Suppose you’ve recently had tooth extraction treatment, or you’re experiencing a severe toothache, which may require extraction treatment. In that case, this is likely to be because the affected tooth is severely decayed beyond repair, or you have a molar that’s “impacted”.
Having the tooth pulled out for these reasons is sometimes necessary, leaving a gap in your tooth set. If you’ve recently had tooth extraction treatment, or you need it, you’re probably wondering how long it takes for the extraction site to heal post-treatment and the factors that can speed up or slow down healing.
How Long Does It Take For A Tooth Extraction Site To Heal?
The steps you perform in your aftercare routine after tooth extraction treatment will say a lot about how fast or slow you’ll from it. The time it takes for the affected area to heal from tooth extraction completely depends on several factors.
- The Location of the Tooth – If the dentist struggles to get to the affected tooth to extract it, a surgical extraction would be required, and this can be more complex than a simple extraction.
- Healing Abilities – The activity you perform as part of your aftercare routine will play a big role in the speed of healing. The dentist will recommend tips to help you recover as quickly as you can. How you carry those out will determine healing time.
- Mouth Cleanliness – When recovering from tooth extraction treatment, the affected area must remain clean from debris at all times. Debris interacting with the blood clot can lead to infection.
- Swelling – The trauma caused by the extraction of a tooth can lead to some swelling. Applying a cold compress or taking anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen may also help reduce swelling.
The Timeline For Tooth Extraction Healing
Below is a typical stage breakdown of what to expect for the first 5 to 10 days leading up to the full healing of the area.
The First 24 Hours
Within the first 24 hours, a blood clot will begin to form in the area where the tooth was extracted. You’re likely to feel some completely normal discomfort. Minor bleeding may also occur initially, but this is expected to stop. You’re recommended to rest, but you may perform a light activity that doesn’t require strong movement of the mouth, such as physical activity.
Day 1 and Day 2
The first two days post-treatment can cause complications if you’re not careful. The blood clot will continue to form and it is important that the healing is not disturbed. Consider eating softer foods on one side of the mouth, and drink water in small increments, but ensure the blood clot area isn’t disturbed.
Day 3
The tooth socket (where the blood clot forms) will likely heal on or after day 3. The swelling should have been reduced, but soreness may persist. The pain threshold should be low at this stage as well. You’re well on your way to full healing.
After 7 Days
You should expect the blood clot to form after seven days, and the stitches will dissolve themselves. Any discomfort you experience at this stage requires a trip to the dentist, as this indicates a problem building. However, this will only be a rare occurrence.
After 14 Days
The tooth socket should have fully healed, but it is still recommended that you proceed with caution when eating near the extracted site. Avoid brushing around this area to avoid any infection. You must know the Do’s and Don’ts after tooth extraction to get a quicker healing.
