A tooth was pulled out, how long will it take for the gums to heal? How to heal gums after tooth extraction
What do you do after tooth extraction? In most cases, while still in the corridor of the clinic, the patient begins to examine the postoperative (and tooth extraction is a real operation) wound, and quite often its appearance instills a feeling of fear in the person. But the main questions arise after the anesthesia wears off, when the pain returns: is this normal, could the pain indicate the development of a complication, is the gum in a normal state after tooth extraction and how long can the bleeding last and is this normal? This article will provide materials that will help clarify the situation and answer frequently asked questions.
Preparing for the tooth extraction process
If the patient is interested in the process of tooth extraction even before the manipulation itself, then below is briefly presented information that will allow you to avoid most complications after the procedure:
You should not postpone this procedure until pain occurs. Pain syndrome indicates that an inflammatory process is developing in the tissues and if such a pathological process reaches the gums, it swells, loosens and its blood supply increases. Removing a tooth from such a gum will lead to prolonged bleeding, which will differ in intensity from normal. In addition, if the cause of pain is the formation of a cyst (a hollow formation with dense walls, the cavity of which is filled with pus) on the crown of the tooth, then during dental procedures the risk of infection of the jaw bone, gums or tooth socket increases.
If a woman is to undergo a tooth extraction procedure, It should not be planned during menstruation: at this time, bleeding will last longer, since the body’s strength in relation to blood clotting weakens.
It is better to schedule a visit to a dental surgeon for the first half of the day. In such cases, when removing wisdom teeth or other complex manipulations, you can resolve the issues that arise during the day, rather than looking for 24-hour dentistry.
Local anesthesia. If the dental surgeon’s patient is an adult and the procedure does not require general anesthesia, it is advisable to eat before performing the procedure. Thus, prevention of a decrease in blood glucose levels during the period surgical manipulation, also in a well-fed person, the blood clotting process occurs faster.
When planning general anesthesia , you need to see a dentist before the procedure itself; the doctor will conduct a general examination and schedule a consultation with an anesthesiologist. Such anesthesia, on the contrary, excludes the consumption of food and even drinking. The last meal should be taken 4-6 hours before surgery, since the administration of drugs can provoke vomiting, and the vomit, in turn, threatens to enter the respiratory tract.
You should tell your doctor if you have an allergy to medications and accepted in this moment medications. If you are planning to remove a tooth in a person with cardiac pathologies, which involve constant use of blood thinning medications, you should inform the dental surgeon about this, and also consult with your attending cardiologist regarding short-term withdrawal of data pharmaceuticals. In such cases, if you stop taking Cardiomagnyl, Warfarin and do not inject Fraxiparine and Clexane the day before dental surgery and avoid taking them for another 48 hours, you can avoid the development of bleeding in the postoperative period. If the patient did not have time to complete this action, it is necessary to inform the surgeon about the availability of such treatment. It is also necessary to tell your doctor all the specifics of your existing allergies.
Brief information about the extraction procedure
As mentioned above, tooth extraction is full operation. It involves the same steps as for other surgical interventions:
treatment of the surgical field;
anesthesia.
Before the intervention, a local anesthesia is used, namely, in the area of exit of the nerve that innervates the required tooth, a local anesthetic. Modern drugs with this effect are contained in special ampoules - carpules. In addition to the anesthetic itself, such carpules also contain a vasoconstrictor substance. This is necessary in order to reduce the amount of blood lost during the manipulation process.
In some cases, the dentist uses anesthetics local action, which do not contain similar vasoconstrictor drugs. They are added independently, and the doctor may further increase the dose of such drugs. It is also worth noting that when the drug is introduced into the area of inflammation with acidic pH reactions, part of the anesthetic is inactivated, as a result of which additional anesthesia may be required. Both points are very important in the postoperative period.
Direct removal.
After the gums become numb and anemized (narrowing of blood vessels), the dental surgeon proceeds to the process of direct tooth extraction. This requires loosening the ligament that holds the tooth and in some cases this must be done using a scalpel. The tools and time of manipulation are determined by the doctor and can be different, it all depends on the severity of the situation.
The operation is completed by treating the resulting wound.
If the gum edges are far apart, or in cases of traumatic extraction, a suture may be required to close the wound. If there is no such need, a gauze swab soaked in a special hemostatic solution is placed over the injury, which is pressed into the hole with two jaws. The essence of stopping bleeding lies not only in the hemostatic drug, but also in compressing the wound. Therefore, you should not rush to change the tampon when it is soaked in blood, but rather press it well to the gum with your jaws.
Postoperative period – anesthesia is still in effect
Usually the algorithm is as follows: the doctor removes the tooth, places a gauze swab and orders you to hold it for about 15-20 minutes, then spit it out. Later, in best case scenario, the wound is examined for bleeding, and after the doctor is convinced that the bleeding has stopped, the patient is sent home; in the worst case, the patient goes home, throwing away the tampon along the way.
Pain– in the first 3-4 hours after the manipulation, the anesthetic still continues to act, so the pain from extraction is either not felt at all or is barely felt. A kind of exudate with streaks of blood - ichor - is released from the hole. Its separation continues for 4-6 hours, and this is visible when spitting and opening the mouth. If a wisdom tooth was removed, then given its abundant blood supply and a significant area of trauma in the area of the operation, ichor may be released within 24 hours.
Hole after tooth extraction it looks like this: there is a clot of scarlet blood in it. This clot cannot be removed because it:
prevents vascular bleeding at the bottom and sides of the socket;
protects the hole from infection;
gives rise to soft tissue that will replace the lost tooth in the future.
Blood after removal it may be released in small quantities (normal) if:
a person suffers from liver pathologies;
takes blood thinners;
the operation was performed on inflamed tissue (the tissue is swollen and the vessels do not collapse well);
the tooth was pulled out traumatically.
Such bleeding should not be profuse and after 3-4 hours it transforms into separation from the ichor wound. If the blood stops and appears again after 1-2 hours, this indicates the onset of the second phase of the action of the vasoconstrictor drug, namely the dilation of blood vessels.
In all of the above cases, you need to perform the following actions:
calm down. It is necessary to know that bleeding from the socket of an extracted tooth was fatal only in one case, and then the deceased woman died not from the bleeding itself, but from blood entering the respiratory tract, when she herself was in a state of severe alcoholic intoxication. Her bleeding did not stop as a result of the presence of cirrhosis of the liver, which is known to interfere with the blood clotting process, and the patient had three teeth removed at once;
if the bleeding is quite severe, you need to return to the surgeon who performed the extraction. At night, you can go to the duty room or public clinic, but only if the blood is scarlet or dark in color and is released in a trickle. Otherwise, you must proceed to the following points;
make a tampon from sterile gauze, and install it yourself so that the edge of the tampon does not touch the blood clot in the hole, then clamp the tampon with your jaws for 20-30 minutes;
if bleeding develops due to the use of anticoagulants and the patient suffers from chronic pathologies blood or liver, or when excreted copious amount blood, you can use the “Hemostatic sponge”, which is sold in pharmacies. The sponge is also placed over the socket and pressed using the opposite jaw;
Additionally, you can take the drug Dicinon or Etamzilat, 1-2 tablets 3-4 times a day;
Hydrogen peroxide should not be used, since its components react with blood, as a result of which the clot in the socket is also partially fragmented, which can cause increased bleeding.
How many days after tooth extraction should bleeding stop completely? It takes 24 hours for the bleeding to stop completely. The presence of later bleeding indicates the presence of complications that must be excluded or confirmed during an unscheduled examination by a dentist.
swollen cheek can be observed during this period only if swelling was present before surgery. If there was no flux before the operation, then even if any complication develops, such as swelling of the cheek, it will appear within such a short time can not.
Temperature After the operation, an increase in body temperature of up to 38 degrees may be observed during the first 2 hours. This is how the body reacts to intervention. Most often, the temperature is within 37.5 0 C, and in the evening it rises to a maximum of 38 0 C.
How to rinse your mouth after tooth extraction? In the first couple of hours after the manipulation - nothing, so as not to disturb the integrity of the still loose blood clot in the tooth socket.
