Undergoing a dental extraction is never a pleasant experience. The idea of pulling out a tooth is not necessarily amusing. It can make you wonder how long the healing from extraction might take. So here is this blog to shed light on the time required to heal post-extraction. Let’s understand the stages of recovery after teeth removal to help in managing expectations and ensure unerring oral care:
Immediate Aftercare
The upkeep post-extraction begins immediately. In the first 24 hours, a blood clot forms in the socket (extraction site) to protect the underlying bone and tissue. The patient mustn’t indulge in any activity that risks dislodging this clot. Losing the clot makes healing a slow progress and downtime increases. So refrain from aggressive rinsing, smoking, or using straws during this period. If you notice bleeding, apply gentle pressure with gauze on the surgery site.
First Week: Initial Healing
You might notice swelling and discomfort in the initial days. Don’t panic! It’s normal. You can apply ice packs to the jaw around the extraction site for 15–20 minutes at a time. It can help with swelling. You shouldn’t skip over-the-counter pain relievers to manage the nagging discomfort of dental extractions. Also, pay close attention to your oral hygiene as keeping the operation area clean is of utmost importance.
Second Week: Progressing Recovery
By the second week, you might notice the growth of soft tissue around the socket. The initial discomfort should diminish, and the patient can resume normal activities. However, the patient must handle the extraction site gently while brushing or flossing.
Third to Fourth Week: Continued Healing
Between the third and fourth weeks, soft tissues might fill the socket. If not, you may need to rest for a couple more days for it to happen. However, the jawbone inside can take almost four months to heal completely. On the outside, you might see a small indent in the area of the extraction site. The healing jawbone causes this.
What Else Can Influence the Time Required to Heal Post-Extraction?
Let’s check out the factors that can affect the healing time necessary post-removal:
- Type of Extraction: The back teeth or molars generally take longer to heal than others.
- Individual Health: How strong the immune system of a patient is determines the time required to heal post-extraction.
- Oral Hygiene: How well one cares for oral health after tooth removal also decides the healing period.
- Lifestyle Habits: People with habits like smoking or alcoholism might struggle with the bone healing journey and delay recovery.
When to Consult Your Dentist After Tooth Extraction?
While facing discomfort post-surgery is normal, you need quick dental attention if you have:
- Severe pain at the extraction site
- Excessive bleeding for 24 hours or more
- Signs of infection like fever, pus, or a foul odor from the extraction site
- Dry socket or dislodged blood clot that’s exposing bone and nerves
The most attention patients must pay to post-removal is the healing. Neglecting aftercare and skipping dentist visits only delay the identification of potential oral health issues. Simply following your dentist’s guidelines and maintaining good oral hygiene can make the recovery seamless.
For personalized advice or concerns about your healing process, please contact our dental professional.
