3 Causes of Throbbing Pain After Tooth Extraction
                     3 CAUSES
OF THROBBING PAIN
Aft er  Tooth Extracti on 
Tooth extractions aren’t known for being 
particularly comfortable, unfortunately. 
Dentists do their best to prevent pain 
during the procedure by using anesthesia. 
The discomfort you feel after the 
medicine wears off is still better than 
the pain of an infected tooth. 
If throbbing pain occurs after your 
extraction, then it could be from one 
of these 3 common causes.
Check for Signs 
of Normal 
Healing Pain
Your body has special pain 
receptors that respond when 
they detect damage or trauma. 
A tooth extraction involves 
irritating your gums 
and the underlying bone. 
Although your dentist is careful 
to avoid causing unnecessary 
trauma, your body recognizes 
this as an injury.
Normal healing pain typically 
becomes noticeable after the 
oral anesthetic wears off.
It tends to worsen over the next 
several hours. 
After peaking sometime within 
the first 24 hours, you’ll notice 
it gradually improving. 
Most people feel mostly pain-free 
by the third or fourth day. 
Some swelling and soreness 
can continue throughout 
the first week.
Throbbing pain during the first 
24 hours after your extraction 
is likely just a sign that your 
body is healing. 
The pain should respond well 
to any over-the-counter 
or prescription medications 
you take. 
It may also decrease 
with basic self-care. 
Applying a cold pack to the 
outside of your cheek can help 
soothe the inflammation 
that causes pain.
Watch Out 
for Dry Socket
Removing a tooth leaves 
a small hole in your gums. 
A blood clot fills this hole 
and protects the underlying 
bone and nerves. 
Sometimes, a clot fails 
to form properly. 
One can also be lost before 
the tissue has a chance to fill 
in the hole. 
Dry socket responds well 
to cleaning out the area 
so that no food debris remains. 
We can also pack it with 
medicated gauze to encourage 
healing and protect the 
underlying bone and nerve.
Some people develop dry socket 
without any obvious reason why. 
You can do your best to prevent 
it by avoiding things that could 
dislodge the clot, such as smoking, 
or drinking from a straw.
Treat 
Painful 
Infections
Bacteria can sometimes invade 
the extraction site. 
You are more likely to develop 
an infection if you have gum disease. 
Throbbing pain isn’t the only 
symptom that you’ll likely notice 
with an infection. 
Swelling might increase during the 
time when it should be going down. 
You could also have a fever 
or see pus coming from the area. 
Infections may be treated with 
topical or oral antibiotics.
Usually, you’ll notice relief 
within a day or two after 
starting treatment.
Following our aftercare 
recommendations is the best way 
to avoid throbbing pain. 
If you experience pain that 
doesn’t respond to medicine, 
then give us a call.
We can treat dry socket 
and infections so that you can get 
back on track with your healing.
Noble Dental Care is a family-oriented 
dental care clinic. 
Dr. Scott and his staff care about you 
and your health.
Give us the opportunity to give 
you the smile of your dreams. 
Call us for an appointment 
at (480) 820-3515.