Surrounding Teeth Hurt After Tooth Extraction: Causes and Remedies
Tooth extraction is a medical process that involves removing a tooth from its socket in the jawbone. It is done when a tooth is damaged or infected. While tooth extraction is generally safe, you may experience surrounding teeth hurt after tooth extraction.
Sometimes, pain can be more than usual or last longer than expected. The following blog will explain what to expect during and after a tooth extraction, how long the pain may last, and how to relieve it.
Reasons You Might Need a Tooth Extraction
Here are some of the most common reasons you might need a tooth extraction:
Impacted Tooth
An impacted tooth does not erupt fully into the mouth. It is usually trapped under the gum or bone. Impacted teeth can cause damage to neighbouring teeth or tumours. Therefore, they are often removed surgically.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is a typical dental issue that occurs when bacteria in plaque produce acids that erode the tooth’s enamel. It can cause cavities, resulting in pain, infection, and abscesses. Filling may not save the tooth, and extraction may be vital.
Gum Disease
It is a typical dental issue that occurs when bacteria in plaque infect and inflame the gums. It can cause gingivitis, swelling, and bleeding of the gums. Scaling and root planing may not be enough to save the teeth, and extraction may be necessary.
Overcrowding
It is a dental problem when there is not enough space in the jaw for all the teeth to fit correctly. It can cause the teeth to become crooked and crowded. Overcrowding can affect the appearance and health of the teeth. Some teeth may need to be extracted to create more space for the remaining teeth.
Injury
It is a possible cause of tooth extraction. It occurs when a tooth is damaged by trauma, causing it to crack. Injury can affect the appearance, function, and health of the tooth. Repairing the tooth may not save it, and extraction may be necessary.
What to Expect During an Extraction?
Tooth extraction is done under local anaesthesia, which numbs the area around the tooth. You may feel some pressure or pulling, but you should not feel any pain. Depending on the type and location of the tooth, the dentist may need to cut the gum tissue or bone around the tooth.
To halt the bleeding after the tooth is extracted, the dentist will place a gauze pad over the socket and instruct you to bite down on it. Additionally, you could need sutures to seal the wound and hasten its recovery.
After Wisdom Tooth Removal?
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars that erupt in the back of the mouth. Sometimes, they need more room to grow properly and become impacted. Therefore, they are often removed surgically.
Wisdom tooth removal is more complex than regular tooth extraction and may require general sedation. The recovery time is also longer and may involve more swelling, bruising, and pain.
Here are some things to expect after wisdom tooth removal:
- You will need someone to drive you home after the surgery, as you may be drowsy from the anaesthesia or sedation.
- You may have some pain in your mouth and jaw.
- Some bleeding is normal after tooth extraction, especially wisdom tooth removal.
- Swelling is an inflammatory response after tooth extraction.
- Pain is a common symptom after tooth extraction. It usually peaks within 24 hours and then gradually decreases over a week.
Things Causing More Than Ordinary Pain After Tooth Extraction
Sometimes, tooth extraction can cause more than ordinary pain that lasts longer than expected. It may indicate an infection that needs immediate attention.
Here are some causes of excessive pain after tooth extraction:
- Infection before extraction
- Infection after extraction
- Dry socket
- Tearing in the gums
- Pressure on neighbouring teeth
How Long Does Tooth Extraction Pain Last?
Tooth extraction pain differs for everyone and depends on several factors, such as the tooth type and location.
However, you can generally expect the following timeline for tooth extraction pain:
- You may have bleeding, swelling, and pain in your mouth and jaw within 24 hours.
- Your bleeding should stop or become minimal within 2-3 days.
- Your bleeding should stop completely within a week.
- Your extraction site should start to heal and close up after a week.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare You Can Do at Home
Tooth extraction aftercare is essential for healing and preventing complications after tooth extraction.
Here are some things you can do at home after tooth extraction:
Ask Someone to Drive You Home After the Extraction
You may be dizzy or drowsy from the anaesthesia after the extraction. Therefore, you should not drive yourself home after the extraction. Ask someone to go home and stay with you for a few hours until you recover.
Take Painkillers
You may have pain in your mouth and jaw after the extraction. It is expected as your body reacts to the surgery and starts to heal. Your dentist will prescribe some painkillers to help you cope with the pain. Take them as your dentist directs.
Take It Easy
You may feel tired or weak after the extraction. Therefore, take it easy for a few days after the extraction. Avoid strenuous activities, such as exercise, that can increase blood pressure and bleeding.
Eat and Drink Carefully
You may have difficulty eating and drinking after the extraction. Therefore, you should eat and drink carefully for a few days after the extraction. Eat soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow.
Sleep With Your Head Propped Up
After the extraction, you may have bleeding and pain in your mouth. It can worsen when lying flat, as gravity can increase blood pressure. Therefore, you should sleep with your head propped up on a few pillows for a few days after the extraction.
Rest on the Day of the Extraction
You may feel tired after the extraction. It is typical and expected, as your body uses energy to heal the wound. Therefore, you should rest on the extraction day and avoid physical activities that can increase blood pressure.
Is There a Risk of Infection From a Tooth Extraction?
There is a risk of infection from any surgical procedure, including tooth extraction. Infection can occur when bacteria enter the wound and multiply in the socket. Infection can cause pain, swelling, and other complications.
To prevent infection from tooth extraction, you should:
- Take antibiotics as prescribed by your dentist to prevent disease.
- Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, or doing anything that can dislodge the blood clot.
- Rinse your mouth gently with hot salt water after 24 hours
- Contact your dentist if you have symptoms of infection after extraction.
When Should You Call a Dentist?
You should call your dentist if you have any problems after tooth extraction:
- Your bite feels uneven or uncomfortable.
- Your teeth look crooked or crowded.
- Your teeth interfere with your speech or chewing.
- Your teeth cause pain or sensitivity when you eat or drink hot, cold, spicy, acidic, or hard foods or drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long do surrounding teeth hurt after tooth extraction?
Surrounding teeth hurt after tooth extraction for several reasons. They may shift slightly to fill in the gap left by the missing tooth. It can cause changes in your bite and alignment, leading to pain and sensitivity.
Surrounding teeth usually adapt to the new situation within a few weeks. However, sometimes the pain can be more than usual or last longer than expected.
How long does the hole close after a tooth extraction take?
The hole left after tooth extraction is filled with a blood clot that protects the bone and nerve endings. It usually closes up within a few weeks or months, depending on the size and location of the tooth and your healing ability.
You should protect the hole or socket and avoid anything that can prematurely dislodge or dissolve the blood clot. Do not smoke or do anything that can create pressure.
Can tooth extraction damage surrounding teeth?
Tooth extraction can damage surrounding teeth in some cases. It can happen if the extraction is complex and requires cutting the tooth into pieces to remove it. Tooth extraction can cause pressure on the surrounding teeth as they shift slightly to fill in the gap left by the missing tooth.
What happens to surrounding teeth after extraction?
Surrounding teeth get affected after tooth extraction in several ways. They are affected by the pressure from the extraction site. They may also shift slightly to fill in the gap left by the missing tooth. It can cause changes in your alignment.
Surrounding teeth usually adapt to the new situation within a few weeks. However, sometimes the shifting can be excessive or undesirable.
Conclusion
While tooth extraction is generally safe and effective, you may experience surrounding teeth hurt after tooth extraction. Tooth extraction aftercare is essential for healing and preventing complications after tooth extraction.
Following your dentist’s instructions and taking good care of your mouth after tooth extraction, you can recover faster and smoother.
