How to know if blood clot formed after tooth extraction

Tooth loss is generally something dentists want to avoid unless necessary as a last resort. However, certain cases necessitate tooth extraction, such as impacted wisdom teeth, dental trauma, infection, severe tooth decay, gum disease, or overcrowded teeth. 

After having a tooth extracted, you can expect to heal within 1-2 weeks, but this varies on a case by case basis. In this blog from Woburn Dental Associates, we’re detailing the entire healing process following an extraction so read on to learn more.

The Stages of Healing

The first 24 hours - The first 24 hours after extraction are important, as this is when a blood clot will start to form at the extraction site. Blood clots are vital to your healing and protect your bone and nerve tissue. 

Since you just underwent oral surgery, bleeding is to be expected, and possibly a little swelling. You will be given gauze to bite down on for 30 minutes right after your surgery to stop the bleeding. You may still be numb from anesthesia so refrain from eating or drinking hot liquids until this wears off. If you have been sedated, you may need to get a ride home.

24-48 hours - Swelling will peak 2-3 days following the extraction. You can use a cold compress alternating between 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off, while keeping your head elevated to reduce the swelling. Some continual bleeding is still normal but ideally, at this point, there should be blood clots in place at the extraction site. 

Make sure to regularly change your gauze every 3-4 hours or if they are becoming soaked with blood. You should dampen fresh gauze before placing them at the socket or bite into a damp caffeinated tea bag. 

Take any prescribed or over-the-counter anti-pain medication to reduce discomfort and pain. However, take something like ibuprofen instead of aspirin, as aspirin may increase bleeding.

72 hours - Your tooth's socket should be mostly healed and the bleeding should be mostly gone. Swelling will have subsided though you may still feel tender around the socket. Be careful not to dislodge your blood clot, which can lead to a dry socket. The gum tissue should be closing around the socket.

7-10 days - Unless your extraction was more complicated or involved the rear molars, you can expect this to be the final hurdle in your healing journey. The hole left behind at the socket should be mostly closed, though in some cases healing can take up to 2-3 weeks.

How to Speed up Recovery

If you notice excessive bleeding, pus, fever, or swelling that gets worse after a few days, you should contact your dentist right away. It’s important to keep your mouth clean but also take care not to dislodge your blood clots. 

These aftercare tips will reduce your risk of developing a dry socket or infection while speeding up your healing time:

• Gently swish around a saline rinse after the first 24 hours
• To dispel liquids from the mouth, lean over a sink instead of spitting
• Clean your teeth like normal but avoid the extraction site
• Eat very soft foods while healing
• Avoid chewy, sticky, or hard foods
• Chew on the opposite side of your mouth
• Rest for the first 24 hours
• Elevate your head when sleeping
• Avoid hot liquids and foods
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
• Do not suck out of a straw or spit
  

Tooth Extractions at Woburn Dental Associates

At Woburn Dental Associates, we perform tooth extractions on wisdom teeth that aren’t coming in properly or any other teeth that have become damaged or are negatively impacting your health. We also offer tooth replacement options such as dental implants or dentures. To find out more about extraction or tooth replacement, contact us at Woburn Dental Associates or schedule a consultation today.

Tooth extractions can be required for a variety of reasons. Typically, tooth extractions are performed to remove wisdom teeth. Most people don’t have enough space in their mouths for their wisdom teeth, so pulling them is advised in order to prevent teeth shifting, pain, and other problems.

Teeth may also need to be extracted if they have been seriously damaged by a traumatic injury, or in cases of advanced tooth decay or periodontal disease.

As your mouth heals from your extraction, some side effects can occur. These side effects are only temporary. They include:

• Swelling
• Minor pain
• Bleeding
• Tenderness
• Soreness

No matter what your specific reason may be, if you’re having a tooth pulled you may be wondering what to expect, and how long it will take to recover from your extraction. Here’s a few things to keep in mind during post-op care:

The First 24 Hours

During the first 24 hours after your tooth has been pulled, several things will happen. Blood clots will begin to form, and the sutures in your mouth will help the tissue begin to heal.

