Patients have teeth removed for many reasons like tooth infection, gum disease, orthodontic treatment, and wisdom teeth removal. Knowing what to expect after a tooth extraction can help ease your mind as your body begins the healing process. It is understandable that one of the most common questions asked after a tooth extraction in Leesburg, VA, is, “Is my mouth healing properly?”
Some bleeding is normal. You should expect oozing and a small amount of bleeding within the first 36 hours following a tooth extraction in Leesburg, VA. If you notice an increase in bleeding, place wet gauze on the area and hold pressure for 30 minutes. Tea bags have tannic acid that helps to control bleeding as well. A moistened tea bag can be applied to the tooth extraction site. Please call the office if you have bleeding that is uncontrollable or persists for more than 48 hours.
Some pain is normal. You can expect to have some pain after a tooth extraction as it is traumatic to the body. However, this sort of pain gets better gradually as the site heals. Since this is expected, your doctor will prepare you with the right medication if needed after the procedure. An intolerable pain that throbs and shoots up the ear may not be normal. This is often a sign of dry socket. Dry socket happens when the blood clot is dislodged from the socket before the wound has healed. There are in-office treatments that can be gently applied to relieve pain.
Some swelling is normal. A tooth extraction is a little traumatic for the body, so some swelling is expected as your body is healing. On average, swelling lasts less than 10 days. Ice can be applied for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off during the first 36 hours.
Concerned your mouth is not healing correctly after your tooth extraction or you might have a dry socket? Contact our office immediately!
It may not be your favorite way to spend a weekend, but having a tooth pulled is sometimes necessary. When a tooth is extracted, it leaves a temporary hole in its place.
Several factors determine the length of time needed for this hole to close, including your tooth’s size and the type of extraction. It may take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Read on to learn more about how long it takes for a hole to close after a tooth extraction and some tips for a manageable recovery.
There are two types of tooth extraction processes. Your recovery time will largely be determined by which one you’ve had.
Simple extraction
Simple tooth extractions are done on visible teeth — the ones that have already erupted through your gums. These teeth sometimes require extraction due to:
- infection
- crowding
- severe tooth decay
If your tooth being extracted is large or has several roots, it will take longer to heal. You should see the hole close by the end of the third week, but complete healing and elimination of the hole may take several months.
During this time, the hole will be closed, but may have an indentation you can feel with your finger or tongue.
Visible teeth may also require extraction before orthodontic work to help make room for your remaining teeth to align properly in your mouth.
A simple extraction is done with a local anesthetic to numb the area. You’ll usually remain awake and alert during this procedure.
If your tooth being extracted is small, or only has a single root, the hole it leaves behind will close relatively quickly, in around 7 days. Complete healing will take approximately 1 additional week.
Surgical extraction
This procedure is more extensive, so it takes longer for your tooth hole to close than after a simple extraction. Tissues and bone are cut underneath the gum line during surgical extractions.
In the case of surgical extraction, your tooth hole will be fully or almost fully closed by 6 weeks after surgery. It may take several more months before the indentation fills in and the healing is complete.
Surgical extraction is often required to remove:
- an impacted tooth, such as wisdom teeth that don’t erupt into your gums
- impacted canine teeth (your sharper teeth near the front of your mouth) above your gum line, especially if you need braces or your child does
- remnants of a visible tooth that has cracked or broken off
- fragments of a tooth that breaks while being removed during a simple extraction
Surgical extraction typically requires the use of a local anesthetic plus general anesthesia.
Healing takes time, but begins as soon as your procedure is complete.
24 to 48 hours after surgery
During the first 24 to 48 hours after extraction, a blood clot will start to form over the hole.
This blood clot helps keep the hole free of food particles and bacteria. It is a necessary first step towards healing and allows gum tissue and bone to start forming.
It won’t be visible to your eye, but new gum tissue has already started to form in the hole.
Bleeding from the hole will slow down and eventually stop during this period. You will continue to have swelling and tenderness on the side of your mouth where your tooth was pulled.
7 to 21 days after surgery
Your tooth hole will start to visibly close as gum tissues repair and regenerate. If you had stitches, they will be removed or start to dissolve.
Large tooth extractions, molars, and any impacted teeth will take the longest amount of time to heal.
1 to 4 months after surgery
Based on how extensive the extraction is, your tooth hole should be completely healed with no indentation.
The hole in your jawbone (your tooth’s socket) should also be completely filled in with new bone.
If no blood clot forms over your tooth hole, or it is dislodged, dry socket may occur.
Dry socket is a potential complication of tooth extraction surgery that interferes with the growth of new bone and development of your soft tissue meant to form over the clot.
You have a greater risk of dry socket if you:
- have an infection in your tooth hole
- have an injury at the extraction site from the procedure
- have had dry socket before
- smoke, chew, or vape nicotine products
- take oral contraceptives
- don’t keep the area clean of bacteria and food debris
Call your doctor if you experience any signs of infection or dry socket, including:
- severe swelling or swelling that starts 3 or more days after surgery
- intense pain or new pain
- throbbing, tingling, or scratching in your tooth hole or surrounding area
- pus
- heavy bleeding
- fever
- numbness
- pus or blood in nasal discharge
- bad taste that remains, even after rinsing
- seeing bone in the hole
- your tooth hole doesn’t have a visible clot or does not appear to be getting smaller after 2 to 4 days
If you have an infection, your doctor will prescribe oral antibiotics or an antimicrobial or antiseptic mouthwash for you to use.
If you have dry socket, your dentist will flush out the area to rid it of food particles, bacteria, and debris. Your dentist may also pack the socket with medication and gauze.
Dry socket can be painful. Over-the-counter medications are usually enough to reduce or eliminate discomfort.
When a tooth is extracted, it leaves a temporary hole in its place that can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to fill in and heal.
The first all-important step to healing your tooth hole is the formation of a blood clot. If a blood clot does not form or is dislodged, dry socket may occur.
Habits such as drinking through a straw or smoking cigarettes can interfere with healing. Proper aftercare, such as keeping the area clean and getting enough rest, can help accelerate healing.