Postoperative period after the end of anesthesia
Pain– noticeable because the gums become sensitive and the pain in the socket begins to bother you (normally, the pain can persist for up to 6 days, but does not increase).
Hole looks the same as it did 2 hours ago, the blood clot remains.
Blood– after the end of the anesthesia, it may begin to be released more strongly, most often it is not blood, but ichor. This is due to the fact that there is an expansion of blood vessels that were previously narrowed by vasoconstrictor drugs and adrenaline. If you use the recommendations presented in the previous paragraph: tamponade with gauze or with a hemostatic sponge, you can take a couple of Etamzilate tablets, in most cases this will stop the condition.
How to rinse your mouth? Until the end of the first day after extraction, rinsing is contraindicated; you can use baths; to do this, take the solution into your mouth and tilt your head towards the extracted tooth, without making rinsing movements. Such baths are indicated only if there are inflammatory or purulent processes in the area before the intervention. oral cavity(suppuration of the gums, pulpitis, cysts). During the first day, only salt baths are used: for one glass of water, one tablespoon (tablespoon) of salt. Hold for about 1-3 minutes, repeat 2-3 times a day.
Temperature after removal, it normally lasts for one day, and should not exceed 38 degrees.
Cheek swelling, but if the bleeding did not increase, it did not appear headache, nausea, appetite has not decreased, during the first two days this is one of the normal options. In the future, if there is no increasing swelling over the next 2 days, there is also no need to panic. But if:
the cheek continues to swell;
swelling spreads to neighboring areas;
the pain becomes more pronounced;
nausea, weakness, fatigue appear;
the temperature rises,
this indicates the development of a complication. It is necessary to urgently consult a specialist.
Second or third day
Hole can scare many people. The fact is that gray and white stripes of tissue begin to form on top of the blood clot. Don't be scared - it's not pus. This is the appearance of fibrin, which helps the blood clot to thicken so that the soft tissue of a new gum can then grow in its place.
Pain after removal it is present and requires painkillers. When the healing process has a normal, uncomplicated course, the pain weakens every day, while characteristic feature is its character - aching, pulling, but not pulsating or shooting.
Why do many patients complain about the presence of unpleasant odor? A similar odor from the mouth may be present and this is normal. The accumulation of blood, which goes through its natural stages of looseness and then a dense blood clot, has an unpleasant sweetish odor. In addition, the patient is usually prohibited from brushing and rinsing his teeth for 3 days as a prescription, so there is an active accumulation of bacteria in the mouth, which increases the unpleasant odor. Don't worry about the smell, especially if general state satisfactory, there is no fever, and the pain gradually begins to subside.
We can talk about an uncomplicated course of the period after surgery if:
when you press on the gum, the exudate does not separate from the socket;
the pain is aching, dull, not shooting. It also does not increase during meals;
normal appetite;
there is no constant desire to lie down and no weakness;
no increase in temperature is observed even in the evening;
swelling of the cheek remains at the same level as yesterday and does not increase;
No blood is released after 2-3 days.
You need to see a dentist if:
saliva or food is detected in the hole;
pain increases when eating, even if its character is aching and weak;
when you touch the gum in the area of the hole, pain occurs;
the edges of the gums turn red.
How to rinse your mouth during this period?
decoction of calendula, eucalyptus, chamomile. Prepare according to the recipe presented in the instructions, take baths for 2-3 minutes three times a day;
furatsilin solution - in finished form or diluted independently (10 tablets per 1 liter of boiled water, or 2 tablets per glass of boiling water): perform 1-2 minute baths, the manipulation can be repeated up to 2-3 times a day;
soda-salt solution (a teaspoon of salt and soda per glass of water): bath for 2 minutes, just hold in your mouth, repeat 2-3 times a day;
Miramistin solution: baths for 1-3 minutes, 2-3 times a day;
aqueous solution of chlorhexidine (0.05%): keep in mouth for at least a minute. Rinse three times a day.
Third or fourth day
There is no blood or other discharge from the wound. The gums hurt slightly, there is no temperature, the swelling of the cheek subsides. A yellow-gray mass forms in the center of the hole; on the sides of this mass, areas of new gum mucosa appear, which are pink in color.
At this time, you can already rinse your mouth: decoctions, aqueous solutions, the solutions discussed above (herbal decoctions, miramistin, furatsilin, chlorhexidine) can also be used, but not actively.
Seventh-eighth days
Postoperative pain should completely resolve, as should swelling of the cheek. The hole looks like this: it is almost completely covered with reddish-pink tissue, in the center there is a small area of yellowish-gray color. Exudate does not separate from the wound. Inside the hole, the process of bone formation begins, at the location of the tooth root (this process is not yet visible).
If the postoperative period is uncomplicated, the patient’s condition corresponds to that before the operation. Separation of blood or ichor, increased body temperature, presence postoperative edema are a reason to visit the dentist.
14-18 knocks
If the tooth was completely removed, and there were no fragments left in the socket, the postoperative wound did not fester, then by 14-18 days the hole can no longer be called a hole, because it is completely covered with new pink epithelial tissue. In the area along the edges and inside the socket, socket cavities made of histiocytes and fibroblasts are still present; active development bone tissue.
By 30-45 days after surgery There are still noticeable defects on the gum, which indicate that a tooth was located in this place, since the process of replacing the former hole with the help of bone tissue has not yet been completely completed. The microscopic wound contains finely looped bone tissue with the presence of connective tissue in the spaces.
In 2-3 months The bone tissue is fully formed and fills all the space that was previously occupied by the tooth, but is still at the maturation stage: the intercellular space in the bone tissue decreases, the cells become flat, and the process of deposition of calcium salts actively occurs in the bone beams. By the 4th month, the gum has the same appearance as the other areas; above the location of the mouth of the socket, the shape of the gum becomes wavy or concave, the height of such gum is less in comparison with areas with teeth.
How long does it take for a wound to heal?? If no complications arose in the postoperative period, then 4 months are needed for complete healing. If the wound festered, took a long time to heal, and had to be cleaned with dental instruments, this process can drag on for up to six months.
Removing the gauze pad.
Can be done in 20-30 minutes. If the patient suffers from arterial hypertension, uses blood thinners, or suffers from a blood clotting disorder, it is better to hold the gauze firmly pressed against the gum for about 40-60 minutes.
Blood clot at the site of tooth extraction.
Removing this clot is prohibited. Its formation serves as a kind of protection, which was developed by nature itself and should not be violated. Even in cases where food gets on the clot, you should not try to get it out with a toothpick.
In order not to destroy the formed clot, during the first day:
don't blow your nose;
do not smoke: the clot can be pulled out by the negative pressure that is created in the mouth when inhaling smoke;
do not spit;
do not brush your teeth;
do not rinse your mouth, the maximum is a bath, when the solution is taken and held in the mouth near the hole, after which it is very carefully spat out;
follow the rules of nutrition (discussed below) and sleep.
Nutrition:
alcohol;
spicy food: it can provoke an increase in blood flow to the socket, which leads to increased swelling and increased pain;
hot food: also increases blood flow and leads to post-operative inflammation;
rough food: crackers, chips, nuts. Also, such products can lead to the development of inflammation of the socket;
in the first 2-3 hours after surgery you should not eat or drink;
on the first day you need to exclude:
in the next three days you should eat only soft food, you should avoid sweets, alcohol and not drink hot drinks.
In addition, in the first week it is necessary to avoid drinking drinks through a straw; you should not chew on the side where the clot is located. It is also necessary to exclude the use of toothpicks: all food residues after eating should be rinsed with herbal decoctions; on the first day, instead of rinsing, use baths.
Behavior rules.
You can wash your hair and take a shower. It is better to sleep on the first day after tooth extraction on a high pillow (or simply add an extra one). Excluded for a week:
hot bath;
bath/sauna.
going to the beach;
work in a hot shop;
physical exercise;
People who suffer from arterial hypertension or diseases of the blood clotting system need to mandatory take a course of medications according to a previously selected regimen. In 90% of cases, late swelling of the cheek and the appearance of bruises, bleeding from the socket appear in the presence of increased blood pressure. If anything worries you, it is better to call the surgeon who removed the tooth or go to an appointment than to search for answers on the Internet.
