How Long Does Tooth Extraction Healing and Recovery Take?

Although we all want our teeth to last for a lifetime, certain factors may lead to an extraction. It worth noting that we strive to preserve your natural teeth, and thus only remove the teeth only when it is necessary.

Certain dental conditions may force our endodontist in Satsuma, AL to extract your teeth such as:

• Dental overcrowding
• Teeth infection
• Impacted wisdom teeth
• Advanced periodontal disease

Depending on the condition of your teeth, the dentist can perform either simple or surgical teeth extractions. The type of extraction done will also dictate the healing time. However, on average it can take up to a week to resume normal activities. But, this is also determined by your aftercare practices. Here are a few tips to help you manage pain, prevent complications, and hasten the healing process.

1. Watch Your Diet

After the teeth are removed, it is important to protect your gums and prevent pain. Your diet should be comprised of soft foods such as soup, smoothies, yogurt, and scrambled eggs. You can eat soft foods for 48 hours after the teeth are removed and gradually re-introduce the other foods.

While you are at it, avoid spiced foods because they can irritate the gums and cause pain as well as slow down the healing process. Sugar is also harmful as it supports the growth of bacteria in the mouth.

When choosing your foods, make sure you take immune-boosting foods to support the gum and soft tissue healing.

2. Protect The Gums to Prevent Dry Socket

When the teeth are removed, the tooth socket is exposed. However, a blood clot usually forms to protect the socket and facilitate healing. While the socket is meant to stay put until the healing process is done, certain factors can cause it to break, eventually exposing the socket. This will lead to a dry socket which is painful, and slows down the healing and causes bad breath too.

You can protect the socket by not using a straw to take beverages in the first 24 hours after the teeth are removed. Also, stop smoking before the procedure and avoid the habit after the teeth are removed.

Talk to our dentist if you are taking any medications or supplements that may interfere with blood clotting.

If a dry socket occurs, the dentist may use medicated dressings or flush out the socket to remove any debris that may cause an infection.

3. Stop smoking

The chemicals in the tobacco may not only cause slow healing, but they may also contaminate the surgical area. Smoking also causes dry socket and gum inflammation that can trigger a gum infection.

Stop smoking a few days before your tooth extraction procedure and avoid it 24 hours after your teeth are removed. Remember, smoking and interfere with the blood clotting process.

4. Reduce Swelling with Ice

Use ice compression to stop or reduce swelling. After the teeth are removed, your gums may swell because of fluid accumulation, by applying ice, you can slow or prevent this process. Our dentist near you, may advise you to take ice cream immediately after the procedure to constrict the blood vessels and reduce swelling.

5. Take Care of Your Teeth and Gums

It is imperative to maintain proper dental practices after the teeth are extracted to prevent an infection. Therefore, continue to brush your teeth, but avoid the surgical area. Also:

• Rinse your mouth with warm, saltwater after 24 hours of the extraction for every one to two hours to clean the mouth and stop bacterial growth.
• Rest in the first 24 hours and do not do any strenuous work
• Take the medication as prescribed by the dentist to stop the pain and prevent an infection from developing.

At times you may experience nausea and vomiting, chills, and redness of the gums. Visit Satsuma Family Dental if these symptoms persist or if you have shortness of breath, chest pain, or if the swelling and bleeding persist after 24 hours of the procedure.

If your dentist has recommended tooth extraction in Satsuma, AL, and if you are planning to get it done, call us now to book an appointment with our dentist near you. We are also welcoming patients residing in Woodland Avenue, Pennsylvania, Twin Branch Drive, Private Street, Catherine Drive, Higgins Dr, Williams Heights, and surrounding communities.