Having wisdom teeth extracted is an experience that is both familiar and slightly terrifying for many people. When dentists suggest extracting wisdom teeth, many people will obediently cooperate. However, after the tooth extraction surgery is completed, the soreness that occurs in the gums is extremely distressing. Why do my gums still keep aching even though my teeth have been pulled out? Where on earth does this soreness come from? And how should it be alleviated and dealt with? Where does it come next? And how should it be alleviated and dealt with? Next, let’s delve into the causes and solutions of gum pain after wisdom tooth extraction.
The Particularity of Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Before understanding the causes of gum soreness, we need to first understand the differences between wisdom tooth extraction surgery and ordinary tooth extraction. Wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, usually start to emerge around the age of 18 to 25. Due to their relatively backward growth position and late emergence, they often face the problem of insufficient space, leading to impaction and misalignment of wisdom teeth.
Impacted wisdom teeth are the most common condition in clinical practice. They may partially erupt or be completely hidden within the alveolar bone. When wisdom teeth become impacted, the surrounding gingival tissue forms a blind pocket. Food debris and bacteria tend to accumulate in this blind pocket, making it difficult to clean. This can lead to pericoronitis of wisdom teeth, presenting symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain, and bleeding of the gums. Misaligned wisdom teeth not only may affect the health of adjacent teeth but also disrupt the occlusal relationship of the entire oral cavity.
It is precisely because of these special circumstances of wisdom teeth that the operation of extracting wisdom teeth is often more complicated than extracting other teeth. Doctors not only need to cut open the gums but may also have to remove some of the alveolar bone, dividing the wisdom teeth into small pieces and taking them out one by one. This series of operations can cause significant trauma to the gums and alveolar bone.
Direct Causes of Gum Soreness
(1) Tissue trauma and inflammatory response
During the process of extracting wisdom teeth, the gum tissue is inevitably damaged. When the scalpel cuts through the gums or during the process of separating the gums from the teeth, the fibrous tissue and blood vessels of the gums are cut off, which leads to local tissue trauma. When the body is confronted with such trauma, it will activate its self-repair mechanism and trigger an inflammatory response.
The inflammatory response is a normal physiological process by which the body fights against damage and infection. When the gum tissue is damaged, white blood cells in the blood will rapidly gather at the injured site and release various inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandins, interleukins, etc. These inflammatory mediators can cause local blood vessels to dilate and increase permeability, leading to the leakage of fluids and proteins in the blood into the interstitial Spaces and causing gum swelling. Swollen gums can press on the surrounding nerve endings, thereby causing a soreness. Meanwhile, inflammatory mediators will directly stimulate nerve endings, increasing their sensitivity and further aggravating the pain.
(2) The existence of the tooth extraction wound
After wisdom teeth are extracted, a relatively large wound will be left, and this wound can also cause gum soreness during the healing process. A blood clot will form on the surface of the wound, which is the basis for wound healing. However, blood clots are not stable. If a blood clot is accidentally damaged after tooth extraction, it will lead to the exposure of the wound and cause dry socket syndrome. Dry socket syndrome is a relatively serious complication after tooth extraction. Patients will experience severe pain at the extraction site, and the pain will radiate to the temporal region of the ear, the submandibular area or the top of the head. At the same time, they may have bad breath, local lymph node enlargement and other symptoms. Even if dry socket does not occur, during the healing process of the tooth extraction wound, the growth of new granulation tissue and the contraction of the wound can stimulate the surrounding nerves, causing a sensation of soreness.
(3) The influence of adjacent teeth and periodontal tissues
Wisdom teeth are closely adjacent to adjacent teeth. During the process of extracting wisdom teeth, the adjacent teeth and their periodontal tissues may be affected to a certain extent. During surgical operations, forces such as squeezing and pulling may cause damage to the periodontal ligament of adjacent teeth, leading to periodontal ligament edema. The periodontal ligament is rich in nerve fibers. When it becomes swollen, it will cause a sore and uncomfortable feeling. In addition, if wisdom teeth persist for a long time and cause certain pressure or damage to adjacent teeth, after they are extracted, the force on the adjacent teeth changes, which may also lead to temporary soreness.
(4) Oral hygiene issues
After tooth extraction, due to the pain from the wound, many people dare not brush their teeth and rinse their mouths normally, resulting in poor oral hygiene. Food residues tend to accumulate around the tooth extraction wound, providing a favorable environment for bacterial growth. When bacteria multiply in large numbers, they will produce toxins, irritate the gum tissue, aggravate the inflammatory response, and thus intensify the symptoms of gum soreness. Moreover, bacterial infections may also lead to delayed wound healing and even cause more serious complications.
