How Do I Know My Tooth Extraction Is Healing Properly?

If you have an infected, damaged, or diseased tooth, your dentist will likely recommend tooth extraction to preserve your oral health. However, you might not welcome the suggestion of wondering how to realize your tooth extraction is healing properly in your anxiety to close the gap between your teeth as soon as possible.

The dentist cares about every patient and provides all information about your recovery after tooth extraction. Dentists are aware complications can occur after tooth removal and ensure they provide sufficient instructions to care for the extraction site.

This article explains what you can expect during your recovery and how long the extraction site requires to heal. We also provide information on whether the tooth extraction site has healed correctly.

Signs of Proper Healing After Tooth Extraction

When healing after tooth extraction, you must carefully monitor the extraction site to ensure it appears healthy. In reality, you will experience different stages of recovery after tooth removal. However, keeping these tips in mind will make you realize your gums are healing correctly.

During the first 24 hours, expect a blood clot to occur naturally in the extraction site. You can expect discomfort during the initial period besides minor bleeding and swelling, which is normal.

On the day after tooth removal, you must avoid dislodging the blood clot from the extraction site. It would help if you remained cautious because it can cause a painful condition called a dry socket. Avoid using straws for drinking liquids and exercise caution when brushing around the extraction site.

Your gums begin healing and close the removal site after about three days of tooth removal. Finally, after around seven to ten days of tooth removal, the vacant gap left by the extracted tooth should be almost closed, and your gums no longer appear tender or swollen.

Recovery after tooth extraction requires approximately 1 to 2 weeks for the extraction site to heal completely. However, if you notice fever, intense pain in the jaw and gums, numbness in the mouth, swelling that doesn’t subside, excessive bleeding and a foul taste in your mouth, and evidence of pus in the open socket, call the dentist in 48864 for assistance as soon as possible.

Tips To Speed Up Healing Time

Every patient recovers differently from the tooth removal procedure. However, dentists recommend tips to speed your recovery, as mentioned below.

• You must follow the after-care instructions from the dentist carefully.
• The dentist recommends painkillers to minimize discomfort. You must take the medications as suggested without skipping doses.
• Do not remove the gauze pad from the extraction site for at least three to four hours after tooth removal.
• Use ice packs on the cheeks at intervals of 15 minutes and not longer because they can cause tissue damage.
• After 24 hours, rinse your mouth with salt water several times during the day.

Things To Avoid After Tooth Extraction

After tooth extraction, the dentist recommends you refrain from indulging in certain activities that might damage the extraction site to cause complications. There are:

• During the initial 24 hours, you must refrain from indulging in strenuous activities like exercising or trying to lift heavy objects for fear of dislodging the blood clot.
• Having crunchy, hard, spicy, and hot foods will be challenging. Therefore while eating or drinking anything, you must ensure the foods or beverages are at room temperature and avoid the other varieties altogether until you have recovered. You must exist on a diet of soft foods during your recovery.
• It would help if you avoided smoking after tooth extraction because the chemicals in tobacco can hinder your recovery.
• Avoiding alcohol is recommended by the dentist 24 hours before your procedure and at least 48 hours after. You must adhere to the instructions stringently because alcohol has a similar effect to tobacco.

Dentists recommend tooth extractions to eliminate an infected or damaged tooth from your mouth. Tooth extractions, although unpleasant, are essential to protect your dental and overall health. The instructions provided by the dentist for your after-care are also crucial to put you back on track without complications as soon as possible. Therefore you must follow all instructions provided by the dentist to recover quickly.

If you must have a tooth or two extracted, Okemos Smile Center performs these procedures using non-invasive techniques. Kindly contact this practice for tooth removal and comprehensive instructions on recovering quickly.