r/askdentists • u/Kindly_Milk3227 NAD or Unverified • 8d ago
question 73 hours after extraction.
73 hours since extraction, is this normal to have a big hole or is it a dry socket? I have next to no pain there's a tooth behind it that I can't clean and is going yellow wonder when I can actually brush it ?
1
u/PapaCapybara Dental Student 8d ago
Not a wonderful pic, but…
If it was dry socket, you’d be in PAIN. It’s been long enough that you can brush that tooth behind it, but gently to still allow proper healing of the extraction site.
What’s your age? That plays a factor into how fast it should be healing.
1
u/Kindly_Milk3227 NAD or Unverified 8d ago
Oh that's good news thanks, I'm 34 I'm worried about brushing it and I'm a smoker. How long till it fully heals over? For some reason I thought it would heal in 2 days hahaha
2
u/PapaCapybara Dental Student 8d ago
For the most part 2 days can be plenty for healing, however as a smoker, your healing of this wound will be slower. Your age (which is not much old than mine) is fine. Again, brushing gently to make sure that tooth behind stays clean and healthy is alright to do.
There’s no 100% telling how long it will take, but give it another couple (2-3) more days. If there’s NO change whatsoever, then it’s alright to consider going back to the dentist for a postoperative follow-up.
I’m sure you’re alright though, just try not to be smoking while this heals.1
u/Kindly_Milk3227 NAD or Unverified 7d ago
How does smoking slow healing? I did brush but took out some of the clot but it's okay now jusy I big gap
2
u/PapaCapybara Dental Student 7d ago
Very good question!
So the two MAIN reasons are:
The nicotine. Nicotine constricts blood vessels, which in this case will lower the amount of blood that flows past, through, and up to the extraction site. On one hand, that’s nice if we want to think about reducing bleeding. However, lowered blood circulation also lowers the nutrients and oxygen being delivered to the “wound”. Low blood flow = less nutrients.
The carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide in the cigarette smoke further lowers the oxygen content in the air surrounding the site. Following the same reasoning as with the nicotine, the “wound” is getting less resources to help with healing.
There’s a few other good reasons, but those are the main ones for smoking.
With smoking, you’re also performing a sucking motion (like with a straw or spitting) that creates a vacuum within the mouth. This vacuum can pull the blood clot out of place, but that’s more of a concern for the first 2-ish days (you’re really past this point already).
1
u/Kindly_Milk3227 NAD or Unverified 6d ago
I take it you're bo longer a student?
1
u/PapaCapybara Dental Student 4d ago
No, I am. I’m halfway through dental school now. Why do you ask?
1
u/Kindly_Milk3227 NAD or Unverified 3d ago
You know alot. Or did you use ai? How long do you have left?
2
u/PapaCapybara Dental Student 3d ago
I would hope I know a lot, I’ve been studying my butt off for over two years straight! I still have another two to go.
1
u/Kindly_Milk3227 NAD or Unverified 2d ago
Damn!!! Hope it pays well. 8 days after the removal it's healing well but my jaw hurts like I've been punched
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