What to expect after a tooth extraction
Hello there! If you've recently had a tooth extracted, you're probably wondering what comes next. First, take a deep breath; you've completed the procedure, and the hard part is over. It's all about properly caring for the extraction site to ensure a smooth and speedy recovery.
In this blog post, we'll walk you through the immediate aftercare, what to expect during the healing process, potential complications, and options for filling that new gap in your smile.
Immediate Aftercare and Post-Op Instructions
Straight after having your tooth out, go home, put your feet up and relax! It’s all over. Follow the instructions below to make sure you heal well after the extraction.
Take some painkillers - the area may ache once the anaesthetic has worn off, so take over-the-counter painkillers before it does (whatever you typically take for a headache). It’s normal for some pain to last 3-4 days.
Wait for the feeling in the area to come back before eating. You don’t want to bite your lip or cheeks accidentally (ouch!).
Don’t rinse your mouth or spit for 24 hours - This is VERY important. Agitating the area can cause it to bleed and lead to a dry socket (explained below). Leave the site alone.
If you notice active bleeding, wrap some gauze or tissue into a ball and bite hard on it for 10 minutes or until it stops bleeding.
Avoid exercise for the rest of the day.
Avoid hot drinks like tea and coffee for the rest of the day.
Do not smoke for 48 hours - smoking increases the risk of dry socket, reduces blood flow and delays healing.
Clean the area with warm salt water rinses after the initial 24 hours. Do this three times a day for three days.
What it will feel like after having your tooth removed
You will be numb for 1-3 hours so you won’t be able to feel your lips, tongue and cheeks. The feeling will come back gradually
It will feel like your face is swollen but this is just the numbness, usually you will look ‘normal’ to other people
You may have some pain in the area once the numbness goes away
Your saliva will be stained red so don’t be alarmed. Many people think there is a lot of bleeding happening but it is just your saliva. To check for bleeding you want to look at the socket where the tooth was removed from and see if there is any oozing of blood from this area
The normal healing stages of tooth extraction
Clotting - Immediate
After the tooth is extracted, your body immediately starts working to form a blood clot in the socket. This clot is a protective layer over the empty socket's underlying bone and nerve endings. It's crucial for stopping the bleeding and beginning the healing process.
Gum Closure - First 6 weeks
Over the next few weeks, soft tissue (gum) grows over the socket. This is your body's way of naturally sealing off the area where the tooth used to be. During these weeks, you will still feel a hole where the tooth used to be until the gum has matured and sealed your tooth's socket.
Bone Remodeling - Up to 6 months
Once the socket has closed over with gum, there will still be a large hole in your jawbone where the roots of your teeth once sat. Over the next 6 months, new bone cells grow to fill the socket, which helps strengthen the area where the tooth was extracted.
You might still feel a small divot or indentation where the tooth used to be. This is normal and will gradually fill in as the bone remodels.
Possible Complications of a Tooth Extraction
Although most dental extractions are completed without problems, it is still important to know what can go wrong during the healing phase of your extraction.
Some pain, bleeding, oozing, swelling and bruising are to be expected after any extraction, so don’t worry. It can take a few days for the area to feel comfortable again.
Dry Socket
A dry socket, medically known as alveolar osteitis, is a painful condition that can occur after a tooth extraction, particularly wisdom teeth. It happens when the blood clot that normally forms in the socket to protect the exposed bone and nerves is dislodged or dissolves too early.
This leaves the underlying bone and nerve endings exposed to air, food, and fluids, causing intense pain in the socket and often radiating to the ear and jaw.
A dry socket can significantly delay the healing process and is often accompanied by bad breath and an unpleasant taste due to the accumulation of food and debris in the empty socket. It's crucial to seek immediate dental care if you suspect you have a dry socket, as it usually requires professional treatment to manage the pain and protect the area from infection.
Professional treatment involves cleaning the socket and packing it with a medication known as Alveogyl to protect the bone, relieve the area and allow a new blood clot to form. (it’s a very routine procedure and will often provide immediate relief).
Infections
Infections after tooth extraction are relatively rare but there is always a risk of developing an infection after any procedure. An infection might manifest as persistent, worsening pain several days after the procedure, often accompanied by swelling, redness, and pus discharge from the extraction site.
You may also experience a fever and a general feeling of being unwell. Such infections can occur when bacteria enter the empty tooth socket or when the socket isn't adequately cared for during the initial stages of healing.
If you suspect an infection, it's crucial to contact your dentist immediately for evaluation and treatment, which may include antibiotics and additional cleaning of the affected area. Ignoring or delaying treatment for an infection can lead to more severe complications, including spreading the infection to other parts of the body.
OAC (Oral Antral Communication)
Oral-antral communications (OACs) are a less common but important complication to be aware of, mainly when extracting upper back molars.
An OAC occurs when an unintended opening between the oral cavity (your mouth) and the maxillary sinus allows air, liquids, and bacteria to pass between the two spaces.
This can result in symptoms like a feeling of fluid moving from your mouth into your nose or even sinus infections. If you experience these symptoms after an extraction, it's crucial to consult your dentist immediately.
Diagnosis usually involves clinical evaluation and sometimes imaging studies.
Treatment may range from conservative management, like antibiotics and decongestants, to more invasive procedures like surgical closure of the communication.
Left untreated, OACs can lead to chronic sinus issues and an increased risk of infection.
Your dentist should be checking to make sure there is no communication after removing upper molar teeth and will have assessed the risk of this happening using X-rays even before your extraction.
Replacing the missing tooth, you have just extracted
If you’ve already had your tooth removed, you’ve most likely already discussed with your dentist your plan to replace the gap. Your main options include:
Leave the gap as it is - This can result in difficulties eating and chewing and unwanted teeth movement around the gap.
Braces or Aligners: To move the remaining teeth and fill the gap.
Bridges: A more permanent solution that involves creating a false tooth anchored to the teeth on the side of the gap.
Implants: A free-standing replacement for a missing tooth, usually the most natural feeling option to replace a gap. If you opt for an implant, it's best to do it ASAP to prevent further bone remodelling and the need for bone grafting.
And there you have it! A comprehensive guide to what happens after a tooth extraction. Remember, the key to a smooth recovery is carefully following your dentist's aftercare instructions. If you have any concerns or complications, don't hesitate to contact your dental healthcare provider or one of our online dentists.
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
