Do you need to have a tooth removed, and are you worried about the pain? Are you afraid that the pain will last a long time? Do not worry; if you comply with your dentist’s recommendations, the pain will surely last a short time. Remember that the decision to extract a tooth is usually motivated by an infectious process. This infection forces the dentist to evaluate tooth extraction, which requires special attention after extraction for proper recovery. In this FastlyHealarticle, we will talk to you about how long the pain lasts after tooth extraction and all the recommendations you should follow.
Table of Contents
Why a tooth extraction should be performed
The main reasons why the dentist may decide to carry out a tooth extraction are:
- Signs of infection
- Trauma
- Very deep cavities.
- Broken molars.
- Advanced periodontal disease.
- Bad placement.
The main recommendation is to extract it to avoid the risk of generating an infectious process that affects other molars or teeth. The extraction can be simple or surgical using local anesthesia that allows the area to be numbed to prevent the procedure from causing pain.
In the case of treating the extraction of the wisdom tooth or wisdom teeth, it will depend on the position in which it is within the oral cavity, previously requiring an X-ray evaluation to determine the type of procedure to be performed, generally the permanence of these teeth Depending on their location, they modify the bite of the person and cause the other teeth and teeth to slip, generating intense pain.
How long does the pain last after tooth extraction?
It is expected that after tooth extraction, the pain begins a few hours after the procedure as a result of the loss of the anesthetic effect; this pain lasts with vigorous-intensity during the first 48 hours, decreasing from that moment for a few days, even a week this symptom allows a follow-up of the healing evolution after tooth extraction.
It can also be associated with other discomforts such as:
- Swelling.
- Jaw pain
- Irritation
63% of patients who undergo surgical removal of wisdom teeth experience moderate pain, and the remaining 37% have severe pain [1]. Suppose the pain extends for many more days. In that case, it is essential to go to the dentist again to determine if an infectious process is associated that requires another treatment, generally known as alveolitis.
Tips after tooth extraction
Although pain is unavoidable due to the invasive procedure performed in the oral cavity, it is essential to follow specific tips to reduce pain and improve recovery time after tooth extraction. The following should be taken into account:
- Use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs from the NSAIDs group, such as ibuprofen and diclofenac, every 8 hours for at least five days, which will reduce the pain considerably.
- Using antibiotics after the surgical process is always recommended to improve healing and avoid infections; it is recommended to use amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid every 12 hours for seven days or other medications such as amoxicillin or ampicillin.
- It is also essential to use cold compresses on the side where the tooth was extracted and consistently apply it from the outside and without direct contact, at an interval of 20 minutes several times a day.
- A liquid or soft diet is recommended during the first 48 hours after the extraction, preferably cold foods that reduce inflammation and improve pain.
- After the extraction, oral hygiene is essential with rinses for up to 48 hours, where it is recommended to use the toothbrush and dental floss again.
- Rest is essential to improve healing time; avoiding exertional physical activities or exposure to outdoor environments is recommended.
- It is also important not to smoke or drink alcohol and avoid consuming carbonated and citrus drinks.
Possible complications of a tooth extraction
Failure to comply with the recommendations and advice indicated by the dentist may run the risk of suffering the complications that a tooth extraction has as it is an invasive surgical medical procedure:
- The first complication and the most common of them is alveolitis; this is an inflammatory process precisely where the tooth was extracted due to a lousy healing process where there was probably the growth of bacteria. The characteristic of alveolitis is that it manifests with intense pain; this treatment is antibiotic and anti-inflammatory, as indicated by the dentist.
- The bleeding is the second one; then, tooth extraction bleeding is likely to occur as a complication. In this case sometimes necessary to apply compressive cures with gauze or suturing of the wound.
Warning signs in the presence of complications
It is important to note that certain red flags may indicate the presence of complications after tooth extraction:
- The first is severe pain that does not improve even after taking anti-inflammatory medication.
- Fever for at least 48 hours after the surgical medical procedure.
- Pus-filled discharge from the wound.
- Heavy bleeding
- Pain that progresses over the days and increases in intensity.
If you comply with all the recommendations given by the dentist after tooth extraction, the pain will probably not be as intense as imagined.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to How long does paint last after a tooth extraction, we recommend that you enter our Teeth and mouth category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.