What to do if you have severe pain after a tooth extraction

August 30, 2020 11:15 am Published by admin

Having a tooth extraction is more common than you might think. An estimated 69% of Americans, for example, have lost at least one adult tooth. This can be through having an accident, tooth decay caused by diet or poor dental hygiene, or simply because of having too many teeth. Whatever the reason – it’s a possibility that you could experience severe pain after the tooth is extracted.

What causes the pain after tooth extraction?

The most common cause of severe tooth pain after an extraction is a condition called dry socket. This happens when the healing process is interrupted. When a tooth is taken out, a blood clot forms. This makes a natural protective layer that helps gums and soft tissue build back up. Dry socket starts when that blood clot becomes loose, falls out, or just doesn’t form at all. This exposes the nerve ends and bone socket, which is all extremely sensitive. The resultant pain can either feel like a throbbing toothache or a radiating pain along the jaw.

If you have dry socket then you may also experience a bad taste in the mouth, or bad breath. It is really not pleasant! However, the dentist will do their best to make sure this doesn’t happen in the first place. They will use a gauze pad to help the blood clot form and stabilise after the extraction. It’s important not to disturb this dressing, so it’s recommended to avoid vigorous exercise for a few days.

When does dry socket happen?

Dry socket usually happens between one to three days after the surgery, though it can sometimes be a little longer. If left untreated, the area can become inflamed and food debris may gather, causing more pain and discomfort.

Other causes of tooth pain

There are other, less likely causes of severe tooth pain. It could be that you have an infection, in which case you might have discharge from the tooth extraction area, or you may have a high temperature or fever. Be careful if you think the area is swollen, because this is to be expected after surgery – however, like the pain, this should decrease in the days after the procedure. If it does not ease off, then you should contact your dentist.

Do I have it?

After tooth extraction, everyone heals at different speeds. This means it can be hard to anticipate what is normal, and what is abnormal or severe tooth pain. Usually, the dentist will recommend ‘over the counter’ or prescription medication as teeth pain treatment, in order to help once the local or sedation anesthetic wears off. The teeth pain treatment depends on how complex the procedure was.

Unfortunately, a dry socket has a higher chance of developing if you are a smoker. So, it’s one of many reasons to try and quit! While a tooth extraction is likely to be a bit uncomfortable for a few days, it should not get
worse.

If you are having any problems with pain management at any time, or the pain is the same or worse after several days, then you should see your dentist immediately for advice and help.

Help at home

You can also take some actions to relieve pain at home. An ice pack can help numb the area, and reduce swelling. It’s a good idea to rest as much as possible – maybe even taking a day off to relax. Rinsing your mouth with saltwater from the day after your surgery can also help avoid infection.

Make sure it is a glass of warm water (not seawater!) with one teaspoon of salt, and only do it carefully once a day. Avoid hard foods for a while too. The best dentist in Dubai will be able to make suggestions that are best suited to your particular case, so do ask before you leave the surgery.

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