When does the gum heal after tooth extraction, and how long is the healing period after tooth extraction?

When does the gum heal after tooth extraction, in some cases, dentists are forced to extract the affected tooth to avoid any problems or complications that might occur later. Therefore, some patients wonder whether the gum heals after the extraction process or not, and we will answer this question in this article, in addition to answering many other questions.

When does the gum heal after tooth extraction

When does the gum heal after tooth extraction

It is normal for the gum to heal after a tooth extraction within a period ranging from 14 to 21 days, and by the end of this period, the patient fully recovers. However, if the extracted tooth is a wisdom tooth, it will require a longer period of up to a month for the doctor to confirm the complete healing of the gum wound and full recovery. But if the wound does not heal within a month after the extraction procedure, it is necessary to return to the treating doctor to try to diagnose the problem and prescribe the necessary treatment. There are reasons that may delay wound healing, such as:

• Not removing the remnants of the extracted tooth and not cleaning the area where the extraction took place.
• Infection due to bacteria or microbes in the affected area during the extraction, accompanied by some symptoms such as fever, pus formation, pain and swelling of the gums, bleeding, itching, loss of taste, or bitterness in the mouth.

How do I know if the extraction site is inflamed?

The patient may experience some complications after undergoing a tooth extraction, so some patients complain of gum inflammation, which can be identified by some accompanying symptoms. The symptoms that are a strong indicator of inflammation in the extraction site are listed below:

• Tasting bitterness in the mouth or when tasting any food or drink.
• Protrusion of the bone of the extracted tooth.
• Suffering from bad breath.
• Continued bleeding at the site of the extracted tooth and its non-stoppage.
• Fever.
• Pain extending to the eye, ear, and neck on the same side from which the tooth was extracted. “Book an appointment at  The Dental Center and discover the superior dental care tools we use in the extraction process without any complications. You will feel completely confident in your dental care.”

How can I make the gum heal?

Some of the symptoms that occur after a tooth or dental extraction include bleeding and severe pain. Therefore, there are some factors that help the doctor accelerate the process of healing the gum wound, such as:

• Placing a medical gauze in a medical substance that prevents the dissolution of fibrin responsible for blood clotting, then having the patient press on this gauze with their teeth in the affected area.
• Some medical laboratories produce oral gel containing a percentage of tranexamic acid, which has some properties that protect the painted gum area.
• Placing a piece of cloth containing ice on the side of the jaw from which the tooth was extracted for a period ranging between fifteen minutes and half an hour.
• The doctor prescribing some medications such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and strong painkillers that control inflammation and bleeding and speed up wound healing.
• Good nutrition and eating plenty of vegetables and fruits, avoiding hard foods, ice creams, and hot liquids.
• Using a brush designed for sensitive teeth, suitable toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash prescribed by the doctor for cleaning the teeth, taking care to gently clean the wound.
• Regular follow-up with the doctor after the procedure, especially in case of any undesirable symptoms.

How long does healing take after tooth extraction?

One of the most common questions is how long healing takes after tooth extraction, and as mentioned at the beginning of the article, the complete healing period after extracting any tooth is 14 to 21 days, and

in the case of a wisdom tooth, it may reach a month. During this period, the doctor advises the patient with some guidelines that accelerate their healing and reduce any symptoms or complications that may occur later. We will list these instructions in the following brief lines:

• Required rest for two or three days after undergoing the extraction procedure.
• Avoid touching the affected area, especially the wound.
• Using a saltwater solution to sterilize the wound, preferably swallowing it and not spitting it out.
• Cold compresses on the cheek of the side from which the tooth was removed.
• Raising the head higher while sleeping with the help of some pillows.
• Avoiding smoking during this period.
• Avoiding hot and cold drinks and foods.
• Preferably drinking water and soup only during this period and avoiding solid foods.
• Making sure to take prescribed medications on time, especially painkillers and anti-inflammatories.