Oral hygiene measures.
During the first day, you should not rinse or brush your teeth.. Such activities can be started from the second day after tooth extraction, but contact with the socket must be avoided. If the dentist’s recommendations included antiseptic treatment wounds, then during the first 3 days such treatment involves performing baths (a solution is taken into the mouth and the head is tilted towards the defect, the head is held in this position for 1-3 minutes and the solution is carefully released without spitting). From the second day, baths should be done after every meal.
Also, from the second day you need to resume brushing your teeth.: twice a day, minimum quantity toothpaste or without it at all, without touching the hole. You cannot use an irrigator.
Picking the clot with your tongue, finger, or especially with a toothpick is prohibited. If deposits have accumulated in the area of the clot, it is better to consult a doctor.
How to rinse your mouth? These are solutions (preparation recipes are described above):
soda-salt;
aqueous solution of furatsilin;
miramistin;
chlorhexidine;
decoctions of chamomile, eucalyptus, sage.
Pain in the postoperative period.
Painkillers. During the first two days, pain will definitely be present, because the operation was performed. You can relieve pain with the help of drugs Ibuprofen, Ketanov, Diclofenac, Nise, since they have an additional anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, you should not endure it, it is better to take the pill prescribed by your doctor, but you should not exceed the permissible dose.
Cold– for additional pain relief, you can apply cold to the cheek. Foods that are in the freezer are not suitable for this. The maximum is a plastic container with ice cubes or water, wrapped in a towel, or even better, soaked in water cotton fabric. A similar compress is applied for 15-20 minutes.
Duration of pain after removal. In the absence of complications, pain can be felt up to 7 days from the moment of tooth extraction. It becomes less intense every day and becomes aching in nature, but it should not intensify when eating. Depending on the complexity of the operation, the level pain threshold The duration of pain after extraction will vary between patients and physician experience.
Cheek swelling.
The cheek always swells after tooth extraction. The reason for this is inflammation after injury. The swelling reaches its maximum volume by 2-3 days, with:
the cheek skin is not hot or red;
the pain does not get worse;
there is no increase in body temperature (the “behavior” of temperature is described below);
swelling does not extend to the neck, infraorbital area and chin.
What to do if your cheek is swollen after tooth extraction? If this state is not accompanied by the symptoms listed above, then you can apply a cold compress to your cheek for 15-20 minutes, similar procedure can be performed 3-4 times a day. If an increase in swelling is accompanied by an increase in body temperature or a general deterioration of the condition, it is necessary to consult a dentist, since this may be an allergic reaction to the drugs used during the operation, insufficient sanitation of the oral cavity and wounds after the operation, or early warming of the cheek in the postoperative period.
Temperature.
The temperature curve should behave like this:
after surgery (on the first day) it rises to a maximum of 38 0 C in the evening;
the next morning - no higher than 37.5 0 C;
on the second day in the evening - the norm.
Symptoms that differ from those described should be a reason to visit a doctor. It is prohibited to prescribe antibiotics on your own; this can only be done by a specialist.
The mouth is difficult to open.
After tooth extraction, the jaw may open poorly and hurt even normally. This happens when, during the process of tooth extraction, the dentist has to put pressure on the tissue or the patient has to open his mouth wide to provide maximum access to the operation site (usually this happens when extracting a wisdom tooth), which results in tissue swelling. If such a condition is not a complication of the operation, then similar condition proceeds without increasing swelling of the cheek, increasing pain in the jaw, or increasing temperature. On the contrary, the situation with excessive mouth opening goes away in about 2-4 days.
Bleeding.
Bleeding can normally be observed during the day. If the patient is concerned about its intensity, then the following measures should be taken:
press for 20-30 minutes with a swab of sterile gauze or ready-made hemostatic sponge to the wound. After a while, you can repeat the manipulation;
You can take 2 tablets of Dicinone/Etamsylate. The tablets can be taken 3 times a day;
You can use a cold compress from a towel soaked in cold water. Apply the compress to the cheek for 20 minutes, after 3 hours you can repeat the procedure.
If the discharge of ichor or bleeding continues for more than a day, it is imperative to visit a dentist. Most likely, such manifestations indicate the presence of an infectious complication.
Hematoma on the skin of the cheek.
This phenomenon is not a complication in the postoperative period. Bruising most often occurs in cases of traumatic tooth extraction, especially in people who suffer from arterial hypertension. A hematoma is the release of blood from the vessels into the tissue where post-traumatic swelling was previously located.
Other questions.
Can your health worsen after tooth extraction?? On the first day after surgery, stress can cause lack of appetite, headache, and weakness. In the future, such manifestations disappear.
How long should it take after tooth extraction to return to the usual rhythm of life?? Within a week, the pain disappears, swelling and bruising also disappear, the clot at the bottom of the hole begins to be covered with epithelial tissue.
Complications
After tooth extraction, various complications can develop. The vast majority of them are infections that require the simultaneous prescription of antibiotics or, in extreme cases, sanitation of the source of infection surgically.
Dry hole.
This name refers to a condition in which, under the influence of vasoconstrictor drugs that are present in the anesthetic, or in case of non-compliance with medical recommendations after surgery (for example, active rinsing or eating solid food), a blood clot does not form in the socket. Such a complication does not pose a threat to the patient’s life, but can cause the development of alveolitis - inflammation of the tooth socket, since the clot serves the function of protecting the gum tissue from infection and accelerating wound healing; accordingly, when it is absent, there is nothing to perform its function.
This condition appears long term healing postoperative wound, the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the mouth, long-term preservation pain syndrome. The patient himself can, by looking in the mirror, determine that there is no clot in the socket and the socket is not protected.
Having discovered such a condition, you should consult a doctor on the first day to correct the situation. Most likely, the dentist will perform a repeated, less painful intervention on the wound, which aims to form a new clot in the hole. If a dry socket is noticed later than the first days, then you need to consult a doctor directly during your appointment or by telephone, he will explain what measures (in most cases these are dental gels and rinses) need to be taken to prevent the development of alveolitis.
Alveolitis.
This name refers to a condition in which inflammation develops in the mucous membrane that lines the cavity in the jaw where the tooth was located before surgery. This condition is dangerous because it can cause suppuration in the socket and the transition of an infectious purulent inflammation on soft tissues and bone tissue of the jaw. Alveolitis in most cases develops after the removal of molars, especially for wisdom teeth located on lower jaw, which are surrounded by a large amount of soft tissue.
Causes of alveolitis:
decreased general immunity;
removal of a tooth on the root of which a suppurating cyst was attached;
unsatisfactory treatment of the tooth socket after its extraction;
violation of the integrity of the clot in the hole, most often, if desired, rinse your mouth intensively or clear the hole of food using toothpicks.
Symptoms of alveolitis development:
the pain that began to subside after the operation increases again;
unpleasant appears putrid smell from mouth;
pain radiates to both jaws, in some cases to the head area;
submandibular lymph nodes enlarge;
when you press on the gum in the area of the operation, pus or liquid begins to ooze from the hole;
after removing a tooth, the pan looks like this: the edges of the wound are reddish, the clot may have a black tint, the hole is covered with a dirty gray coating;
body temperature rises to 38 0 C and higher with a feeling of aching, chills;
a headache appears, you want to sleep, the person gets tired quickly;
it hurts to touch the gum.
At home you can help yourself:
rinse your mouth, but not intensively, often up to 20 times per knock, using antiseptic solutions (for example, miramistin, chlorhexidine), salt solution for rinsing;
you should not remove the clot from the hole even if there is an unpleasant odor coming from it;
you can take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Ibuprofen, Nise, Diclofenac;
contact your dentist. Only he is able to cure alveolitis by curettage of the wound, inserting a tampon with an antiseptic into the wound and selecting the most suitable antibiotic for the patient. This may be Colimycin, Neomycin, Lincomycin. The doctor can also refer the patient to physiotherapeutic procedures: helium-neon laser treatment, fluctuarization, microwave therapy, ultraviolet irradiation.
