Healing After Tooth Extraction

There are only two methods to having a tooth extraction dayton oh; pulling or extracting the tooth or undergoing oral surgery to have the impacted tooth cut out. An impacted tooth, mostly wisdom teeth, are those that do not erupt through the surface of the gum line. In either case the healing process is very deliberate. A process that you need to follow the instructions and to not cut corners.

The logistics of a Tooth Extraction

In most cases the tooth will be numbed with a local anesthetic. The dentist will use a hand tool to literally pull the tooth. At this point there will be blood flow from the hole, or extraction site. The dentist will put gauze in the hole and ask you to bite down for a period of time to stop the bleeding. The most important element in your healing now develops and that is the blood clot. You are protecting that blood clot is what the healing process is all about. With an oral surgery extraction, the tooth is cut out and often sutures are used to close the hole. The healing process is still identical.

The Multiple Factors contributing to the Healing Process

There are many factors that will influence the healing process. The first is the tooth itself. The location in your mouth and any complications in the extraction. The size of the tooth will obviously create a different size hole. A larger hole will necessitate a larger blood clot. There is the area immediately around the site. Is the gum tissue healthy or is the extraction the result of gum disease?

We each have our own capacity to heal. Your genetic make-up can influence the healing process as well as your age, your medical condition and your personal habits. You may be taking a blood thinner that will slow the process and you may indulge in the habit of smoking. The American Dental Association has proven that the chemicals in tobacco will slow down the healing process after a tooth extraction.

General Instructions for Everyone

For the first 24 hours, it is imperative you do not suck a liquid through a straw, that you do not smoke and you stay away from both alcohol and hot beverages. You may be advised to consider softer food also. The healing process is all about the health of the blood clot in the vacated tooth socket. If you lose that clot you can easily experience a painful and discomforting event called a dry socket. This can also lead to an infection. The first 24 hours is indeed crucial. The next period is seven days. You can begin to return to normal activities and drinking habits but try to remain conscious of that newly forming blood clot and avoid strenuous activities. The actual hole will take three to five weeks to close permanently. This new tissue will have an abundance of blood vessels so if you do not behave yourself and follow the dentist’s instruction you can bleed easily and extend your healing. Take care of yourself and exercise common sense.

More on Tooth Extractions : Wisdom Teeth Extraction