dry socket Archives - Champion Dental

How Long Does It Take To Get Back To Normal After Tooth Extraction?

Tooth extraction can be a daunting and awful task for many individuals. For some, it is just like removing a cherry from the top of the cake. For some patients, it can be an agonizing moment. The recovery also depends upon the type of extraction done.

After analyzing the condition & chances of infection getting spread (if any), Dentists provide OTC medications. Once it is treated with it, again, the dentist will check and suggest precautions. Patients also sometimes ask to get teeth removal for permanent relief.

So, in this way, a tooth removal happens. Many dentists suggest an emergency tooth extraction to stop the widespread infection or problem with other teeth. It can be an excruciating or less painful process depending on the severity of the treatment.

How Does Recovery Happen? What Is the Estimated Time?

People heal at different rates, so how fast one person heals may differ from what you experience. Recovery will also be based on the type of wound. Some teeth extractions are simple, taking very little time because the teeth are showing above the gum line.

Other wisdom teeth will require more complex surgery, such as an impacted tooth, which is completely encased in bone. Naturally, when this type of surgery is necessary, healing time is going to be considerably longer.

Teeth Extraction Recovery Time

With many tooth extraction processes, the pain from the extraction will last for two or three days. The anesthesia you are given for the surgery will wear off in about four hours. You will be given a prescription for pain medicine from the oral surgeon. After a couple of days, all you will need is over-the-counter medications.

Your gums (if affected) will heal within two weeks. They usually heal faster than most other tissues. If the surgery involves removing any bone, it could take three months or more for your jawbone to heal completely.

When you get home from the surgery, you should plan on resting for the remainder of the day and not overexert yourself. This can cause problems that are both painful and will slow the healing process. You may be able to go to work the next day, but avoid strenuous activities for about a week.

What Is A Dry Socket? When Does It Happen?

Although it is relatively rare, you might develop what is called a Dry Socket (if the newly formed clot is dislodged). If this happens, it exposes the bone under the tooth and the nerve. This can make it sensitive to anything that touches it – even cold air. It can be excruciating. If the clot is dislodged, you will need to go back to the dentist to apply a medicated dressing on it and for pain medication. A dry socket can take up to a month to heal, but it may heal within a week.

To prevent dry sockets, you will need to eat liquid or soft foods that are not hot for a couple of days. You also need to avoid acidic foods which would dissolve the clot. Foods with seeds or that are hard (chips and other snack foods) may get into the socket and cause an infection.

Control Swelling

You will probably have some swelling, and it will peak between 48 to 72 hours later, and then it will start to subside. You can apply an ice pack on your face or cheek where it is swelling. To prevent damage to your skin, alternate the ice pack between 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.

Why Do Teeth Need to Be Removed?

Many people do not ever need their teeth removed. For some people, though, emergency tooth extraction becomes necessary for several reasons, which may include:

They are hard to keep clean – It is challenging to keep them clean with a toothbrush and almost impossible to floss adequately.
They can develop cavities – If they are visible above the gum line, cavities may develop.
They can get gum disease – If food gets trapped under the gums, bacteria can enter around the tooth and cause gum disease.
They can become infected – An abscess could develop in the tooth.
They can damage neighboring teeth – Because wisdom teeth often come in crooked or even sideways, they can damage and crowd other teeth.
They can develop a cyst – A cyst can develop near the tooth, destroying the tooth roots of other teeth and the bone.

What Is The Suitable Time to Remove Teeth?

As you get older, the roots of your teeth grow longer. A nerve runs under your teeth (lingual nerve), and when you get 35, the roots of your teeth run close to that nerve. This makes it more complicated for an oral surgeon to perform the surgery safely because there is a greater risk of damaging or even severing the nerve. The best time to have teeth examined and removed if needed is before you are 25 to 30s.

If you need to have an emergency tooth removal, you should set aside a couple of days for recovery time – just in case. While most people stay home the day of the surgery and the day after, a more complex tooth extraction will likely require more time to recover. When you want a specialist for your teeth surgery, Champion Dental clinic dentists can provide the services you need in their Farmers Branch Office , DFW, Texas. Nearly all dental health insurance plans are accepted.

