Tooth extraction is a crucial dental procedure. A dentist needs to extract teeth to treat various dental issues, but often patients quiver with the name of dental extraction. This is because it’s easy to associate the procedure with pain and discomfort. And while the dentist manages the pain during the treatment with anesthesia, some patients can experience sore gums afterwards for many different reasons.
In fact, a few patients have sore gums that interfere with their day-to-day life after tooth extraction. Here it’s important to understand the nature of the discomfort you are feeling.
If there’s slight sensation and little pain, that’s usually quite normal as the extraction site heals. However, if there’s throbbing pain, this is the blog for you. In the forthcoming sections, we are going to discuss the causes and remedies for sore gums following tooth extraction.
Sore Gums After Tooth Extraction
Many patients experience sore gums from tooth extraction, and it’s perfectly normal. It’s part of our body’s normal healing process. What happens is when a dentist removes the tooth, it leaves an open wound. To fix this wound, our body sends blood in that area to heal and repair.
This sudden flow of blood causes swelling and soreness. It may also lead to pain and discomfort because of pressure and the formation of new tissues.
However, remember that swollen or sore gums after tooth extraction are considered normal only if they last 2 or 3 weeks post-procedure. Experiencing severe pain beyond that can be concerning.
What Causes Sore Gums and Pain After Tooth Extraction?
We know that having swollen or sore gums with little pain is normal as it is a part of our body’s healing process. Apart from that, there are some other reasons too that cause sore gums after tooth removal:
1. Sinus Perforation
Experiencing throbbing pain after tooth extraction, but not dry socket? There’s a high chance of your sinus getting damaged. It is located on the upper molars, and separated by the teeth by a very thin lining. This is why when the dentist extracts one of the upper molars, the sinus may react which gives rise to pain.
2. ONJ
Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) is a rare but serious condition in which the bone cells in the jawbone die. This oral issue may occur after a dental procedure like surgery or an extraction. What happens is after the extraction if the gum tissue doesn’t heal it exposes the jawbone. Pain is one of the common symptoms of ONJ.
3. A Dry Socket
It is another oral condition that occurs after the extraction, but it’s not very rare. If your gum hurts where a tooth was removed years ago, then it can be the result of a dry socket.
It occurs when a blood clot forms to fill the gap, which sometimes dislodges and exposes the bone. This leads to pain, and that’s why dentists advice patients to avoid carbonated drinks as it can dislodge the blood clot.
4. Tissue Irritation
During the extraction process, the reckless use of tools by the dentist can cause damage to the surrounding gums and tissue. This may irritate the tissue which can give rise to swelling and pain. That’s why you must choose the best dentist in Patna for your treatment.
Additionally, there are also some remedies for relieving pain after the extraction. However, it’s worth noting that any treatment plan should first be approved by a qualified dentist.
How to Relieve Sore Gums Pain after Tooth Extraction?
Living with pain and discomfort after a tooth extraction is not easy. It may interfere with your day-to-day life, causing numerous difficulties. So, here are some relief tips to deal with it:
1. Reduce the Swelling with Ice
We have discussed in a previous section that swelling is one of the common causes of pain from sore gums after extraction. It happens because of the increased blood flow in that area.
To limit the blood flow, one can apply ice packs to the cheek above the pain site. It constricts the blood vessels and reduces the blood flow and swelling.
2. Pain Medications
Those who are wondering how to relieve gum pain after tooth extraction can also consider Over-The-Counter (OTC) pain medication.
It is one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain after any dental treatment. This is why sometimes dentists themselves prescribe some oral pain relievers to the patients.
3. Prevent the Socket from Drying
To prevent sockets from drying, one needs to take care of a few things. Firstly, the patient should focus on keeping the gauze in place, which helps to stop bleeding and promote healing.
That’s why aggressive rinsing after the extraction is not advisable. One can consume soft liquid food as that can help prevent the socket from drying.
4. Rinse with Warm Salt Water
If your surrounding teeth hurt after tooth extraction and you want a home remedy to fix it, rinsing with salt water can be helpful.
People have been using this remedy for years to get rid of oral discomfort. It is an anti-inflammatory technique that reduces the chance of infection and alleviates pain. However, we strongly suggest asking your dentist before using these DIY measures as every dental issue requires a different line of treatment.
5. Massage Your Jaw
Massaging is another ancient method to deal with physical pain and discomfort. While it is not effective in dealing with gum swelling, this method can help to fight myofascial pain. This pain occurs when the extraction procedure requires the mouth to remain open for a long time. Gently massaging the jaw with 2 fingers in circular motion can reduce the pain.
Along with following these activities, you must avoid activities that demand rigorous sucking motion, such as smoking or drinking beverages with a straw.
Remember, don’t try to dive back into your day-to-day routine just after the procedure as it may cause problems. Give your body the needed time to heal and recover.
How Long Do Sore Gums Take to Heal After Tooth Extraction?
After the extraction, the blood clot will fill the hole within 24 hours. However, the soreness may be still there as the healing process is not complete yet.
By the 7th day, new tissue will start forming to close the hole. After 14 to 21 days, the hole will be completely closed, and your gums will also heal. By this time, your soreness should be gone, though some of the healing process may still be ongoing. So, we can say that 2 or 3 weeks is enough time for the sore gums to heal after the extraction.
Those who experience gum swelling 2 weeks after tooth extraction sometimes choose to wait for at least one more week before taking any further action. But if there’s severe pain and interference with eating, it’s best to get in touch with your dentist and discuss your concerns in detail.
Free Yourself from Dental Discomfort!
Experiencing sore gums after a tooth extraction is common and perfectly normal. It’s a sign that the healing process has begun. However, the swelling and soreness also come with pain that leads to discomfort. This is why in this blog we have discussed the causes of pain from sore gums after teeth extraction along with swollen gums after tooth extraction remedy.
Usually, the sore gums don’t last for more than 2 or 3 weeks after the extraction. But, if it lasts longer than that, you need to consult the best dentist and the top dental surgeon in Patna, Dr. Aishwarya Roy. She is a highly experienced dental expert who has been working in this field for more than a decade.
Dr. Aishwarya has till now helped numerous people with severe dental issues who had lost all hope. So, if you are feeling soreness, pain, swelling, or any discomfort even 3 weeks after the extraction, visit her clinic at the Boring Patliputra Road, opposite CISF, Patna. You can also book an online appointment with her on the official website for a scheduled consultation.
