@lacy2 I’m so happy you found Mayo Connect as well and enjoying the benefits of this caring community. We’re all here to help each other.
The title of your posting caught my attention today. I’m now retired, but I was a certified dental assistant for over 32 years. I’m sorry you weren’t given much information or any advice after your extraction.
Let me assure you, we all heal at different rates. The first few days following an extraction, you have to be cautious to keep the area clean but do NOT rinse vigorously with water. It’s important that the blood clot in the bottom of the socket isn’t dislodged. You may see a little blood tinged saliva for a day or so. That’s normal! But it shouldn’t be openly bleeding.

It’s ok if some food particles get caught. The socket will heal from the bottom up so the food isn’t permanently caught. After a week or so, it’s ok to rinse a little more vigorously.
In the meantime, a suggestion is to take 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water. Take a sip, then gently tip your head from side to side, letting the water swish back and forth over the area and in your mouth. Then spit it out. Just no vigorous cleansing!
It can take months for the bone to fill in as the extraction site heals. So even though the socket area has filled in with skin/tissue, you could still feel an indentation until the bone fills that gap. It may never feel 100% even but eventually will feel smooth to the tongue.

I hope this helps allay your fears. Why were the teeth extracted? Anything else I can help you with?
Wishing you a lovely day, Lori.