your mouth in the morning, evening, and after eating.