Understanding what to expect during recovery can help alleviate concerns. This guide clarifies the visual changes that occur after a tooth extraction, helping you distinguish between normal healing and situations that might require professional attention.
Initial Appearance After Extraction
Immediately following a tooth extraction, the site typically appears dark red or purplish due to a blood clot. This clot forms in the empty socket, serving as a protective barrier and foundation for new tissue growth. Slight swelling around the extraction area is also a natural response.
Minor bleeding or oozing, appearing as a pinkish tint in saliva, is expected during the first 24 to 48 hours. The blood clot is a critical component of healing, protecting exposed bone and nerve endings while initiating tissue regeneration. Maintaining this clot is important for preventing complications.
The Healing Journey
After the initial 24 to 48 hours pass, the extraction site begins to change, marking healing progression. Around day three to five, the dark blood clot may appear grayish or whitish. This indicates the formation of granulation tissue, which is new, delicate tissue that gradually fills the socket and signifies healthy regeneration.
By the end of the first week, swelling around the extraction site should have noticeably decreased. The gum tissue may start to close around the opening, and the granulation tissue will continue to mature, slowly replacing the clot. The socket opening will appear smaller as the gum tissues begin to draw together.
Into the second week, the gum tissue continues to close over the extraction site, further reducing the opening size. The area may still appear slightly discolored compared to surrounding healthy gum, but it should move towards a natural pink. While the gum surface may appear healed, bone regeneration within the socket continues for several weeks to months.
What Normal Recovery Looks Like
A healthy recovery involves mild swelling that gradually subsides over the first few days. The gum tissue surrounding the extraction site should appear pink and healthy, without significant redness spreading into surrounding areas.
Discomfort should be manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers and decrease steadily each day. The absence of a foul odor or taste from the extraction site indicates normal healing. As the gum heals, it will progressively close over the socket, blending naturally with surrounding oral tissues.
When to Contact Your Dentist
While most tooth extractions heal without complications, certain signs indicate you should contact your dentist. Severe or increasing pain, especially if it worsens days after extraction, is a concern. Persistent, uncontrolled bleeding that soaks through gauze or lasts for several hours beyond the initial period also warrants immediate attention.
Other warning signs include fever or excessive swelling that continues to increase. Pus, a yellowish or white discharge from the extraction site, indicates infection. A persistent foul taste or odor, even after rinsing, can signal a dry socket or infection. If the blood clot dislodges prematurely, leaving exposed bone, this condition (dry socket) causes intense pain and requires professional care.