How do your gums heal after wisdom tooth extraction

Q: Do gums fill in after wisdom tooth extraction?

You may notice a hole” in your gums after surgery. This is the tooth socket, and it will fill in over the next 4-6 weeks. Food may become lodged in the sockets (especially the lower). If this happens, wound healing will be compromised, and you will be at risk for developing dry socket and even infection.

Sometimes the after-effects of oral surgery are quite minimal, so all these instructions may not apply. Common sense will often dictate what you should do. However, when in doubt, please follow these guidelines or call the office for clarification. We can be reached at (415) 397-1400.

Table of Contents Show

Proper Healing After Tooth Extraction
When to Call Our Doctors
Speed Up Your Recovery After Tooth Extraction
Call Associated Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons if You Have Any Questions
How do I know if my gum is healing after wisdom tooth extraction?
What is the fastest way to heal gums after wisdom teeth removal?
Do gums fill in after wisdom tooth extraction?

AFTER-HOURS CONTACT

If you are having a problem after regular office hours and need to speak with Dr. Rayher, please call (415) 397-1400. Please follow the prompts or wait on the line and an operator will assist you. The operator will take your name and phone number that will be forwarded to Dr. Rayher. He will return your call. Please turn off any caller ID blocking.

Our doctors care about every patient and believe in educating them in every aspect of their procedure. Because it is possible that complications could occur after your tooth extraction, this blog will explain what you should expect during your recovery, how long the extraction site will take to heal on average, and how you can know if your tooth extraction area has properly healed.

Proper Healing After Tooth Extraction

When it comes to healing after a tooth extraction, Peoria patients should be careful to monitor the extraction area to ensure that it looks healthy. In truth, there are several stages of healing you will experience after your tooth extraction. You will know your gums are healing properly by keeping these stages in mind:

Within the first 24 hours, you can expect a naturally occurring clot to form where your tooth was extracted. If you feel discomfort during this time, it is completely normal and to be expected. You will also experience minor bleeding and swelling during this stage.

After the first day, patients should be careful to avoid dislodging the clot formed in the open socket. Doing so could cause a painful complication called dry socket. Avoid sucking on a straw and do not brush in the area of your tooth extraction.

About 3 days after your tooth extraction, your gums will begin to heal and close around the removal site.

And finally, 7-10 days after your procedure, the opening left by your extracted tooth should be closed (or almost closed), and your gums should no longer be tender or swollen.

When to Call Our Doctors

As you can see, it will take roughly 1-2 weeks for your tooth extraction site to completely heal; however, if you notice any of the following symptoms or signs, be sure to contact our doctors as soon as possible:

Fever

Intense pain in the jaw or gums

Numbness in the mouth

Swelling that will not subside

Excessive bleeding that will not stop

A bad taste within the mouth that will not go away

Evidence of pus within the open socket

Speed Up Your Recovery After Tooth Extraction

While every patient will heal differently and at a different rate, there are specific things our doctors recommend tooth extraction patients do in order to help speed up their recovery time, including:

Carefully follow the aftercare instructions provided by our doctors.
Take pain medication as directed to minimize discomfort.
Do not remove the gauze placed in your open socket for at least 3-4 hours after your tooth extraction.
After the first 24 hours, rinse your mouth with salt water several times a day.
Ice your cheeks in the area of your extraction in 15-minute increments several times a day.

Call Associated Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons if You Have Any Questions

If you plan to have a tooth extraction and have additional questions regarding how to know if you are healing properly, do not hesitate to call our doctors in Peoria today at (309) 682-1213, and a member of our team will be happy to assist you.

How do I know if my gum is healing after wisdom tooth extraction?

After about 3 days, the empty tooth socket will have mostly healed. There should be no more bleeding present, and swelling should be minimal at this point. You may still experience some tenderness or soreness, but you should no longer feel pain or discomfort.

What is the fastest way to heal gums after wisdom teeth removal?

6 Tips for Faster Recovery After a Tooth Extraction.

Rest. It is crucial to get adequate rest after your tooth extraction. ... .

Eat a Soft Food Diet. ... .

Avoid Using a Straw or Smoking. ... .

Cold Therapy. ... .

Use Over-the-Counter Medications. ... .

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene..

Do gums fill in after wisdom tooth extraction?

You may notice a “hole” in your gums after surgery. This is the tooth socket, and it will fill in over the next 4-6 weeks. Food may become lodged in the sockets (especially the lower). If this happens, wound healing will be compromised, and you will be at risk for developing dry socket and even infection.