Background: Tooth extraction ranks among the minor oral surgical procedures most frequently carried out in dental practice; however, how well a socket heals is governed less by the surgical technique itself than by what the patient does once they leave the clinic — adherence to postoperative instructions matters more than the extraction technique used.Aim: To evaluate patients' knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding postoperative care following tooth extraction.Materials and Methods: A descriptive, questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was carried out among 100 patients who had undergone tooth extraction. A structured, pre-validated questionnaire covering demographic information along with the knowledge, attitude, and practice domains related to postoperative care was administered, and the responses obtained were summarised using descriptive statistics.Results: Knowledge of postoperative instructions was largely satisfactory, with correct responses ranging from 66% to 88% across items, and attitudes toward postoperative care were consistently favourable, with agreement of 80–85% across items. However, practice trailed behind knowledge on several items: while every participant kept the pressure pack in place as instructed, only 69% carried out saline rinsing and just 62% completed the prescribed course of medication, revealing a clear gap between knowledge and practice.Conclusion: Patients in this Central Maharashtra cohort showed satisfactory knowledge and a favourable attitude toward postoperative care, yet actual compliance — particularly completion of medication and saline rinsing — did not match what they knew. Structured verbal counselling, supported by plain-language written material and follow-up contact, may help close this gap and reduce avoidable complications