Will it hurt after a Tooth extraction?

Ever wondered what happens when you have a tooth extracted?

How does the gum heal? Do you feel pain after extraction? How long does it take to get better? Are there any common complications that you need to watch out for?

One of the complications that comes from having a tooth extracted is known as a dry socket. A dry socket is a fairly commonplace occurrence but it can be painful. After all, when you’ve just had an aching tooth removed, the last thing you want is for the pain to continue afterwards! The pain should go away!

So what causes a dry socket?

Normally, when the tooth is removed, a blood clot forms at the extraction site which helps the gum to start healing. It works in the same way as when a cut scabs over – the scab helps it to dry out and protects it from further infection. Sometimes, the blood clot can dissolve or become dislodged. This means that the extraction site does not heal as quickly.

When a patient suffers from a dry socket, the pain does not gradually disappear. Instead, it gradually intensifies. Other symptoms can be bad breath resulting from an odour coming from the extraction site, as well as a bad taste in the mouth. Usually, these symptoms are very apparent around a week after the tooth was initially extracted. Often, the pain feels as though it’s affecting the entire side of your face. Patients have reported feeling pain in their eye and ear.

As yet, nobody knows exactly why dry sockets form or how we can stop them. However, research has shown that there are a number of scenarios that seem to contribute to the development of dry sockets and some patients are more susceptible than others.

For example, when a blood clot has formed, you must be careful not to dislodge it. We will recommend you avoid vigorous brushing or using a mouthwash and avoid smoking for the next few days. The nicotine in the cigarette sometimes causes early breakdown of the blood clot.  You also have to be careful with what you eat a drink. Hot drinks such as coffee and hot soup should be avoided.

There is evidence to suggest that dry sockets are more likely to form after a traumatic tooth extraction. We believe that this is because of the tissue damage caused. When the tissue is damaged, it releases chemical compounds which delay the formation of the blood clot.

Extractions can be traumatic for different reasons. It could be that the tooth has been knocked out. However, it could also be that a wisdom tooth extraction requires a large part of the tissue to be cut away so that the tooth can be reached. In fact, research shows that around 20% of cases of dry socket formation involve the extraction of impacted wisdom teeth.

What should you do is you start experiencing pain after an extraction?

Return to your dentist so that they can take a look at the affected area. The best treatment is usually a combination of pain relief tablets and a medicated dressing on the extraction site. This allows the healing process to continue. The dressing will need to be changed regularly – in some cases every day – so prepare to spend a little more time back in the dentist chair.