Healing After Tooth Extraction
A dental provider may recommend a tooth extraction for a number of reasons. Regardless of the reason, it is important to know that a provider will only recommend removing a natural tooth if it is absolutely necessary. When other treatment options are either not effective or are not an option, a tooth extraction procedure may be a last resort. Below is more information on the extraction procedure and recovery period.
Why Tooth Extraction?
A tooth extraction may be recommended for an infected or decaying tooth, a recent oral injury, or wisdom teeth. Before the procedure, it helps to be prepared and informed of all of the steps involved in the procedure and the recovery process. At your pre-procedure appointment you should have a discussion with your dentist and make sure to get all of your questions answered. Some questions you should consider asking your dental provider about your procedure include:
* Should I take time off of work?
* What kind of food can I eat after the procedure?
* Will I need help after the procedure?
* How long should I abstain from physical activity?
How Long Does Recovery From a Tooth Extraction Take?
If you have a tooth extraction procedure scheduled, you may be wondering how long the recovery period is. The recovery will depend on many factors, including:
* The size of the wound. How invasive the extraction procedure is will influence how long the recovery period will take. The larger and deeper the extraction wound, for example from wisdom teeth, the longer the socket will take to heal.
* The body’s natural healing. Everyone’s body heals differently. Besides your body’s normal healing, your current health, age, and health behaviors all will impact how quickly your body and mouth will heal after extraction.
* The tooth that was removed. The health of the extracted tooth may also influence your healing. If the tooth was infected and caused infection in the gum tissue around it, healing may be delayed.
Immediate Healing after Extraction
Important healing processes take place within 24 hours of the tooth being extracted. Immediately, the bleeding will slow, and a blood clot will develop in the empty socket. This blood clot is critical to protecting the exposed bones and nerves in the empty socket and in helping to form new healthy tissue. You can expect the tissue around the socket to be inflamed and swollen for a few days after the procedure. After 2-3 days, both the pain and swelling should start to decline. From the newly formed blood clot, new gum tissue will begin to grow around the extraction site, and new bone growth will follow within the first week.
Follow-up procedures
If you are excited to schedule your tooth replacement procedure following your tooth extraction, you will need to wait until the healing period is complete. The healing period after the extraction can range between one to 6 months. This period is essential to your future oral health and the health of the new replacement tooth. Your dentist may have ideas for temporary replacement options until it is time for your tooth replacement procedure.