Although it may not be your favorite thing to do, tooth extraction may sometimes be necessary. Generally, tooth extractions are performed to remove wisdom teeth, but they may also be required in case of a serious injury, advanced tooth decay, or other periodontal diseases. When a tooth is extracted, it leaves behind a temporary hole in its place.
Several factors determine the length of time required for the hole to close including the size of the tooth or the type of extraction. Ideally, bone graft healing may take a few weeks to months. If you are wondering about tooth extraction healing stages or wish to know the healing timeline, this article is for you. In this article, we will take a look into the healing stages as well as some tips for faster recovery.
Tooth Extraction Healing Process
The healing process after a tooth extraction begins as soon as the procedure is complete. However, the length of the healing time depends on the type of extraction. For instance, a simple extraction will take less time to heal than a surgical extraction. Complete healing for both can take up to several months.
Regardless of the type of extraction, here is the healing process for an extracted tooth:
The First 24 Hours
During the first 24 hours after the tooth extraction, many changes will start occurring in the mouth. The first change is the formation of blood clots. As soon as the tooth extraction is done, a blood clot will begin to form, and the sutures in the mouth will help the tissue start healing.
This will cause some minor pain and bleeding during the first 24 hours of the recovery process. Due to this, the dentist may prescribe certain pain medications to relieve your pain throughout the process.
Usually, these changes would not keep you from returning to your work or non-strenous activities. However, your dentist will limit your athletic activities for some time.
In addition, swelling will peak around 24 hours after the surgery. This can be managed with ice packs pressed to the face. Swelling and pain should subside within a few days after the surgery. If, however, your symptoms persist, visit your dentist at the earliest.
One to Two Days After Extraction
The first two days after the extraction are the most important of the tooth extraction healing stages, as this is the time when your mouth undergoes the majority of its healing. During this time, bleeding and soreness will be low, but you must take proper care to ensure a speedy recovery. To aid the recovery:
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- Get Ample Rest: Take rest for at least the first 24 hours after the extraction.
- Change Gauze: Keep the first gauze for a few hours to allow blood clots to form. Once done, change the gauze as and when required.
- Take Pain Medications: Depending on the type of tooth extraction, the dentist will prescribe certain pain medications. Make sure to take these on time to relieve discomfort.
- Avoid Smoking or Drinking With Straws: The suction required to puff on a cigarette or drink via straw creates additional pressure in the mouth that can cause complications with blood clot formation. Hence, make sure to avoid both for the first few days of your recovery period.
- Elevate the Head: When sleeping, use additional pillows to prop your head up and stp blood from poolin in the mouth.
Three Days After Extraction
After three days of extraction, the empty tooth socket or hole will show considerable healing. There will be no signs of bleeding, and the swelling will also be minimal. A slight amount of tenderness or soreness may still be felt, but there will be no pain or discomfort.
During this stage, it is important to aid the healing process by keeping the blood clot in place. This requires some additional measures, such as:
- Saline Rinses: Rinse your mouth gently with a warm saline solution to prevent bacteria from growing in the area and infection from spreading.
- Brush and Floss: At this point, you can start brushing and flossing as normal, but avoid touching the extraction site.
- Eat Soft Foods: Plan to eat only soft foods during the healing process to avoid food getting trapped in the socket.
One Week After Extraction
After 7 to 10 days of extraction, the clot will be completely formed and in place. If you have stitches, they will be removed or disappear on their own (in case of dissolving stitches). There should be no pain or bleeding. However, if you still notice bleeding, reach out to your dentist immediately.
Two Weeks After Extraction
At this tooth extraction healing stage, you can expect the tooth socket to be completely healed. The tissues in the area, however, would still be sensitive or tender to touch. Hence, do not brush around the area and avoid chewing food near the region.
Three Weeks and Beyond
After three weeks to a month, the healing process is at its final stage. Some tenderness may still be felt at the extraction site, but it should not cause pain. During this stage, you only need to ensure proper cleaning and avoid debris from building up in the socket.
Takeaway
Tooth extraction healing takes time. Although the tooth extraction healing stages are the same for everyone, the timeline of recovery will depend on your oral health and additional precautions during the process.
Are you thinking of getting a tooth extraction?
Consult Our Dentists At Periodontal Specialists
Whether you are looking to get your wisdom tooth extracted, need a general checkup or need expert advice on your oral health, we have got you covered at Periodontal Specialists. Our team of highly experienced dentists are always at your disposal to make your oral health better.
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