You will likely experience some minor pain and bleeding during the first 24 hours of your recovery process. Typically, you’ll be given a prescription for a pain reliever to aid you through this process.

Usually, you’ll be able to return to non-strenuous activities, such as driving and working an office job, within a day of the surgery. However, athletic activities may be limited, and workers in active positions may need to take extra time off.

Swelling also tends to peak at around 24 hours post-surgery. This can be treated with ice packs applied externally to the face, and should subside rather quickly. If pain and bleeding continue and persist for 2-3 days, see your dentist to ensure there are no complications with your procedure.

1-2 Days Post Extraction

The first two days after your extraction require the most care, as this is when your mouth is doing a majority of its healing. It's perfectly normal to experience a low level amount of bleeding and some soreness at the extraction site. Since these two days are crucial to your extraction recovery, we suggest:

• Getting plenty of rest: Expect to rest for at least the first 24 hours post-extraction.
• Change gauze: Make sure to leave the first gauze in for a few hours to let the blood clot form. After that, you can change your gauze as often as necessary.
• Take pain medication: Your doctor may prescribe you more powerful pain medication for larger extractions (like molars or wisdom teeth) depending on your medical history. However in some cases, over-the-counter pain relievers are enough to help with any discomfort.
• Avoid smoking or drinking through straws: The suction needed to puff on a cigarette or drink through a straw creates pressure in the mouth that can cause complications with your blood clot. It's crucial to avoid both of these for the first few days of your healing process.
• Elevate the head: When sleeping or resting, use additional pillows to prop your head up and avoid the pooling of blood in the mouth which can prolong healing time.

3 Days Post Extraction

After about 3 days, the empty tooth socket will have mostly healed. There should be no more bleeding present, and swelling should be minimal at this point. You may still experience some tenderness or soreness, but you should no longer feel pain or discomfort. During this stage of the healing process it is important to keep the clot in place, which requires additional hygiene procedures including:

• Saline rinses: Gently rinse your mouth with a saline solution or warm water with salt. This will help prevent bacteria from growing in the area and prevent infection from occurring.
• Brush and floss: You may start to brush and floss your teeth as usual, but make sure to avoid the extraction site. The saline rinse or salt water will take care of cleaning the extraction area.
• Eating soft foods: You should plan to eat soft foods throughout the healing process to avoid food getting trapped in the socket. Popular food choices include soups, yogurt, or applesauce.

1 Week Post Extraction

After about 7-10 days, your clot should be fully formed and in place. If you had stitches placed, they will be removed if they were non-dissolving. If they were dissolving stitches, they’ll disappear on their own. If pain or bleeding are occurring during this stage of the healing process, contact your dentist to see if you need to come in for a follow up appointment.

2 Weeks Post Extraction

After about 14 days, the sockets will be almost completely healed. However, the tissue is highly vascular and tender at the extraction site. Do not brush this tissue too much, and avoid chewing too much food near the extraction site. While your socket is almost healed, there is still the chance of getting an infection or rupturing the new layer of gum tissue.

3+ Weeks Post Extraction

After 3-4 weeks, the process of healing is essentially complete. You may still feel a bit of tenderness at the site of your extraction, but this should not cause significant pain or bleeding.

At this point, you simply have to be careful not to let food or debris build up in your empty socket, so you should be brushing and flossing properly, and irrigating the socket to remove debris, if instructed to do so.

Know What To Expect And Follow All Instructions Given To You

The above timeline is just an overview. Depending on your oral health, the specifics of your recovery may differ. So, after you come to the office of Dr. Priti Naik for a tooth extraction, simply make sure that you follow all of her recovery instructions, and you’ll be completely healed in just a few weeks.

Do you think you may need tooth extractions in Vienna? Contact us now for an appointment at (703) 288-1800, or come by our office at 8230 Boone Blvd, #320, Vienna, VA 22182 to get the dental care that you need in Vienna, Tysons Corner and Mclean.

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