Complications of alveolitis can be:
abscesses - an accumulation of pus, limited to a capsule, in soft tissues;
osteomyelitis – inflammation of the bone tissue of the jaw;
phlegmon - spread purulent process, which is not limited to the capsule and provokes the melting of healthy soft tissues of the jaw;
periostitis - inflammation of the periosteum of the jaw.
Osteomyelitis.
Purulent inflammation of the jaw bone, which is the most common complication of alveolitis. May, in turn, be complicated by blood poisoning, so treatment this complication must be carried out in a hospital. Osteomyelitis manifests itself with the following symptoms:
loss of appetite;
increased fatigue;
headache;
increased body temperature (above 38 degrees);
swelling of the cheek develops in the projection of the extracted tooth;
touching the jaw bone causes pain, and the further the process spreads, the larger areas of the jaw are affected;
develops strong pain in the jaw, which is growing.
Treatment of this complication is carried out in the department maxillofacial surgery. The wound is drained, necrotic areas of bone are removed, and antiseptic drugs are injected into the wound. A course of systemic antibiotics is prescribed.
Nerve damage.
If the extracted tooth had a complex root system or was positioned incorrectly, the operation in such cases may damage the nerve that runs nearby. This complication has the following symptoms:
the presence of “running” goosebumps;
the area of nerve damage becomes insensitive;
numbness in the area of the cheeks, palate, tongue in the projection of tooth extraction.
Pathology is treated on an outpatient basis. Physiotherapy is used, a course of vitamin B and drugs that improve the conduction of impulses from nerve endings to muscles are also prescribed.
Sharp edges of the alveoli.
After tooth extraction on the second day, when the edges of the gums begin to move closer to each other above the socket, pain occurs in this area. It is possible to distinguish such pain from alveolitis during the examination: pus does not separate from the socket, the edges of the gums are not red, the socket is still closed with a clot. Treatment of this complication is surgical - using special tools The sharp edges of the hole are excised, the wound is treated and a biomaterial is applied on top, which compensates for the lack of bone.
Exposure of the alveolar zone.
If the postoperative course is within normal limits, however, while eating warm food or mechanical irritation pain occurs in the area of the socket; this may indicate that the area of bone is not covered with soft tissue.
This diagnosis can only be made by a dentist. Treatment of the pathology is surgical: the exposed area is removed, covering it on top with your own gum tissue, and sutures are applied.
Postoperative cyst.
The development of a cyst after tooth extraction is a fairly rare complication of the operation. This is a kind of cavity near the root of the tooth, which is filled with liquid, thus the body independently limits infected tissues from healthy ones. Such a cyst can increase in size and completely cover the tooth root, it can also spread to neighboring tissues, so this complication must be treated.
Such a cyst becomes noticeable after the development of periostitis, which is popularly called “flux.” In such cases, a person goes to dentistry, where the disease is diagnosed and treated surgically, excising the pathological formation.
Perforation of the floor of the maxillary sinus.
This complication is the result of the manipulation itself, when during the process of tooth extraction a pathological connection is formed between the maxillary sinus and the oral cavity. This complication is possible when molars are removed. Pathology can be diagnosed using x-rays, and the dentist can check for the presence of a message by asking the patient to exhale, then pinch his nose with his fingers and inhale. If there is a perforation, foamy (presence of air) blood will begin to appear from the hole.
Odontogenic phlegmon.
This name has purulent melting of soft tissues (spaces between fascia, subcutaneous tissue, skin), which develops as a complication of osteomyelitis of the jaw.
The disease manifests itself as painful and increasing swelling of the cheek in the area of the lower or upper jaw. The skin over the swelling is tense, very painful, and it is quite difficult to open the mouth. In addition, headaches, malaise occur, and body temperature rises. There is a decrease in appetite.
Treatment of this complication is carried out only by surgery. Therapy consists of opening the infiltrate and washing the damaged areas with antibiotics; systemic antibiotics are also prescribed.
Odontogenic periostitis.
This complication is a complication of osteomyelitis or alveolitis and is manifested by the spread of inflammation to the periosteum. Popularly, such a pathology should be called “flux.” A complication appears:
increased body temperature;
constant toothache;
swelling of the cheek on one side.
Abscesses of soft tissues of the jaw.
This disease on its early stages not particularly different from phlegmon. However, here the tissues melted by pus are limited to healthy ones by the capsule, while with phlegmon the inflammation continues to advance and affect more and more new areas of tissue.
The manifestation of odontogenic abscesses is pain in the entire jaw, weakness, increased body temperature to high levels, difficulty in opening the mouth, increased local temperature in the area of skin swelling, and the development of significant swelling of the cheek.
Treatment of the complication is carried out in a hospital and is surgical - the resulting abscess is opened and drained, washed with antiseptic solutions. In addition, systemic antibiotics are injected into a vein or muscle.
Antibiotics for tooth extraction
Cases of appointment.
When teeth are removed, antibiotics are not always prescribed; it all depends on each specific case. If, after tooth extraction, during a follow-up appointment the doctor finds signs of inflammation, then in most cases antibiotics are prescribed. There are also a number of factors that imply the prescription of antibiotics for complications of tooth extraction:
- if during the process of tooth extraction its socket was damaged, which resulted in the penetration of infection further into the tissue;
- if after tooth extraction the wound does not heal for a long time due to weakening of local immunity;
- if a blood clot does not form in the hole or it is insolvent. In such cases, antibiotics are prescribed to protect the socket from infection.
Requirements for drugs
After tooth extraction, you need to prescribe those antibiotics that meet a number of requirements:
low level of toxicity;
minimal number of side effects;
the drug must have the ability to quickly penetrate soft and bone tissues;
the drug must have the ability to accumulate in the blood in certain quantities and maintain the local effect for 8 hours.
What drugs should be prescribed.
It is quite difficult to give a definite answer to the question of which antibiotics should be prescribed after tooth extraction, because each patient’s body can react differently to them, so the doctor decides this question directly during the appointment. The only thing that can be done regarding the definition of antibiotics for tooth extraction is to indicate which of them are used most often. Modern dentistry most often uses Metronidazole and Lincomecitin. These drugs are often even prescribed in combination to ensure a better effect. Thus, Lincomecin should be taken two capsules with an interval of 6-7 hours, the course of therapy is up to 5 days. At the same time, Metronidazole acts as a maintenance drug and is taken one tablet three times a day, the course is 5 days.
Contraindications.
When prescribing antibiotics after tooth extraction, the doctor must be warned about the presence of characteristics of the body. So, the dentist should be informed about pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and heart. It is also worth providing all information regarding the use of other medications.
If the patient has a gastrointestinal pathology, the doctor should prescribe antibiotics in effervescent form. Such products dissolve much faster and do not cause severe irritation to the stomach and intestines. The main thing that needs to be understood once and for all is that only a doctor can prescribe any medications, and then only after a thorough examination.
Tooth extraction is very unpleasant procedure, but in modern conditions it is carried out painlessly. However, problems can begin after everything seems to be over - for example, if a hole does not heal after tooth extraction. What is the reason for this and what to do in such a situation?
What happens after tooth extraction with a socket, healing time
The healing process, if it proceeds normally, is quite long. His average duration– up to 4 months, although in some cases the hole heals faster. The following processes occur with her at this time:
|
Days after surgery |
Processes |
| 1 | The formation of a blood clot, which serves as a natural barrier to infection entering the hole. |
| 2 | The severity of pain decreases, in some cases it stops completely. |
| 3-4 | Granulation tissue appears - a sign that the healing process is proceeding correctly. |
| A week | Part of the clot is preserved only inside the socket, and the main part is replaced by connective granulation tissue. Bone tissue begins to appear inside, epithelium begins to appear outside. |
| 14-18 | The hole is completely filled with granulations, its sides and bottom are lined with bone tissue, and instead of a clot, it is covered with epithelium. |
| Month | Bone tissue formation continues. |
| 2-3 months | Bone tissue fills the hole completely. |
| 4 months | The bone tissue becomes mature and acquires a porous structure, and the height of the alveoli is absorbed to about a third of the root. |
Why may the hole not heal?
