Getting a tooth extraction is a common procedure for millions of people every year in the United States. Whether it’s a preventative wisdom tooth extraction or damaged tooth removal, many people get their teeth pulled. So if you’ve recently had a tooth extraction, you might have noticed some white stuff in your tooth extraction site. If you’re wondering what that is, this post is for you.
This post will explain what the white stuff can be and whether it’s always a good sign. Next, we’ll discuss some circumstances where it can be a sign of complications. Finally, we’ll tell you how you can tell the difference between the two.
Explaining The White Stuff In Your Tooth Extraction Site
So you’re healing from a recent tooth extraction procedure. If everything goes well, your body will begin repairing the damaged tissue in your mouth. This happens gradually and takes place over a couple of stages.
Within the first 24 hours after your extraction, a blood clot begins to form over the extraction site. This blood clot is a good sign, as it means that your body is covering the wound to begin the healing process.
Over time, you’ll begin to see a white substance in and around the socket. At this point, it’s important to note that if you’re recovering properly and not experiencing severe pain, this is perfectly normal. It’s a special kind of tissue that helps the healing process, and it’s called granulation tissue.
What Is Granulation Tissue?
Granulation tissue is a special matrix of cells that appear when the body is healing itself. It is rich with capillaries, red blood cells, collagen fibers, and white blood cells. The collagen fibers form connective tissue that will cover the wound as it heals, while the red blood cells supply oxygen to the newly-formed, healthy tissue. Meanwhile, the white blood cells consume old tissue and stay on the lookout for infection.
Healthy granulation tissue stays for a while until mature scar tissue can form to cover the wound and complete the healing process. But it’s important to look out for some signs that your wound may not be healing properly.
When Is The White Stuff In My Tooth Extraction Site A Bad Thing?
Sometimes, the white stuff may not be a sign of healing. The biggest sign of this is if the area hurts at all.
Normal, healthy granulation tissue is painless. To sum it up, if you experience any of the following signs, you might want to have a dentist take a second look at your extraction site:
- Bleeding. This suggests that the blood clot has become dislodged, interfering with the healing process.
- Pain. While a little bit of soreness is normal and should subside within a few days, worsening pain might signify complications or infection. Excruciating pain is a sign of a dry socket and must be addressed immediately by a dentist.
- Pus. That white stuff in your tooth extraction site might be pus, and it’s a clear sign that you have an infection. How do you tell the difference? Watch out for an unpleasant taste in your mouth, swelling, pain, and inflammation.
- Swelling. If it doesn’t subside in a few days, you might have an infection.
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your dentist immediately to have your tooth extraction site examined.
Conclusion
Normally, the white stuff in your tooth extraction site is a sign of a healthy body healing correctly. But if you notice any of the signs we talked about above, it’s a great idea to get in touch with a qualified dentist as soon as possible.
At A+ Star Smile Dental, we offer personalized treatment for each patient, with our promise of dedication to excellence. See why we’re the best dentist in Houston, TX! Please feel free to give us a call at (713) 984-4934, and we’ll be happy to help answer any questions or schedule you for an appointment.