Get Relief from Dry Socket Pain

After a wisdom tooth is pulled, a patient may experience what is called a dry socket. This can be rather painful, but it may not even begin to hurt until two to four days after the tooth has been removed. When you have a dry socket, you will likely need to go back to the dentist for dry socket treatment.

The Cause of Dry Socket Pain

When a wisdom tooth is extracted, it leaves a gap in the gums and the jawbone is exposed. Normally, the space left by the tooth will be filled in with a blood clot, which is part of the normal healing process.

Various situations can cause the blood clot to break loose. When it does, it interrupts the healing process and delays it. The nerves in your jaw bone become exposed, and this causes the pain. Things like cold air, cold water, food, salt, etc., can cause considerable pain.

It is also possible that an infection can get into the jawbone, causing the pain. If it does, it may necessitate taking oral antibiotics, or possibly getting them intravenously.

Why Dry Socket Healing May Be Delayed

When the clot forms, it helps stop the flow of blood and also stimulates the area to heal the bone. The formation of the blood clot in the tooth socket can be delayed or interrupted by several things. When it is delayed, the patient may feel considerable pain for several weeks, but dry socket treatment can greatly reduce that time.

Risk Factors

Several risk factors will lead to the greater likelihood of getting a dry socket. Only about two percent of people will develop one. These risk factors include:

Smoking – The many chemicals in the smoke or liquid can slow healing and actually contaminate the open wound. The nicotine reduces the flow of blood in your mouth.
Bacteria – Some of the bacteria in your mouth can stop or hinder the formation of a blood clot – particularly periodontal disease. It may also help to break down the clot.
Sucking through a straw – or inhaling on a cigarette can cause the clot to break loose, as well as spitting, or rinsing your mouth aggressively.
Hormones – Women are at a greater risk of dry socket due to menstrual cycles, birth control pills, estrogen replacement therapy, etc.
Not following instructions – After an extraction, a dentist will often provide some instructions about what you should and should not do. Failure to follow this advice may lead to a dry socket formation.

Signs of Dry Socket

If you get a dry socket after a tooth extraction, there are several things to look for that will indicate you need to contact the dentist for some dry socket relief. The symptoms include:

Severe pain where the tooth was extracted within three days
Partial or complete loss of a blood clot in the socket
Bone will be visible in the socket
Pain may also be felt in your neck, ear, temple or eye
Bad breath and unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Dry Socket Remedies

Going back to the dentist for dry socket remedies will most likely result in several options or a combination of them. The treatment may include:

Removing debris in the socket by flushing it out.
Applying medicated dressings – the dentist may use a medicated gel along with medicated dressings. For severe pain, the dentist will determine if you will need multiple dressing changes.
Prescription pain medication – it is unlikely that over-the-counter medications will be of much help. The dentist will likely prescribe some more powerful medications to provide pain relief.
Prescription for antibiotics – to prevent infection in the bone.
Guidelines for home care – may include rinsing with salt water each day and using a special mouthwash.

After going to the dentist, you should notice some dry socket pain relief and the soon disappearance of any symptoms. Additional dressing changes may be needed to be obtained from the dentist.

Dry Socket Prevention

You can take several steps before and after the dental extraction that will help to reduce the possibility of getting a dry socket.

Before the Surgery

Stop smoking or using any tobacco products.
Check with the dentist about any medications or supplements you are currently taking to see if they will interfere with the formation of blood clots.
Women on birth control pills need to schedule the surgery when you are getting the lowest dose of estrogen – during your period.

After the Surgery

The following things should be avoided for at least three days after an extraction. They include:

Avoid smoking and using tobacco
Do not drink through a straw
Do not rinse your mouth more than prescribed.
Avoid exercise.

If you need treatment for a dry socket and you live in and around Farmers Branch, Fortworth, Texas, you can get dry socket pain relief from Champion Dental Board-certified dental specialists. You can set up an appointment or get more information by calling our office at (214) 747-0763.

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