The hole may not heal either due to the fault of the dentist or the fault of the patient himself.
The processes described above are physiologically normal. But in some cases their duration is disrupted. This can happen as follows: reasons:
- The surgeon performed the operation poorly, as a result of which the normal course of healing was disrupted.
- Due to difficult removal, carious residues can get into the hole, which will lead to inflammation.
- The patient does not follow the recommendations. Most often, situations arise when, as a result of rinsing, which was not prescribed by a doctor, a blood clot is removed from the wound. This is highly likely to lead to infections from the oral cavity.
- Alveolar bleeding begins. Some bleeding after surgery is considered normal, but copious discharge blood is a reason to see a doctor. It is often a consequence of arterial hypertension, so medications that normalize blood pressure may be prescribed.
- The wound is constantly injured - for example, by solid food.
- Some common diseases. Among them, for example, diabetes mellitus, clotting disorders.
All these situations can lead to an inflammatory process that develops due to infection in the wound. It is important to remember that a fresh wound in the mouth is an extremely vulnerable place. Conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, living in the oral cavity, entering it, turn into pathogenic, that is, they become the cause of the development of an inflammatory process with purulent phenomena.
Expert opinion. Dentist Oreshnikov O.Yu.: “A particular danger is the situation when the hole of the wisdom tooth located on the lower jaw does not heal. The fact is that it is surrounded by soft tissue with numerous blood vessels, so infection can lead to its spread outside the oral cavity, to the development of phlegmon and abscess.”
Read also:
What to do if healing is delayed?
Do not remove the tampon for 20 minutes after surgery.
To prevent the development of alveolitis and accelerate wound healing, the following measures can be taken:
- Immediately after surgery, hold the gauze pad on the wound for at least 20 minutes, while applying pressure to its edges.
- Provide conditions for the formation of a clot; for this purpose, you should not eat or drink for three hours.
- For the first days after removal, refrain from hot food, drinking alcohol, smoking, spicy foods and solid foods.
- You should not overheat, including in a sauna or bathhouse.
- You can't overexert yourself physically.
- For 2-3 days, try not to chew on the affected side or sleep on it.
In addition, it is very important to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding rinsing. Often patients start from the first day, which leads to the prolapse of the clot. Therefore, doctors strongly recommend not to rinse the hole in the first 2-3 days, but to take baths with antiseptic and soothing agents. means:
- chlorhexidine;
- furatsilin solution;
- infusions of chamomile and sage.
Baths are done at least 6 times a day, the solution should be kept on the operated side for at least 2 minutes. In addition, the doctor may prescribe products in the form of pastes and gels - Solcoseryl or Metrogyl-Denta. After complex removal, it is most often indicated antibacterial therapy, in some cases glucocorticoids and hemostatics are prescribed. For the surgeon to select correct therapy, it is important to inform him about your health status before surgery, and then fully follow his recommendations.
Despite the introduction of new methods of diagnosis and treatment of dental pathology, based on effective innovative technologies, in some cases, teeth still have to be removed. The procedure belongs to the field of surgical dentistry and is a minor surgical intervention. The extraction itself is performed under anesthesia and is not accompanied by pain. The pain appears later, when the effect of the anesthetic has worn off, and it is too early to talk about healing.
How long does it take for gums to heal after tooth extraction? What actions help speed up regeneration and minimize the risk of complications? What are the symptoms recovery period be considered a variant of the norm, and what signs unmistakably indicate a complication? These and other issues are covered in this publication.
Tooth extraction: specifics of the procedure
Recovery after surgery cannot be considered in isolation from the context, that is, without taking into account the specifics of the surgical intervention and indications for extraction. A dental surgeon can remove a tooth using simple or complex extraction. In the first case, he “pulls out” a defective or diseased element of the dentition without prior preparation jaw bone. Complex removal involves preliminary preparation bone grafting, which involves drilling or crushing a small area of bone surrounding the roots.
Obviously, the wound heals faster after tooth extraction using a simple method. Tissues are damaged to a lesser extent. The absence of additional manipulations that imply a violation of the integrity of the bone promotes rapid healing. When following the dentist’s recommendations, the patient “forgets” about the operation after about a week, although some precautions must be observed from one to several months, depending on the specifics of the clinical case.
Complex extraction lengthens the rehabilitation period. The gum itself heals quickly after tooth extraction (in one to two weeks), but the restoration of bone tissue will take longer - up to three months. During this time period, the risk of developing negative consequences in the form of inflammatory and infectious processes in bone structures. Most frequent complications extractions are periostitis (flux) and alveolitis.
How recovery rates depend on indications for extraction
It is impossible to give a universal answer to the question of how long it takes for gums to heal after tooth extraction. The rate of regeneration directly depends on the characteristics of the clinical case, that is, on the indications for extraction. In surgical dentistry, there are several direct indications for the removal of defective or diseased elements:
- Chronic periodontal disease with pathological mobility teeth 3 degrees.
- Acute purulent periodontitis or exacerbation chronic periodontitis with localization of the pathological focus at the root apex.
- Radicular cyst in the apical part of the root.
- Severe tooth destruction by caries, which makes prosthetics or restoration using a core insert impossible.
- Longitudinal root fracture.
- Retention or dystopia of an element of the dental system.
- Supernumerary teeth.
- Odontogenic inflammatory process in adjacent structures (neuritis trigeminal nerve, osteomyelitis, sinusitis).
Each patient knows what the reason for removal is in his particular case, but does not always understand how this affects the rate of tissue healing. Let's explain this with a few examples.
In an acute purulent-inflammatory process, there is already a focus of infection in the tissues surrounding the surgical wound. In addition, the tissues are inflamed even before surgery. A similar situation is observed with odontogenic osteomyelitis, inflamed radicular cyst, odontogenic sinusitis. Obviously, the presence of an infectious-inflammatory process does not contribute to healing after surgery.
The gums will take longer to heal after tooth extraction due to infection. Risk infectious complications significantly increases, as does the risk of bleeding from a postoperative wound. A course of antibiotics is prescribed not so much to prevent infection, but to suppress the pathogenic microflora initially present in the wound.
We see a different situation when removing impacted or dystopic teeth. Retention is incomplete teething, in which the crown does not rise above the gum at all, or only a small part of it rises. Dystopia is abnormal tooth growth, for example, at an abnormal angle, in the direction of an adjacent element, outside the alveolar arch. Such problems are most typical for wisdom teeth.
Impacted and dystopic teeth can generally be absolutely healthy. They don't have carious cavities, there is no infection in the surrounding tissues. Initially, the situation is more favorable, because pathogenic microflora can penetrate into the wound only from the oral cavity. This can be counteracted by following your dentist's recommendations. On the other hand, the extensive root system of figure eights with curved roots often forces the dentist to use complex extractions, which causes the tissue to take longer to recover.
Despite the ambiguity of the situation, the gums heal faster after wisdom tooth removal. Risk undesirable consequences lower than after extraction of elements affected by infection. The above is also true for supernumerary teeth. They are always deleted; there are no exceptions to this rule.
The dental surgeon will describe in detail the recovery plan immediately after the operation or even before removal. He will tell you what means to rinse the mouth, what medications to take to reduce swelling and inflammation of the gums, what antibiotics will help prevent infectious complications.
It is advisable to learn about the basic principles of rehabilitation in advance. The following recommendations promote rapid healing of the socket after tooth extraction, regardless of the characteristics of the surgical intervention:
- Do not eat for at least three hours. It is advisable to increase this time to 4-5 hours.
- No smoking. Heavy smokers need to take a break for at least three to four hours.
- You should not touch the postoperative wound with your hands or tongue.
- It is advisable not to open your mouth too wide.
- While eating, you need to chew your food as quickly as possible. healthy side"to minimize the penetration of particles into the postoperative wound.
- You can't play sports. The body needs to ensure maximum peace. It is advisable to spend several days at home.
- You need to brush your teeth very carefully so as not to injure your gums.