What replaces the extracted tooth?

What replaces the extracted tooth?

Let’s first talk about the complications or risks that might occur if the space left by the extracted tooth remains empty before knowing the possible solutions. These risks can be listed in the following points:

• Lengthening of the tooth opposite the extracted tooth space.
• Decay in the teeth adjacent to or surrounding the extraction site.
• Buildup of tartar on the teeth.
• Misalignment of teeth afterward, affecting their functional performance.
• Inability to chew food properly.
• Impact on the pronunciation of certain letters during speech.
• The adjacent teeth to the extracted tooth may tilt and become unstable in their position.

After presenting these problems that may occur as complications if the spaces of the extracted tooth are not filled, we can discuss how to treat them or the alternatives that can be used in the following lines:

1. Implanting a tooth in place of the extracted tooth if the bone structure is strong and there is no medical history preventing it, and learn about the steps of dental implantation and its prices by clicking here.
2. Creating a bridge between the tooth before the extracted tooth and the tooth after it by placing a crown on each, which represents a fixed installation.
3. The removable installation, in which the tooth is placed instead of the extracted tooth and can be removed at any time.

Post-extraction complications

Some medical complications may appear after the tooth extraction process, which we will mention below:

• Formation of layers on the affected area due to blood clotting.
• Accumulation of pus in the place of the extracted tooth accompanied by pain, inflammation, and sometimes fever.
• Feeling of numbness on the side where the extraction took place, indicating nerve damage during the procedure.
• Bleeding for more than 24 hours following the extraction.

Main reasons for tooth extraction

Tooth extraction is the last resort after attempting all other treatment methods such as fillings with the patient. However, there are some emergency reasons requiring removal of the problem source to avoid any other complications affecting the rest of the mouth’s teeth, which we can learn about below:

• Impaction of the tooth within the gum and inability to correct its position to be above it.
• Wisdom tooth growing in an unnatural position in the gum.
• Some gum diseases.
• Certain cases of wisdom tooth decay that do not respond to other treatment methods.
• Jaw crowding with many teeth causing problems when the wisdom tooth emerges.
• Inflammation around the crown of the wisdom tooth.
• Benign tumors growing next to the wisdom tooth requiring the extraction of the tooth itself.
• Pus formation in the area of the wisdom tooth, and you can find out which is better, nerve filling or tooth extraction, through this article.

How is the tooth extracted?

The tooth extraction process is an important procedure that requires a thorough examination of the patient’s condition and a detailed review of their medical history. Therefore, we will mention the steps followed by the dentist in the extraction process in this article in the following points:

• Performing X-rays that detail the measurements of the tooth to be extracted, including dimensions, length, shape, location, and the bones surrounding it. Do not hesitate to use the dental X-ray service at The Dental Center to get high-resolution images of your teeth, which helps us diagnose possible diseases and problems and take the necessary therapeutic steps.
• Local anesthesia of the affected area.
• Using an elevator tool to loosen the tooth.
• Using dental forceps to extract the affected tooth.
• Smoothing the edges and surfaces of the bone area under the extracted tooth.</ li>
• Stitching the extraction site with some stitches.

Gum care after tooth extraction

• Pressing lightly after placing a medical gauze on the extracted tooth site until blood clots and bleeding stops, which should be done within 30 or 45 minutes.
• If bleeding continues after an hour from the extraction procedure, use tea bags on the extracted tooth site with slight pressure on it, and bleeding should stop within half an hour as it causes blood vessels to constrict.
• Always ensure not to bend the head downwards.
• The day after the extraction, it is preferable to use chlorhexidine gel on the surrounding area and not the extraction site itself due to its effective role as it eliminates any possible infection in the operation area and reduces pain.
• Using warm compresses two days after the extraction and preferably placing a towel soaked in warm water on the jaw from which the tooth was removed.
• Eating healthy soft food that is easy to swallow and does not require chewing, avoiding spicy food and caffeine.