Many people say a toothache is one of the worst pains they’ve ever experienced. Regular dental checkups will go a long way to preventing toothache. Alas, many people find reasons not to see their dentist. One study even showed that 35% of adults in 2019 didn’t have a dental exam or cleaning.
A toothache is often the driving factor why some people finally see their dentist. And a tooth extraction might be the only relief they’ll get from the pain. The good news is tooth extractions sound and look worse than they are. Advances in anesthetics and tools have made things easier for patients. Some pain is inevitable though, but it won’t last forever.
How Long Do Tooth Extractions Hurt?
Dentists recommend tooth extractions for several reasons. Your teeth might be decaying or damaged. You might also have periodontal disease. This can erode gum tissue and bone. It also causes teeth to loosen. You might also need a surgical tooth extraction. Dentists recommend this for people with extra teeth or with small jaws. The latter means not all the teeth can fit in the mouth.
Regardless of the reason, you will feel some pain after an extraction. You can expect some discomfort or minor pain during the extraction process. Your dentist will use an anesthetic to numb the area. This will lessen the pain during the surgery.
Most people experience some throbbing or minor pain after dental extractions. This can last anywhere from 24 to 48 hours. You can also see some bleeding up to a day after the procedure. The pain will lessen after the third day. It might take longer if the tooth extracted was a wisdom tooth.
The empty tooth socket is often healed by the third day. You won’t experience any bleeding but you might still see some minor swelling. The clot in your gums should form after 7 to 10 days. Your dentist will also remove non-dissolving stitches at this point.
The tooth socket is often healed after two weeks. The extraction site could still feel sensitive and tender though. The healing process is often completed three to four weeks after tooth extraction.
3 Things That Can Help with Tooth Extraction Pain
Your toothache should be gone after extraction. Or it should be more manageable. The right aftercare is vital. It will hasten the recovery process. You can do the following to bid the pain adieu faster.
- Follow Your Dentist’s Advice
You should always listen to your dentist. Especially when it comes to tooth extraction aftercare. Most dentists will tell you to take it easy for at least two days. They will also tell you not to do any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for several days. You should also follow their advice on what you can or cannot eat after an extraction.
- Stay Away from Hard Food
You need to make temporary changes to your diet after a tooth extraction. You can only eat cool and soft foods after an extraction surgery. This is to lessen any discomfort you feel. It will also help prevent the pain from returning.
Soft foods like soup and oatmeal are good. You can also go with risotto, smoothies, and shakes. You should avoid crunchy and tough foods. That means no candy, carrots, and chips. You should also be mindful of your food’s temperature. You want it to be cool, not cold. The extraction site can become painful upon contact with extreme temperatures.
- Elevate Your Head
Rest is vital after a surgical tooth extraction. It’s one of the best ways to hasten the recovery process. You should make sure you keep your head elevated while you’re resting. This will prevent blood from rushing to the extraction site. It can also reduce bleeding. Ignoring your dentist’s orders to rest can make the bleeding post last longer.
Helping You Smile More Often
You can get that winning smile at Dentistry of Orlando. We’re one of the top dental clinics in the Sunshine State. We have given over 50,000 happy smiles. Our clinic specializes in family and cosmetic dentistry. You don’t need to keep changing dentists. We offer dental services no matter your stage of life. We have an expert dental team that can handle all your concerns. Our services include dental cleaning and filling. We do tooth extractions and root canal treatments. We also offer same-day appointments. Give us a call at (407) 249-9292 and (407) 851-5555. You can also send us a message here and here.