Now let's talk about medication support rehabilitation period. The operation is performed under local anesthesia, the effect of which is limited in time. After 2-3 hours the patient begins to feel pain. The pain is tolerable, but still quite pronounced. To reduce pain, your doctor will usually prescribe strong non-narcotic painkillers, which are available by prescription. Injection forms of release (shots) are more often prescribed because they are more effective. Antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce swelling.
The dentist will also prescribe mouth rinses. As a rule, the doctor prescribes antiseptics, which are available without a prescription. For example, dimexide or chlorhexidine. You need to rinse 5-6 times a day. The goal is to suppress pathogenic and opportunistic microflora and prevent infectious complications. Also, gauze swabs soaked in antiseptic should be applied to the wound at the site of the extracted tooth.
It is important to make one note here. In the first days, you need to rinse your mouth very carefully so as not to remove the blood clot from bone socket. The clot is important for speedy healing - the gums and socket after tooth extraction, with a properly formed clot, heal faster. The doctor monitors the formation of a blood clot after extraction, and then sutures the wound. If careless oral care is taken, the patient runs the risk of washing out the clot, resulting in the gums taking longer to heal.
A preventive course of antibiotics is prescribed wide range actions, often in injection form. Injections must be given according to the schedule prescribed by the attending physician. As a rule, injections are given twice a day. In case of a complicated medical history (presence of an infectious focus), the doctor may prescribe a combined course of two drugs. Antibiotics should be used in recommended dosages. You cannot stop the course ahead of time.
In addition to the recommendations listed above, you can use folk remedies. Rinsing with decoctions will help speed up recovery. medicinal herbs. You can use decoctions of oak bark, sage, chamomile, calendula, which have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect. Alcohol tinctures and extracts cannot be used.
Symptoms of the recovery period
- increase in body temperature to 37.7-38.5 degrees;
- pain in the area of the postoperative wound;
- slight discharge of blood from the socket.
These symptoms do not indicate the development of complications; they are characteristic of the normal dynamics of regenerative processes. When it’s time to sound the alarm is discussed in the next section of the publication.
Complications and their symptoms
All complications are associated with inflammation and the development of infection at the site of the extracted tooth. The most common complication is alveolitis - inflammation of the bone socket after tooth extraction. Periostitis, an inflammation of the periosteum of the jaw bone, may also develop. Less commonly, a cyst develops at the site of an extracted tooth.
Only a specialist can diagnose the complication. The patient’s task is to suspect the development of a pathological process in a timely manner and promptly seek treatment. medical care. You should remain alert for the following symptoms:
- Hyperemia and severe swelling of the gums.
- Repeated heavy bleeding.
- Exacerbation of pain syndrome.
- Temperature rise above 38.5 degrees or 5 days after extraction.
- The appearance of purulent discharge from the wound.
- Swelling of the cheek on the side of the operation.
- Bad breath.
If one or more symptoms of a complication appear, you should contact the doctor who performed the extraction. Delay is fraught with the development of a pathological process with spread to bone tissue. This can lead to osteomyelitis, which is difficult to treat.
Conclusion
With favorable dynamics of regenerative processes, gum healing after tooth extraction occurs within 7 days. After a week, the patient’s general condition returns to normal, and postoperative symptoms no longer bother him.
The socket takes longer to heal, several months, since osteosynthesis proceeds slowly and goes through several stages: the formation of callus, then osteoid, mineralization of organic matter and the formation of full bone. During this time, it is necessary to remain alert for symptoms of possible complications.
When your teeth hurt badly, it is not only uncomfortable, but also dangerous to your health. Therefore, you should not leave a visit to the dentist for later, but you should visit a specialist as soon as possible.
Tooth extraction, of course, is not a pleasant procedure, but it brings significant relief. True, for the sake of this you will have to endure more certain time, since the wound healing process has its own characteristics, especially if complications arise after the operation.
Why is it really traumatic?
There is no difference in what technology will be used to remove the tooth. In any case, after the intervention the following will remain:
- wound on the oral mucosa;
- bone wound (socket).
Any violation of the integument is an open path for infection to enter the body.
When a tooth is removed, a hole is left that will take some time to heal. During this period, food can get into such a wound and “get stuck” there.
Despite the fact that human saliva has antibacterial properties, she is also a carrier large quantity harmful microbes. That is why, after the operation, a certain amount of healing time is required.
With such manipulations, the dentist violates the integrity of the mucous membrane and carries out a certain rupture of blood vessels and nerves.
And in order to remove the tooth itself, the specialist has to damage nearby ligaments, muscles and other soft tissues. Therefore, the removal site becomes inflamed at first, although healing already begins from the first minute after the operation is completed.
Bleeding wound after tooth extraction
Often the healing process is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- bleeding (stops after about 1-3 hours);
- pain in the area of the extracted tooth, which can radiate to nearby tissues and organs;
- redness of mucous surfaces;
- the temperature may rise briefly;
- due to swelling and pain, the full functioning of the jaw becomes difficult.
These consequences after tooth extraction surgery are considered normal, but only if they do not begin to progress.
What increases the risks?
In order for wound healing to be successful, many factors should be taken into account.
And first of all, whether the person had any other diseases before the operation. If, for one reason or another, he had to take medications that thin the blood, then a symptom such as bleeding can be observed for longer than 3 hours.
And here lies the first potential danger. The blood clot that forms at the site of the hole serves as a kind of 
blockage of an open wound. If it is not there, then the risk of infection entering the body increases, which can lead to complications.
Not only the speed of healing, but also the risk of complications depends on oral hygiene. The oral cavity is a rather aggressive environment, since all food that enters there leaves behind pieces. Thus, favorable conditions are created for the development of pathogenic microflora.
Possible problems
The operation is not always painless. Sometimes during an intervention a person receives injuries that lead to certain consequences.
If the doctor is not experienced, the patient violates the rules of oral hygiene, or simply goes to a questionable dentist, this can lead to the following problems:
- Dry socket. We have already mentioned above about the blood clot that should form in the hole. Its main purpose
– moisturize soft tissues and serve as a barrier to microbes. May occur due to individual characteristics thick blood, taking medicinal thinners or due to vigorous rinsing of the mouth.
How long the gums and the wound as a whole take to heal directly depends on whether the patient has these or other problems after tooth extraction.
Time required for full recovery
After surgery to remove a tooth, healing in the oral cavity will occur in two places - in the socket and in the gum itself.
In each place, regeneration will require its own time:
The healing process can be influenced by external and internal factors. Therefore, in some patients healing takes place in 2 months, while for others it takes 3-4.
What can lengthen the recovery process?
Even a highly qualified specialist does not give exact time frames for healing. But he can warn about potential danger, which extends such a process.
The rehabilitation process is influenced by:
These reasons always negatively affect the healing process. But besides the fact that they can stretch it, they also lead to complications.
How to speed up healing?
Tooth extraction is very unpleasant operation, which will remind you of itself for a long time during the recovery period.
But it can be made easier and faster if you adhere to the following recommendations:
When do you need to see a doctor urgently?
There are a number of situations when a patient may experience symptoms that indicate the onset of a serious complication.
These include: 
- bleeding lasting more than 3 hours and yet it is abundant;
- severe pain and swelling which does not go away for more than 3 hours and begins to affect nearby tissues and organs;
- temperature above 37 degrees, lasting more than a day;
- suppuration(white or gray accumulation), which is accompanied by an unpleasant odor and pain in the socket;
- headache, appearing along with fever and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
All these conditions require immediate response!
Summarize
In order for the postoperative period after tooth extraction to be optimally comfortable and without consequences, it is necessary:
- find a qualified dentist, with experience and dentistry, with good reviews;
- strictly follow all recommendations prescribed by the doctor;
- do not take any medications on your own;
- at the slightest warning signs, seek medical help immediately.
How long does the hole hurt and heal after the tooth extraction procedure: stages of recovery with photos on days 3-7
Toothache not only deprives you of the joys of life, but is also dangerous to your health. That is why dentists do not advise ignoring it, muffling it with painkillers and postponing treatment until tomorrow. If possible modern dentistry Removing teeth is a last resort. However, in advanced cases this procedure cannot be avoided.
