tooth extraction normal healing time

madammim_2

I had a tooth out 2 weeks ago and I though the hole would be healing better by now. I ate only soup for the first 2 days, moving up to scambled egg and soft fish in sauce for the rest of week one. still eating nothing that makes crumbs but some soft food gets in the hole which I'm washing out with salt water after meals. There is no pain but it still looks like a raw wound and is still deep. How long would it normally take to heal up or should I go back and get the dentist to look. Im scared to go in case they decide to poke around in it and upset it if its doing fine and just takes more time.

brook2jack

6 weeks for gum to heal, 6 months for bone to finish healing. Go back to your dentist if you're worried.

Toothsmith

What instructions did your dentist give you on diet afterwards?

Was it really to be as careful as you are being?

madammim_2

other than avoiding alchohol and hot drinks for the first 24 hours I wasnt given any advice about diet but Im just worried about getting anything trapped in the hole which might cause pain or infection so have been careful

Toothsmith

I usually tell my patients to eat pretty much as normal after an hour or two.

I think you should clarify that with your own dentist. There isn't really any need to be quite as careful as you are being.

Pennylane

You're not a smoker are you? You shouldn't smoke for several days after having a tooth extracted or you could end up with a "dry socket" which is very painful.

madammim_2

thankyou for all your replies. Over the weekend I began to eat a bit more 'normally' now, although the knock-on effect of quitting bread and rubbishy snacks since the extraction has been a 6.5lb weightloss and feeling better generally so may not go back on those foods again . & No, I dont smoke. And the hole is not quite so deep now but still Im still squeemish when food gets in there ew

Sharon87

I had my 2 bottom teeth late summer last year, took months before food stopped getting trapped in holes. You have to keep checking to make sure no food is stuck there or if you feel it otherwise your breath will stink as the food rots. I had this once, where a tiny bit of cracker got caught I didn't realise and the wound was swollen, I had to try and extract the cracker! Wasn't pleasant

Sorry if that's scared you, but just so you know you have to be careful with food for a few months, eat normally, just make sure no food is trapped, usually you can feel it, sometimes not.

pollypenny

I had a tooth out last Monday, with the broken root having to be dug out.

I've just started eating apples again, although I keep off the side. I'm wondering whether I should carry on with salt rinses.

So glad to have had the extraction, though. I had pains and aches in in face for months.