Within 14-21 days, the hole will close, and your gums will heal. Keep in mind that large teeth, like the back teeth and wisdom teeth removal, takes the longest to heal. After a month, your tooth hole should be completely healed, and there should be no spicules or indentations.
After having a tooth extracted, you can expect to heal within 1-2 weeks, but this varies on a case by case basis. In this blog from Woburn Dental Associates, we're detailing the entire healing process following an extraction so read on to learn more.
7 to 21 days after surgery
Large tooth extractions, molars, and any impacted teeth will take the longest amount of time to heal.
3 Days Post Extraction
After about 3 days, the empty tooth socket will have mostly healed. There should be no more bleeding present, and swelling should be minimal at this point. You may still experience some tenderness or soreness, but you should no longer feel pain or discomfort.
You should drink plenty of water after your tooth extraction to keep the extraction site clear and prevent infection. Remember to not drink through a straw, though, since the sucking motion can disturb the extraction site.
Don't poke around the tooth extraction site
Having a tooth removed may seem a little strange at first but it's important to avoid poking it with your tongue, finger, tissue or toothpick. It can destroy any blood clot formed, provoke further bleeding and lead to a dry socket.
Regardless of the type of extraction you get, it can take up to two weeks to recover from tooth extraction. Dentists typically recommend waiting to brush your teeth with toothpaste for at least three days after having a tooth pulled.
When Can I Stop Worrying About Dry Socket? Until the full recovery of your extraction site, a dry socket can form if you fail to follow the care tips. Usually, a week (7-8 days) after wisdom tooth extraction, you can stop worrying about a dry socket as gums take this much time to close fully.
Dry sockets become increasingly painful in the days after a tooth extraction. They may also have exposed bone or tissue, or an unpleasant smell. By comparison, normal healing sockets get less painful over time and do not cause any other symptoms. A dry socket can be very painful, but it is not usually serious.
People should rest for at least the first 24 hours after the extraction. Avoiding strenuous activity is necessary. This may reduce bleeding and prevent losing the blood clot from the socket. Maintaining the blood clot is a very important aspect of aftercare.
Following the extraction, it is necessary to eat a diet of soft foods that will not irritate the area during recovery. If a patient does not have sensitive teeth, ice cream is one of the first things that they should reach for following a tooth extraction.
Stick with foods like soup, yogurt, and applesauce. Gently rinse with warm salt water or a medicated mouthwash. This will eliminate bacteria around the area and keep the extraction site healthy.
A teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water gently rinsed around the socket twice a day can help to clean and heal the area. Keep this up for at least a week or for as long as your dentist tells you.
Keeping your mouth clean with salt water prevents infection by keeping bacteria and food particles away from the open wounds. In addition to keeping your surgical sites clean, salt water rinses following wisdom teeth removal can alleviate discomfort by reducing swelling and help freshen your breath.
Changes in temperature will have an effect on your tooth after extraction. The wound is still healing and requires ample time. Avoid foods that are too cold or too hot because they will be doing a disservice to your healing process. Instead, go for warm foods and lukewarm fluids until your gum is fully healed.
Water – Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and flush food particles away from the extraction site. Sports Drinks – Non-carbonated sports drinks hydrate effectively but they also usually contain high levels of sugar. If you consume sports drinks, be sure to brush your teeth afterward.
In order for your mouth to heal properly, you should avoid your favorite cup of coffee at least for the first few days. As long as the extraction site heals day after day, you'll be able to carefully sip a caffeinated beverage about 5 days once your tooth has been removed.
Signs of infection after extraction
Instead of the pain getting better from the extraction, it gets worse. The bleeding continues for more than 24 hours. Experiencing an unpleasant or foul smell coming from the mouth. Seeing discharge in or around the area.
Your body is using energy to heal itself, so you may feel more tired than usual – this is perfectly normal.
After tooth extraction surgery, it's common to feel throbbing in the extraction area (known as the 'socket') as well as sensitivity. This is perfectly normal, and your dentist will likely prescribe some pain relief to help you minimise discomfort.
The extraction isn't a painful process, but you may experience pain and soreness after the procedure. These symptoms should subside within 2-5 days, but it is crucial to follow all post-extraction care instructions provided by your dentist.
Oral surgery, no matter if it is surgery for periodontal disease, tooth extractions, or dental implant placement, can leave you feeling uncomfortable for a few days. Getting plenty of rest and sleep is crucial for healing properly following surgery.