{"id":120,"date":"2019-10-17T20:01:00","date_gmt":"2019-10-17T20:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.andersondentalgahanna.com\/blog\/?p=120"},"modified":"2021-12-07T17:06:26","modified_gmt":"2021-12-07T17:06:26","slug":"how-long-does-it-take-to-heal-from-a-tooth-extraction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.claybrookedental.com\/blog\/how-long-does-it-take-to-heal-from-a-tooth-extraction\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Does It Take to Heal from a Tooth Extraction?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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You had a root canal done on a tooth a few months ago, but\nfor some reason the infection didn\u2019t ever really go away. As a result, your\ndentist told you that you have to get that\ntooth removed.<\/a> Although tooth extraction is usually seen as a last resort, there\nare times when it\u2019s necessary. Let\u2019s take a closer look at tooth extraction,\nwhen it\u2019s needed, and how long recovery should last. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Does a Tooth Need to Be Removed in the First Place?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

More often than not, a tooth extraction is required to prevent\nan infected tooth from causing harm to the surrounding oral structures. When\ndecay has reached the inner portion of the tooth where the pulp lies, the bacteria\ncan cause the tooth to die, effectively rendering it unable to do its job. Tooth\nremoval is usually only performed if a root canal is unable to save the tooth. A\ntooth may also be extracted if space needs to be created in the mouth to make\nroom for orthodontic treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Should Recovery Take?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Immediately after the tooth is removed, your dentist will ask\nyou to gently bite down on gauze to allow a healing blood clot to form. You\u2019ll\nneed to keep pressure on the blood clot for several hours after the procedure,\nif not for the rest of the day. Your dentist will instruct you on how often to\nchange the gauze. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rest of the healing process should take a few days to a\nweek. In the first 24 hours, you should refrain from spitting forcefully or rinsing\nyour mouth out. For the first three days, avoid smoking or using a straw.\nSmoking disrupts the mouth\u2019s healing process, and the suction of using a straw could\ndislodge the blood clot, causing a painful condition called dry socket. Stick\nto a soft food diet for a few days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In general, after a tooth extraction, you can expect to turn\nto your normal life after four to seven days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Should I Call My Dentist?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After the initial anesthetic wears off, it\u2019s normal to feel\nsome pain and soreness. Take any prescribed pain medication as needed. However,\nif the pain persists even after taking the medication, let your dentist know\nimmediately. Also, call your dentist if you experience any of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n