When it comes to dental care, a tooth extraction is often seen as the last resort. If you have suffered severe toothache in the past, you probably know that it’s one of the worst pains anyone can experience. And sometimes, the only remedy available to alleviate the pain is pulling the tooth out. There are certain cases that necessitate tooth extraction, including:
If you’re considering a tooth extraction, you’re probably wondering how long it will take for you to heal. Below, we’ll highlight all the stages of the tooth extraction healing process to help you know what to expect.
Many things will happen on the first day after your tooth has been pulled. Blood clots will begin to form at the extraction surface, which helps accelerate the healing process and safeguard your nerve tissue and bone. The sutures in your mouth also play a part in the healing process.
During the first few hours of your surgery, you may experience bleeding, minor pain, and slight swelling. This is normal, and you will be given a painkiller to alleviate these symptoms.
Between 24 and 48 hours following the extraction, you will experience the most intense swelling and stiffness. This healing stage requires the most attention. Apply a cold compress while keeping your head raised to avoid swelling. Also, don’t forget to take any prescribed medication to alleviate pain and discomfort.
On the third day following the extraction, the tooth’s socket will most likely be healed, and the bleeding will have stopped. There should be minor swelling at this stage, though you may still experience some tenderness and soreness around the socket. Try not to dislodge the blood clots, as it may result in a dry socket.
Unless your tooth extraction involved complicated procedures, you could expect your clots to be fully formed within the first week. Non-dissolving stitches will be removed, and dissolving stitches will dissolve on their own. Sockets will have mostly healed towards the end of the second week.
But note that the tissue around the extraction area will be tender and sensitive. So, refrain from chewing a lot of food near the treated surface and avoid brushing too vigorously.
This is the final healing stage. Your extraction site should be completely healed after three to four weeks. Although you may experience minor sensitivity, it shouldn’t cause significant bleeding or pain. At this point, you may start cleaning and possibly flossing to remove food or debris from your empty socket.
The healing process after a tooth extraction varies from case to case. If you have any questions about recovering from tooth extraction, schedule an appointment online with our dentists, Dr. Hysa and Dr. Shamah. You can also call our office at (803) 970-6080 for emergency dental care.
