Tooth extraction surgery is a big decision, one that leaves behind an even bigger effect. Whether it’s your wisdom tooth or a broken tooth, it doesn’t matter. After the surgery, all you have to do is make sure you’re taking good care of the extraction site. But how long do you need to keep that up for? How long does a tooth extraction take to heal?
If you’ve just had one of your pearly whites pulled, you’re probably looking forward to healing faster. Well, luckily for you, we’ve answered all your burning questions right here in this blog.
What to Expect After a Tooth Extraction Surgery?
Right after your surgery, your dentist will give you a set of instructions to follow. This will help you recover faster, all the while protecting the extraction site from further wounds.
At first, you may experience slight pain, bleeding, and difficulty moving your mouth. However, that is to be expected. The initial pain will slowly fade away by the third day.
That is to say, the tooth extraction site after 3 days will have mostly healed, especially on the inside. Soon enough, then, if you follow your dentist’s advice, you won’t have anything to worry about.
How Long Does a Tooth Extraction Take to Heal?
Essentially, the time it takes for a tooth extraction to heal completely depends entirely on the position of the tooth. For instance, a wisdom tooth or a molar extraction takes around 5 to 7 days to heal. At the same time, a front tooth can take up to a week, or perhaps two, to recover.
In addition, the number of teeth removed also comes into account. So, if you’ve only had one tooth removed, there’s nothing much you need to worry about. But, if you’ve had more than two teeth extracted, the healing time might extend.
It’s vital to keep in mind that the pain and tenderness typically go away in 2 weeks at most. But the hole that is left behind closes slowly over time. It takes almost a month or three for it to close completely.
How to Know If Your Tooth Extraction is Healing Properly
By the third or fifth day, you’ll notice a considerable difference in the pain levels. There should barely be any swelling around the area and minimal to no bleeding. However, there still might be some soreness or tenderness. But at least the intense discomfort will no longer bother you, ruining your sleep. That’s how you can tell your tooth extraction recovery is on the right path.
Final Words
Tooth extraction isn’t something to be scared of. As long as you take good care of the surgery site, there’s nothing you have to worry about.
Moreover, the total time it will take for a tooth extraction to heal depends on a lot of variables, such as the location and number of teeth pulled. But either way, the healing time usually takes around a week or two.
For more information, contact Smile 4 Ever Family Dentistry at (281) 213-5668. Feel free to also drop by our dental office at 14715 T C Jester Blvd, Houston, TX 77068. We’re right between Daiquiris and From The Barrel.