Here at The Smile Space LLC, Lehigh Valley dentist Dr. Maria Jovanna Garubba will always try to save a tooth and only use extraction as a last resort. However, there are instances when this is not possible, and tooth extraction is the best solution for the patient's overall oral health.
While extractions can be quick and painless, your body will need some time to heal after the procedure.
Here's an approximate healing timeline after a tooth has been removed.
As the blood clot forms, it's crucial that you don't dislodge it. Avoid spitting, using a straw, smoking, or anything that could create suction and possibly displace the clot. Otherwise, you might experience a painful condition known as a dry socket.
Swelling usually peaks around the third day and then starts to reduce.
The extraction site should be healing well and start to slowly close up. There might still be a slight indentation in your gum where the tooth was removed, and you may also still have some minor swelling and discomfort.
During this time, continue a good oral hygiene routine, but avoid brushing directly on the extraction site. Instead, you can gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water to keep the area clean.
Most soft tissue healing should be complete. There might still be some minor reshaping of the gum tissue over time, and the bone underneath will continue to heal for the next several months.
Follow these tips to ensure swift recovery after tooth extraction:
As we said, some level of pain and swelling is normal after tooth extraction. However, if the pain is severe and persistent, if you have a foul taste in your mouth, or if you can see part of the bone in the socket, you should get in touch with Next Chapter Smiles LLC right away. You may have developed a dry socket or an infection.
For any other questions or if you need to schedule an appointment with us, you can also contact us online.
