Although permanent teeth are expected to last throughout life, they could be extracted due to a number of reasons.
Extracting a tooth is usually the last resort, especially if the tooth cannot be saved. After a tooth has been extracted, a hole is left behind- the space that housed the missing tooth in the jaw bone.
The time it takes the hole to close depends on the tooth that was extracted and how traumatic the extraction was.
Healing Timeline
The time it takes for a hole to fill up completely after a tooth extraction depends on if the extraction was difficult, the size of the tooth, and the type of extraction.
Single Root Tooth
If the tooth that was extracted was a small tooth such as a baby tooth or a tooth with one root such as the incisors, the hole should start to close up by the end of the first week.
By the second week, you can start to eat comfortably on that side without any fear of food getting stuck in the hole.
Multiple Root Tooth
If a larger tooth was removed or a tooth with more than one root or multiple teeth along the same line were removed, the hole should start filling up by the third week but the indentation felt on the gum may still persist after some months before eventually smoothening out.
Wisdom Tooth
For a wisdom tooth extraction, it takes about 6 weeks for the jaw bone and gum tissue to heal completely and close up.
This may also differ if the tooth was impacted in the bone or gum. If the tooth was deeply buried inside the bone and required bone removal, the healing time may be prolonged.
If gum tissue was stitched up after the extraction, the healing process is faster and the hole fills up much quicker.
Points To Note
The soft tissue usually heals itself and the hole closes up to the point where food no longer gets trapped in it anymore in about 3 weeks.
If the tooth was fractured during the extraction procedure and one or more roots were left in the socket, the hole will also take a longer time to close.
If you are on birth control pills that contain estrogen or progesterone or you are taking aspirin, these medications can affect the ability of the blood to clot or increase clotting time which, in turn, slows down the healing process.
If there was an ongoing infection before the tooth was extracted, the hole takes a longer time to close up.
Tips To Speed Up Healing Time
These tips are also called tooth extraction aftercare instructions.
- Eat meals with lots of fruits and vegetables.
- Avoid grainy foods like rice, foods with seeds like granola or hard foods so that they don’t get stuck in the extraction hole.
- Do not blow, drink with a straw, suck or rinse your mouth vigorously as this action may dislodge the blood clot
- Do not use an electric toothbrush.
- Do not smoke or chew tobacco or take alcohol within 48 hours after the tooth extraction procedure.
- Avoid chewing on the side of the extraction.
- Warm water and salt baths should be done at least seven times a day starting 24 hours after the procedure.
- If food gets stuck in the tooth hole, rinse gently with warm saltwater. Don’t use your fingers, tongue or any object to poke into the extraction site.
- Ensure that you take your prescribed analgesics and antibiotics as at when due. This will help reduce pain and prevent infection.
- If you notice any increased pain, swelling or any other concerns about the extraction that was done, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist immediately.
Complications Of Tooth Extraction
If the healing process does not go as it is supposed to, it could lead to the following complications.
1. Dry Socket
Dry socket is a condition that can occur about 2 to 3 days after the extraction. There is severe pain and it occurs when there is premature dislodging of the blood clot.
2. Numbness
Trauma to the nerve during wisdom tooth extraction can cause numbness in your lips and chin for some months.
3. Secondary Infection
The extraction site can become secondarily infected and this is more common in patients with suppressed immunity in conditions such as HIV and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.
Summary
The hole left behind after a tooth has been extracted is normal and usually closes up as the healing progresses. If you notice that the hole has not filled after about 6 weeks and it causes discomfort, a trip to your dentist’s office is very essential.
She was raised in London, practiced dentistry in the UK and holds dental licensure from both the United Kingdom and the USA.
- Tooth Extraction Aftercare: Do’s and Don’ts - February 3, 2020
- How Long Does It Take The Hole To Close After Tooth Extraction? - February 2, 2020
- Tooth Filling Fell Out? Here’s What To Do Next - January 28, 2020
