Many adults have experienced a tooth extraction of one of their permanent teeth. They may have to remove the tooth because of gum disease. Maybe they have a tooth infection or decay and it has to be removed. If they experienced physical trauma, the tooth may have to be extracted. Crowded teeth may be another reason for a tooth extraction.
Regardless of the reason, you may be wondering how long will it take to heal from a tooth extraction. There are some variables that make it impossible to give an exact time. We will go over some of those variables.
Tooth Extraction
When it is time to extract your tooth, your dentist will give you some local anesthetic. This will make the area numb so you don’t experience pain. You will be conscious during the procedure. If your child is the one who is having the tooth extraction, they will be given a general anesthetic. So, they will be asleep during the procedure.
The dentist will use an elevator, a tool used to loosen the tooth by rocking it back and forth. Then, the dentist will remove the tooth with forceps. If the extraction involves removing molars or the tooth is just sitting below the gum line, the dentist may have to remove the tooth surgically.
In order to surgically remove the tooth, the oral surgeon cuts into the gum and bone tissue to get to the tooth. Then, the surgeon will rock the tooth back and forth with forceps until it dislodges. If the surgery is so complex that you have to break off pieces of the tooth, you will be put under general anesthetia.
After Surgery
A blood clot will form where the tooth was removed. The surgeon will use a gauze pad to stop the blood. If that doesn’t work, you may have to get stitches.
Time to Heal
The type of tooth removal you experience as well as the location of that tooth determines what kind of aftercare you need. All that being said, for most people can take between 7 and 10 days. You want to make sure the bloodclot stays in the tooth socket. If it gets dislodged, you can experience dry socket which is very painful.
Ways to Speed Up the Healing Process
When you take painkillers as they are prescribed, you can help speed up the healing process. Leaving the gauze pad in its current location three to four hours after the extraction can also help speed up the process. Putting an ice bag on the affected area every 10 minutes as soon as you have done the extraction can also help you to heal faster. You don’t want to keep the ice bag on for too long as it may cause tissue damage.
In order to heal quickly, you need to give your body time to rest. You should rest for 24 hours, and you should take it easy for the next few days. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or using a straw for the next 24 hours after the extraction so as not to dislodge the blood clot.
Keeping the bloodclot in place can help with healing. You can rinse your mouth with a salt solution that is composed of 8 ounces of water and one teaspoon of salt once the 24 hours are up. Smoking can actually slow down the healing process. Sleeping with your head propped up can also help with healing. Continue practicing oral hygiene to avoid infection. Just be sure to avoid the site of the extraction.
Foods to Eat After the Extraction
While you are healing, it is important to eat soft food. Some popular choices are pudding, yogurt, applesauce, and soup. You can also enjoy smoothies during this time. However, you have to use a spoon. Once you have healed, you can start eating more solid food. You should follow the soft food diet for one week once you have had the extraction.
Ways to Manage Pain
You may feel some soreness or pain after the procedure. You may also experience some swelling in your face. Your doctor can prescribe some painkillers to help you manage the pain. You can also pick up some over-the-counter medication from your local pharmacy.
If you are still experiencing discomfort after three days, contact the dentist. If the pain becomes worse after several days, call the dentist immediately. It may be an infection.
Eating Regular Food Again
Two weeks after the surgery, you should be able to eat your regular diet. Eventually, new bone and gum tissue will cover the extraction site. A missing tooth may cause your teeth to shift. This can affect your bite. The dentist can prevent the shifting of teeth by an implant or denture.
Consultation
At West Hollywood Holistic and Cosmetic Dental Care, we can help extract your tooth. Contact us for a consultation. West Holywood top rated dentist can extract your tooth for you. We can even help you get your confidence back should you want to replace the extracted tooth with a dental bridge.
