When you get a tooth extracted, your body starts sending signals of discomfort and pain. That is why slight pain during the recovery period is quite normal. However, if things go haywire and the discomfort is constant, it could be due to some complications. Let’s discuss those in detail.
Normal Healing Pain After Tooth Extraction
Your body has a natural mechanism to protect itself and indicate something going wrong with the help of pain receptors that come into action when they sense damage or trauma. A tooth extraction may, for some time, be perceived as an injury that gradually gets better with healing progression.
Normal healing pain is usually felt once the anesthetic starts to wear off. The pain intensifies over the next few hours, reaching a threshold within the first 24 hours. However, it is smooth after that. By the third or fourth day, most people are mostly pain-free. Some minor swelling and soreness might persist for the first week.
Experiencing pain in the first 24 hours post-extraction is quite normal, so do not worry about that. This pain is often a sign that your body is working to heal itself. OTC (Over-the-counter) or prescribed medications help in relieving this discomfort. Other than that, applying a cold pack to the outside of your cheek eases inflammation.
Pain After Tooth Extraction – Possible Causes
While some amount of discomfort is normal, persistent pain might be an indicator of other issues.
- Throbbing Tooth Pain Due To Infection: Infections bud in the extraction site even after the tooth is removed for good. So, to prevent this from happening, maintaining excellent oral hygiene is essential.Be on the lookout for these symptoms and contact a professional if there is:
– Pain and swelling at the extraction site.
– Throbbing sensation in the jaw.
– Chills.
– Abscess
– Fever - Infection of the Bone – Osteomyelitis: Sometimes, the infection spreads to the jawbone, leading to a condition called osteomyelitis. If this happens, you will see signs like jaw pain along with fever and chills.
- Soreness in Jaw Muscles: Dental procedures such as extractions and root canals involve keeping your mouth open for a long period, which strains your jaw muscles. The solution here is quite simple: apply either cold or hot compresses to the affected area.
When Should You See Your Dentist?
You must keep in mind some level of pain after a tooth extraction; there are certain signs that should indicate you to contact your dentist immediately:
- Constant pain even after completion of day three of the procedure.
- Pain that circulates to your temple, ear, eye, or neck.
- Severe or worsening pain.
- Bad breath, also known as halitosis.
- Visible dry socket (an empty socket without a blood clot).
- Fever
- Redness at the extraction site
Closing Note
All in all, knowing the signs of recovery after a tooth extraction is pivotal for a smooth healing journey. While pain is par for the healing course, staying cautious for signs of infection or complications is equally important. If you would like to learn more about this and what we can do to help you, contact Nimmi Shine Dental at 9888 Carroll Centre Rd Suite #112, San Diego, CA 92126, United States. Number: (858) 999-8550