Influencing Factors of Gum Soreness
(1) Individual differences
Different people have different levels of perception and tolerance to pain, which is individual difference. Some people may be more sensitive to pain. Even mild gum soreness can be unbearable. Some people, on the other hand, have a stronger tolerance for pain and can deal with gum soreness after tooth extraction relatively easily. In addition, an individual’s physical condition can also affect the degree and duration of gum soreness. For instance, people with lower immunity are more prone to infection after tooth extraction, which can aggravate the symptoms of gum pain and prolong the healing time.
(2) The growth condition of wisdom teeth
As mentioned earlier, the degree of obstruction and growth direction of wisdom teeth can affect the complexity of tooth extraction surgery, and thereby influence the degree of gum pain. If wisdom teeth are completely impacted and protruding, a larger gingival incision needs to be made and a considerable amount of alveolar bone removed before they can be extracted. As a result, the postoperative gingival damage will be more severe, the soreness will be more intense, and the duration will be longer. However, if wisdom teeth emerge normally, their extraction is relatively simple, the damage to the gums is less, and the soreness will also be relatively mild.
(3) Surgical operations
The surgical operation skills and experience of doctors also have a significant impact on gum soreness after tooth extraction. Experienced and highly skilled doctors can perform surgical operations more precisely, minimizing unnecessary damage to the gums and alveolar bone, thereby reducing the degree of postoperative gum soreness and the risk of complications. On the contrary, if the surgical operation is improper, such as over-pulling the gums or roughly extracting the teeth, it will lead to aggravated damage to the gums and alveolar bone, making gum soreness more obvious.
Methods to Relieve Gum soreness
(1) Cold and hot compresses after the operation
Within 24 hours after tooth extraction, cold compresses can be used to relieve gum soreness. Cold compresses can cause local blood vessels to concontract, reduce blood leakage, alleviate gum swelling, and thereby relieve pain. You can use ice packs or cold towels. Apply cold compresses for 15 to 20 minutes each time, and repeat every 1 to 2 hours. Twenty-four hours after tooth extraction, you can switch to hot compress. Hot compress can promote local blood circulation, accelerate the absorption of inflammation, and help relieve gum soreness. You can use a hot towel or hot water bag. The temperature should not be too high. Apply heat for 15 to 20 minutes each time, 3 to 4 times a day.
(2) Rational drug use
If the gum pain is severe, you can take some pain-relieving drugs under the guidance of a doctor, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. These drugs can inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins in the body, thereby alleviating pain and inflammatory responses. At the same time, if there is a risk of infection, doctors may prescribe antibiotics to prevent or control the infection and promote wound healing. However, it should be noted that drugs must be used under the guidance of a doctor, strictly in accordance with the dosage and course of treatment prescribed by the doctor, to avoid adverse reactions caused by self-medication.
(3) Maintain oral hygiene
Maintaining good oral hygiene after tooth extraction is of vital importance. Do not brush your teeth or rinse your mouth within 24 hours after tooth extraction to avoid disrupting the blood clot. After 24 hours, you can start gently rinsing your mouth with warm salt water or special mouthwash 4 to 6 times a day to remove food residues and bacteria in your mouth and keep it clean. When brushing your teeth, choose a soft-bristled toothbrush and do it gently to avoid touching the extraction site.
(4) Dietary adjustment
The diet after tooth extraction can also affect the recovery from gum pain. Within 1 to 2 days after tooth extraction, one should choose liquid or semi-liquid foods such as milk, porridge, and noodles. It is advisable to avoid spicy, irritating foods, as well as hard or hot foods, to prevent irritation to the extraction site and aggravation of pain. As the wound gradually heals, one can gradually transition to a normal diet, but it is still necessary to avoid over-chewing the food on the side where the tooth was extracted.
The Recovery Process of Gum Soreness
Generally speaking, gum soreness after wisdom tooth extraction will gradually ease within 1 to 2 weeks. In the first three days after tooth extraction, gum soreness and swelling are most obvious, which is the peak period of the inflammatory response. Three days later, the inflammation gradually begins to subside, the swelling of the gums lessens, and the soreness will also be relieved. Within 1 to 2 weeks, the blood clot in the tooth extraction site gradually organizes, forming granulation tissue, and the gingival tissue is also constantly repairing. About 1 to 3 months later, the tooth extraction wound has basically healed and the soreness in the gums has completely disappeared. However, if abnormal conditions such as increased gum pain, fever, and continuous bleeding occur during the recovery process, medical attention should be sought promptly for further examination and treatment.
Conclusion:
Gum soreness after wisdom tooth extraction is the result of the combined effect of multiple factors. Understanding these reasons and taking the correct relief methods and care measures can help us better cope with the discomfort after tooth extraction and promote the smooth healing of the wound. If you still have any questions about gum pain after tooth extraction, be sure to consult a professional dentist in time to obtain accurate guidance and advice.
Related topics:
Are there any benefits to having wisdom teeth?
What to do if wisdom teeth grow
