How Long Does Pain Last After Tooth Extraction?

Years ago, people were anxious about removing their teeth due to a lack of anesthetics. Fortunately, anxiety has been eliminated by modern advancements in dentistry. The tooth extraction process is pain-free, whether a simple or surgical extraction. However, you may be fearful of the pain after tooth extraction. Read on to know what to expect post-extraction.

Why Extraction Is Needed

It is rare for a dentist to recommend an extraction. However, the dentist in Rancho Bernardo will resort to it when pulling out the tooth is the most viable solution. In addition, this procedure may be necessary for certain instances. For example, when the tooth has irreparable damage caused by decay.

Severe tooth decay may lead to an infection in the tooth’s center, known as the dental pulp. Usually, a dentist will perform a root canal procedure to remove the infected tissues and restore the tooth’s function. However, the treatment will not save the tooth if the infection is extremely severe. Therefore, the dentist will extract it instead to keep the disease from spreading.

An extraction may also be necessary to help restore your oral health when you have periodontal disease. The disease affects the gums, ligaments, and the alveolar bone making the teeth loosen. Your dentist will pull out the loosened teeth as part of periodontal therapy. Once the infection is under control, you may restore the teeth with dental implants.

When a tooth comes out, it may be blocked from fully erupting out of the gums. As a result, it becomes impacted, causing discomfort and infections. It also increases the risk of damaging the other teeth. Therefore, the dentist will perform a surgical extraction of the affected tooth. The process will eliminate the discomfort and lower the risk of infection and teeth crowding.

An extraction may be performed as part of orthodontic treatment. For example, if your teeth are severely crowded, pulling out a tooth or two will create room to align them. Finally, pulling out teeth may be essential after dental trauma that leaves them irreparable.

Pain After a Tooth Extraction

You will not experience pain when having a tooth removed as the dentist will use an anesthetic. The area surrounding the tooth to be extracted is numbed prior to the extraction. However, once the analgesic wears off, you will feel pain and discomfort. The pain is due to the underlying inflammation and the reaction of the body’s anti-inflammatory cells as they fight it.

Due to a dry socket, you may have severe pain in the extraction site three or four days after an extraction. This condition occurs when a blood clot does not form in the tooth socket or is dislodged. It leads to pain since the underlying bone and nerves are exposed. In addition, infection forms at the site, resulting in bad odor and taste emissions.

Most people ask how long post-extraction dental pain lasts. Generally, the level and duration of the pain vary from individual to individual. Some may experience discomfort for a day and others for up to three days. Particularly sensitive patients may have the soreness for about a week. Surgical post-extraction pain lasts up to two weeks, and pain due to a dry socket can last up to seven days.

How to Overcome Pain After Tooth Extraction

The dentist recommends these tips to overcome pain after tooth extraction.

• Take the pain-relieving medication as the dentist directs, even if you are not in pain. In addition, do not skip taking the antibiotics. They will help prevent an infection that may cause severe inflammation.
• Use ice packs or a cold compress on the area to numb it and alleviate the pain.
• Start rinsing your mouth with warm saline water on the third-day post-extraction. It will help reduce swelling and pain.
• Avoid salty, spicy foods or difficult to chew as they aggravate the wound.

When Should You Be Worried?

Although some pain is expected following an extraction, there are instances where you should call a dentist. For example, if you experience throbbing pain that is not managed by medicine. Also, contact the Center for Oral Health experts if you have jaw pain, prolonged pain, or radiating pain after an extraction. They are causes for concern and should be addressed fast.