Eusebio Dental
ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA
Immediate Dentures
Care After Teeth Are Removed
What to Do Today
• Keep the denture in place until the first follow-up visit unless we tell you to remove it.
• Bite on the denture gently to help control swelling and bleeding.
• Use ice: 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off.
• Eat soft, cool foods.
• Do not rinse hard, spit hard, smoke, vape, use a straw, or lift heavy things.
What to Expect Next
Tomorrow
• Follow the exact removal and cleaning steps given at your first check.
• Rinse the denture and mouth gently.
• Warm salt water may be used after 24 hours if we tell you to.
• Put the denture back in after cleaning so swelling does not block it from fitting.
Days 2-3
• Swelling is often worst on Day 2 or 3.
• The denture may feel tighter or looser as swelling changes.
• Sore spots are common and can be adjusted.
Days 4-7
• Pain and swelling should start to improve.
• Keep the denture and mouth clean.
• Keep all adjustment visits.
Later Healing
• The gums and bone shrink as they heal.
• The denture will need adjustments and may need a soft liner or reline.
• After the first healing period, remove the denture at night unless we tell you otherwise.
Pain Medicine
Adult doses only. Use these medicines only if they are safe for you.
• Mild or moderate pain: Take ONE — ibuprofen up to 600 mg OR acetaminophen up to 1,000 mg.
• More pain: Take BOTH together.
• Wait at least 6 hours before the next dose. Do not take more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
• Do not take more than 2,400 mg of ibuprofen or 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours.
• Check all medicine labels for acetaminophen. Ask us, your doctor, or a pharmacist if you are not sure.
• Do not take either medicine if a doctor has told you to avoid it.
Normal Healing
• Mild bleeding the first day
• Swelling for 2–3 days
• Mild bruising
• Sore spots
• A changing denture fit
• More saliva
• Slow improvement
Call Eusebio Dental
Call or text Eusebio Dental for:
• A denture you cannot put back in
• Bleeding that will not stop
• Pain or swelling that gets worse after Day 3
• Fever, pus, or a strong bad smell
• A sharp sore spot or large ulcer
• A cracked or broken denture
• Any problem that worries you
Emergency -
Call 911
Call 911 now for:
• Trouble breathing
• Severe swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow
• Bleeding you cannot control
You Might Be Wondering
Should I remove the denture tonight?
Keep it in until the first check unless we gave you different instructions.
Why does the fit change?
Swelling rises and falls, and the gums shrink as they heal.
Will I need adjustments?
Yes. Adjustment visits are a normal part of immediate denture care.
When do I remove it at night?
After the first healing instructions are complete, remove it at night unless we tell you otherwise.
Helpful Tips
Why This Matters
• Keep every adjustment visit.
• Do not leave the denture out for a long time during the first day.
• Bring the denture with you if you have a sore spot.
• Do not file, bend, or glue the denture yourself.
• Start with small bites and soft foods.
• The denture can help protect the extraction sites and control swelling.
• Early removal may make it hard to put the denture back in.
• Adjustments help protect the healing gums.
• Later relines help the denture fit as the mouth changes.
Reviewed by:
Dr. Joseph Eusebio, DMD, MBA
Last Reviewed:
July 2026
Sources:
https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/dentures | https://commons.ada.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1295&context=patientbrochures | https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22120-tooth-extraction
Immediate Dentures