After getting a tooth removed, white tissue made of blood vessels, white blood cells, and collagen may form in the tooth socket as part of the healing process. But if you have symptoms of an infection, you may need medical care.
Tooth extraction is the most common oral surgery. Each year in the United States, more than
If you’ve recently had a tooth pulled, you may notice something white form in your tooth socket. In most cases, this white material is
If you’re also experiencing severe pain, the white material in your tooth may be a sign of a complication like an infection or dry socket. Keep reading to find out how you can tell the difference between your body’s natural healing process and other conditions.
If you aren’t experiencing severe pain two to three days after your tooth extraction, the white tissue you’re seeing likely isn’t a cause for concern. If you are experiencing pain, it may be a sign that you’ve developed an infection or dry socket.
Granulation tissue
After your tooth is extracted, your body will start its natural healing process. Your mouth heals in the same way as other parts of your body.
Within the first day of your tooth extraction, a blood clot will form in your socket to stop the bleeding. Once the clot forms, your body will start building granulation tissue to cover the wound. This tissue often appears creamy white in color and consists of collagen, white blood cells, and blood vessels.
What you should do
The formation of granulation tissue is a sign that your socket is healing properly. It shouldn’t be a cause of concern if you aren’t experiencing any other symptoms.
Surgical packing material
After removing the tooth, your dental surgeon will put gauze over the extraction site to control bleeding. It’s possible that a piece of the gauze can get stuck and leave behind a small piece of cotton.
What you should do
Unless the gauze is causing pain, you can leave it alone and eventually your body will take care of it.
Dry socket
Dry socket is the most common complication of getting a tooth extracted. About one to five percent of people who get a tooth pulled will develop dry socket. It occurs when the blood clot that forms over your tooth socket either fails to develop or falls off before your gum fully heals.
The development of dry socket can expose bone and nerves.
Symptoms of dry socket include:
- severe pain days after getting your tooth pulled
- pain that radiates from your socket to your ear, eye, or temple
- loss of blood clot
- bad breath
- unpleasant taste in your mouth
What you should do
If you think you may have dry socket, you should call your dentist or oral surgeon right away. The hallmark symptom of dry socket is severe pain several days after surgery.
Food debris
White spots in your mouth may be pieces of food debris left behind after eating. These food particles aren’t dangerous by themselves, but they do have the potential to dislodge the blood clot while your socket is healing.
What you should do
After at least 24 hours have passed from your surgery, you can rinse your mouth with a saltwater rinse to dislodge food particles. Try mixing half a teaspoon of salt with eight ounces of water.
Infection
In some cases, you may notice white or yellow pus after extraction. Pus is a sign of an infection. Other signs of an infection include:
- continued swelling past the first three days
- worsening pain
- fever
- bad taste in your mouth
- bleeding that continues for more than 24 hours
What should you do
If you think you may have an infection, you should speak with a dentist right away. They can confirm the presence of an infection and prescribe antibiotics.
If the white material you’re seeing is accompanied with pain, you should contact your dentist right away if it falls out. This condition is called dry socket. It’s the most common complication of tooth extraction.
When this material falls out, your bone and nerves become exposed. Exposed nerves cause pain that can radiate from your socket to the side of your head. Exposed bone leaves you at risk of developing an infection.
Any condition (smoking, creating a suction in your mouth, playing with the extraction area with your tongue) that results in premature removal of the blood clot formed in the socket of the tooth could lead to an increased likelihood of developing dry socket.
It’s typical to have some discomfort, swelling, and bleeding after getting a tooth pulled. If you don’t have any complications, your socket will likely heal within a few days after the procedure.
If you think you may have an infection or dry socket, you should speak with a dentist right away. The dentist can diagnose and treat the issue.
Other signs that you should see your dentist include:
- trouble swallowing or breathing
- excessive bleeding
- pus
- numbness
- blood in your mucus
- persistent bad taste even after rinsing
- severe pain not relieved by medication
- swelling that gets worse
After you get a tooth pulled, a blood clot forms over the wound. Shortly after, your body starts to produce a delicate tissue called granulation tissue to fill the hole. This tissue often appears white.
If you aren’t experiencing pain, the white material you’re seeing in your socket is likely part of your body’s natural healing process. If the white tissue is accompanied by severe pain, you may have developed a dry socket. If you think you may have dry socket, you should connect with a dentist right away.