Tooth extraction means implantation or prosthetics in the future, for which it is important to be financially prepared. However, first there will be an operation in the office of a dental surgeon. The manipulations are performed under local anesthesia and sometimes bring significant relief. For this, you will have to be patient and carefully care for your oral cavity after removal. Wound healing has its own nuances, and serious complications can occur if hygiene rules are not followed.
How long should a hole heal?
After tooth extraction, a hole remains, which is a source of increased attention. During the operation, the surgeon violates the integrity of blood vessels and nerves and damages adjacent soft tissues. As a result, the injury site may become inflamed and bleed. Its healing is usually accompanied by the following symptoms:
- pain in the area of the extracted tooth;
- pain can radiate to the ear, eye, neighboring tissues;
- rise in body temperature;
- difficulty swallowing, swelling, other dysfunctions of the jaw.
All these consequences are considered normal, but they should gradually fade away and not progress. Successful healing of the gums is influenced by many factors, the main ones being proper oral care, the condition of the body, and the rate of blood clotting. Until a blood clot appears and closes the wound (this takes up to three hours), there is a risk of infection entering it.
Stages of healing with photos
For full recovery it will take much longer because healing after removal is in progress both in the tooth socket and in the gum. They behave differently:
When a wisdom tooth is removed, the formation of new tissue will end by the end of the first month. When looking for photographs of a tooth socket at different times, you should take this point into account so as not to get upset that the process is going wrong. Excessive stress will not benefit your health and will prolong the healing period.
3 days after removal
Normally, the wound does not bleed on day 3. The clot, which was burgundy on the first day, becomes lighter and acquires a yellowish tint. Its color is determined by natural physiological processes. Hemoglobin (the red component) is gradually washed out by saliva, but the fibrin framework remains. It forms the basis of a blood clot that prevents bleeding from the wound.
No need to go into problem area hands, injure with toothpicks and a brush. The wound heals according to the principle secondary intention, from the edges to the center. If these conditions are not met and there is a lack of hygiene, suppuration at the removal site is possible after 1-3 days. This is alveolitis - a dangerous complication with a complex of unpleasant symptoms. The gum becomes inflamed, the pain intensifies, the socket is filled with food or saliva, or is empty, the blood clot is injured or missing. If treatment is not started in time, the disease can lead to phlegmon, abscess, and sepsis.
By 4-5 days, the color of the tooth socket normally becomes even lighter, the wound heals, as can be seen in the photo. The extraction site may still ache and bother you. If the pain is not severe, there is no bad breath, inflammation or swelling of the gums, the process is going as it should. At this time, it is important to maintain oral hygiene, try to speak less and not chew on the problematic side of the jaw.
On the 7-8th day, the painful sensations subside. Granulations gradually replace the blood clot; only traces of it can be seen in the center of the tooth socket. The outside of the wound is covered with a layer of epithelium, while bone tissue is actively forming inside. If you experience discomfort, swelling of the gums, or pain, you should see a dentist. It may be necessary to re-process the hole and add medication. In practice, if the patient followed the instructions after tooth extraction, complications rarely occur.
Factors influencing the rate of gum healing
How long does it take for tissue to heal after extirpation? Each patient has their own regeneration time. The process is influenced by the following factors:
Causes of inflammation of the socket
Inflammation of the tooth socket, surrounding soft tissues or periosteum cannot be missed. The process is accompanied by pain, swelling in the problem area, and general malaise. Body temperature often rises, it becomes painful to speak and swallow. Inflammation of the socket is caused by the following factors:
- infection with ARVI, infections after removal (it is important to be healthy at the time of surgery);
- weakened immunity due to diet or any disease;
- Availability carious teeth, from where pathogenic bacteria move to other parts of the oral cavity;
- incorrectly selected anesthesia;
- poor handling of instruments, non-compliance with sanitary conditions during manipulations, as a result of which infection penetrates into the wound;
- serious damage to the gums during extirpation;
- the cyst from the extracted tooth remained in the socket.
In any situation that interferes with the healing process of the hole after tooth extraction, you should consult a dental surgeon. An x-ray, complete blood count, autopsy, and re-cleaning may be indicated. Additionally, the doctor will prescribe physical therapy and supportive medications to improve your well-being. After cleaning, the doctor puts Neomycin powder (an antibiotic) into the hole and covers it with a tampon. Symptoms of inflammation then disappear within 1-2 days.
What should I do if my gums still hurt after a week?
Normally, pain in soft tissues subsides gradually, and already on the 7th day the patient does not feel severe discomfort. However, with complex removal, the gums take a long time to heal and hurt at night. In this case, you should contact the doctor who removed the tooth. At home, suffering will be alleviated by painkillers (Tempalgin, Nalgesin, Nurofen, Solpadein) and rinses:
- weak soda solution;
- furatsilin solution (1-2 tablets per glass of water);
- decoction of calendula, sage or oak bark;
- antibacterial drug Miramistin.
How to properly care for your gums after tooth extraction?
You must agree to tooth extraction as a last resort when modern dental methods are unable to restore it. If extirpation cannot be avoided, it should be entrusted to an experienced surgeon with a good reputation.
Additionally, the doctor advises on wound care in the first days. The rules after tooth extraction are as follows:
- you should slowly get up from your chair and go out into the corridor;
- sit for about 20 minutes (sudden movements and fussing can cause unwanted bleeding);
- do not eat or drink for 3 hours after manipulation;
- do not rinse your mouth for the first 2 days;
- do not touch or remove the turunda in the hole if the doctor left it;
- If white clot, the tampon with the medicine that was placed during the intervention fell out, you need to rinse your mouth with a chlorhexidine solution and be sure to know how to do it correctly;
- when food gets into the wound after tooth extraction, do not pick with a toothpick, but rinse gently;
- make “baths” for the hole with an antiseptic, as the doctor advises;
- when chewing, try not to touch the affected area;
- When cleaning, do not touch the problem area so as not to tear off the clot;
- from the third day, rinse your mouth with herbal decoctions or antiseptic solutions;
- use topical preparations (Solcoseryl gel, Metrogil denta) as recommended by the dentist;
- for pain and inflammation, apply cold compresses to the cheek for 15 minutes;
- you cannot heat the problem area, take a bath, or steam in a sauna;
- avoid alcohol, smoking, physical activity;
- Consult a doctor if the hole with the clot turns black.
What does a normal healing socket look like after time? Neat, not inflamed, without pain and discomfort. When this is not the case, a dentist should be consulted. He will take measures that will prevent infection or relieve inflammation.
Chief physician, orthopedic dentist
Article checked by doctor
Tooth extraction is surgical intervention, which requires a subsequent period of rehabilitation. Recovery time depends on the complexity of the operation and the location of the tooth. Wisdom teeth require a long period of rehabilitation, and after the removal of fangs and incisors, the gums heal quickly.
How long does it take for gums to heal after tooth extraction?
Healing time
Healing begins from the moment the doctor extracts the tooth. Tension occurs as a result of contraction of the circular ligament located around the tooth, which causes the edges of the gums to move closer together. A blood clot forms in the hole, which under no circumstances should be removed. The bone tissue above which the gums are located begins to form.
The speed of recovery depends on:
- Conditions of the wound. If the dentist makes mistakes, the wound becomes large and torn, which increases its healing time.
- Infections. Infection can occur both during surgery and due to non-compliance with hygiene rules.
- Location areas. Healing after removal of canines and incisors requires less time than after other teeth.
- Care. With improper care and refusal to rinse after eating and treating the hole, pathogenic bacteria may penetrate, which causes suppuration, which significantly increases the healing period.
If the operation is performed well, the healing rate is from 2 to 3 weeks.
Follow-up care plays the most important role in wound healing. Pathogenic microflora can be introduced into it with dirty hands or an old toothbrush. Failure to rinse and use antiseptic solutions also increases the risk of infection. Food particles that remain on teeth are an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
Important! If the operation is performed well, the healing speed is from 2 to 3 weeks. During this time, the wound heals and bone is formed.
At complex operations with a gum incision, tissue regeneration can take 50 days. Throughout the entire period, it is necessary to carefully observe oral hygiene and treat the wound to prevent it from becoming infected. IN at a young age the hole heals faster than in an elderly person.
An increase in the recovery period is possible with:
- Taking anticoagulants.
- Blood diseases.
- Diabetes mellitus.
Gums 2 weeks after tooth extraction
The listed criteria can cause prolonged bleeding that will not stop for more than a day. During this period, it is necessary to stop the blood quickly so that a clot can form.
Wisdom tooth removal
Removal is a complex surgical procedure, accompanied by trauma to soft and bone tissues, as well as blood vessels. In some cases, the wound is sutured and recommendations for subsequent care are given. After about 3 weeks, the hole is overgrown connective tissue with the formation of epithelium. The load during eating can be distributed over the entire oral cavity.
A change in recovery time occurs in the following cases:
- Recovery after extraction of a tooth with several roots is about 4 weeks. If infected, the time increases by another 1.5 weeks.
- If the tooth lay horizontally or had a curved shape, a large tooth may form. laceration. Recovery time can be up to 2 months.
- In the case of a large wound and sutures are applied to it, the healing time is reduced.
Complications after tooth extraction
After the socket heals, the stage of bone tissue formation occurs. It usually takes up to 2 months. During this time, the person does not feel any unpleasant symptoms and can lead a normal life. After the formation of bone tissue, its compaction and further fusion with the gum occurs.
Important! Complete restoration of gums and osseous tissue occurs within 4 months. If infection is detected, the period increases to 10 months.
Most long time It takes healing after the removal of the eighth tooth on the lower jaw due to the close proximity of soft tissues. Ingress of bacteria can cause infection of surrounding tissues. In severe cases, with reduced immunity, abscesses and phlegmon may develop.
Stages of wisdom tooth removal
Methods to Accelerate Healing
In order for the recovery process to take a short period, it is important to create sterile conditions. It is necessary to use both local and systemic drugs prescribed by your doctor and follow the recommendations:
- Hold the gauze swab tightly and place it on the hole for 20 minutes.
- Avoid eating and drinking for 3 hours immediately after surgery.
- In the first days you need to give up solid food and alcoholic drinks.
- Heavy physical activity is contraindicated for several days.
- For 3 days you should not chew on the side of the jaw where the extraction was performed.
The first three days you need to be as careful as possible, because the speed of further healing depends on this period. Once the blood clot has formed and the tissue begins to heal, the risk of infection will be significantly reduced. At this time, it is advisable to eat only liquid food and clean the mouth after eating.
Stages of tooth socket healing
Important! Do not rinse with hydrogen peroxide, salt, soda, vodka and vinegar. Such methods can slow down the rate at which a blood clot forms and cause bleeding.
Gels, solutions and pastes
The use of any means should be carried out after consultation with a specialist who will select the best option in a particular case. Rinse after eating very carefully so as not to injure the hole.
For these purposes use:
- Chlorhexidine. Dilute the 0.05% solution with water in a 1:1 ratio and rinse the mouth for 3 minutes.
- Furacilin solution. Dissolve 0.02 g of furatsilin in a glass of water, filter the composition and rinse.
- Miramistin. The prepared solution is irrigated into the oral cavity 2 times a day.
Rinse preparations for gum healing after tooth extraction
If rinsing too intensely, the blood clot is washed out, which can cause re-bleeding, osteomyelitis and an acute inflammatory process. In the first 48 hours after removal, rinsing is prohibited.
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Visiting the dentist is always an unpleasant experience, especially when there is acute dental pain. After tooth extraction, the gums still hurt for some time and heal slowly because the body was injured. It takes some time until complete recovery. For some, this is a long period of suffering, while for others, the gums heal quickly and imperceptibly.
Consequences of tooth extraction
After the operation, pain and discomfort remain, which force the patient to consult a specialist again. How long the gums heal is a purely individual question, and the determining factors are the patient’s age, the presence chronic diseases and features of the performed manipulations in dentistry. If complications arise during the rehabilitation period, health problems cannot be avoided. More often it is:
- inflammation of the gums followed by suppuration;
- increased swelling with impaired diction and chewing function;
- alveolitis (inflammatory process of the socket during tooth extraction);
- prolonged bleeding from the socket;
- cyst formation ( benign tumor);
- progressive flux (inflammation of the periosteum of an infectious nature);
- elevated temperature, fever, fever.
How long does swelling last?
Toothache returns almost immediately after cessation of action local anesthesia. It can last for 1-3 days, after which it subsides and no longer reminds of itself. As for increased swelling, the normal shape and size of the gums are also restored after the specified time interval. This once again proves that the gums are healing and there are no complications.
If the pulled out tooth continues to hurt badly, and the swelling is frightening in its scale, then you need to consult a dentist. This may be inflammation or the gums are festering and not healing. To eliminate the characteristic pathology, another surgical intervention with further conservative therapy in a hospital setting. Otherwise, doctors do not even rule out blood poisoning.
Alveolitis
This is one of the most dangerous complications when the newly formed hole becomes inflamed. The gum does not heal and bleeds, appears acute attack pain, and the persistent smell of pus only confirms the patient’s guesses. It is very important to pay timely attention to specified symptoms and stop the infectious process, otherwise it spreads to neighboring organs, fabrics. In the absence of positive dynamics, a jump in temperature and acute migraine attacks with the need for hospitalization of the affected party are observed.
How quickly gums heal
After removing one of the positions, the dentition looks unpresentable, and blood accumulates in the newly formed hole, followed by thickening. A clot appears at this site, which must be eliminated by rinsing the mouth. If the hole is completely cleaned, the wound healing process will accelerate, otherwise remove severe attack pain can be treated with medication.
In a healthy person, the gum healing process is quick and painless. If blood clotting is poor, the hole will bleed for another week. On average, experts give 4-5 days for the process of tissue regeneration in a healthy person after tooth extraction. If it still does not heal, the damaged jaw will have to be further treated.
How much does your gum hurt after wisdom tooth removal?
The appearance of such positions in the mouth is unexpected and occurs in adulthood. "Wise teeth" appear suddenly, often having high blood pressure to the root system. Therefore, sometimes it is better to remove them and wait for the natural healing process. To alleviate your condition after the procedure, it is recommended to take additional painkillers and provide careful care.
The gum healing period is 5-7 days. If during this period the hole has not healed and continues to hurt, you need to make an unscheduled appointment with a dentist. If measures are not taken, the nerve becomes inflamed, and the patient’s cheek may increase several times in size. The swelling may also last for 5-7 days.
What to do to make your gums heal faster
If your gums are swollen, do not rush to take antibiotics. This is normal for the first 3 days, but the swelling should gradually subside. If this does not happen, and an acute attack of pain radiates to the bone itself, certain medications will help reduce the unpleasant symptoms. pharmacological groups. The correct choice of medications determines how long the gums take to heal and what the patient’s chances of final healing are.
How to rinse your mouth after tooth extraction
If a tooth is pulled out, the jaw is injured. The result is inflammation with possible infection. If white pus appears, it is recommended to buy calendula flowers and brew them in the usual way. Use the prepared decoction to rinse the mouth, thereby disinfecting the wound and accelerating the process of regeneration of damaged tissue. This is not the only rinse:
- Sage. The decoction has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and it is recommended to prepare it in a ratio of 2 tbsp. l. herbs per 500 ml of boiling water. Take an unlimited number of times per day.
- Pharmaceutical camomile. Removes not only inflammation, but also plaque. It has hypoallergenic properties and has no contraindications. You can prepare the decoction according to the instructions on the package. Using the same principle, you can use St. John's wort, oregano flowers, and pine needles.
- Furacilin. This medical drug is a powerful antiseptic and is used to prepare a solution. It is necessary to dilute 2 tablets of Furacilin in a liter of water, stir until completely dissolved. Rinse your mouth several times a day until the alarming symptoms subside (the gums should turn white).
- Chlorhexidine is another effective remedy for daily rinsing.
