Tooth extraction is a process that traumatizes the gums. After healing a diseased tooth, nerves, ligaments and small blood vessels are torn, which causes bleeding. This is a natural process - the blood does not allow pathogenic organisms to enter the circulatory system, washing them out. And then, curled up, it forms a barrier between unprotected tissues and bacteria. After tooth extraction, white plaque on the gum is not pus, but another stage of protection and restoration of the body.
When removing a tooth, the patient must be prepared:
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to moderate bleeding that may last for some time;
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the appearance of a dense blood clot in the gum;
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unpleasant odor 10-12 hours after surgery;
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the formation of a white coating on the blood clot;
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pain after surgery;
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temperature rise.
The listed symptoms are not a sign of an unsuccessful operation or infection in the body - this is the body’s natural response to tooth extraction.
What is white plaque on the wound after tooth extraction?
A few hours after the tooth is removed, a dark clot appears in the socket - bluish, black, red or brown. This clot is blood, and it is the primary protection of the socket from bacteria or pieces of food entering it. On the 2nd - 4th day, the patient may see that a coating appears on the clot - yellowish, gray or white. The deposit looks like pus and, together with the resulting bad breath, can alert the patient. However, there is no need to be alarmed - this plaque is not a sign of wound decay and indicates a normal healing process. This special protein compound is fibrin.
A milky plaque (fibrinous) can be very dense, hard or soft. This is no cause for concern. If you come to the dentist with this question for an unscheduled appointment, the specialist will tell you that everything is in order and there is no need to remove the film.
If the film is not removed and the wound is not disturbed, active processes will occur underneath it:
- the blood clot will begin to dissolve;
- the hole will begin to decrease in size;
- young cells, osteoblasts, will begin to move from the edge of the wound to the center;
- The gums will begin to close the wound.
Fibrinous plaque after tooth extraction is a natural stage of gradual recovery of the body, in which it is better not to interfere.
General overview
Extraction of an element of the dentition is a process during which the gums receive extensive trauma. Tooth extraction leads to rupture of nerves and ligaments, as well as destruction of small blood vessels, resulting in local bleeding. This process is natural in nature and is a protective mechanism - the blood limits the possibility of pathogenic bacteria entering the socket that can cause infection. During the folding process, a reliable barrier is formed that protects the internal tissues until complete recovery. The formation of white plaque is a normal phenomenon, since it is not a purulent structure, but an element necessary for the regeneration of the jaw region.
When undergoing tooth extraction surgery, you should prepare in advance for possible consequences, the list of which includes:
- Moderate bleeding that persists for several hours;
- Formation of a dense blood clot over the socket;
- Unpleasant odor that occurs 10-12 hours after the procedure;
- Formation of a white coating on the surface of the blood clot;
- Painful manifestations in the area of intervention;
- Increased body temperature.
These symptoms are not pathological in nature and are a normal reaction of the body to radical intervention.
Why you don’t need to remove white plaque after tooth extraction
In some cases, patients intentionally or accidentally remove a blood clot or fibrinous film from the socket. This is not necessary, since removing a clot or film can provoke negative processes.
First of all, an open wound provides access for bacteria to the circulatory system and tissues of the maxillofacial apparatus. Infection can cause serious consequences and require long-term treatment with antibiotics. Also, removing the clot and white plaque increases the pain, since an open wound is more sensitive to any irritants, including drinking drinks and food, during a conversation.
Finally, plaque on the gums after tooth extraction does not need to be cleaned off because this can cause re-bleeding and prolong the wound healing stage.
In any case, there is no need to intentionally remove plaque; this can cause:
- serious complications;
- severe pain;
- improper gum formation;
- long recovery process after tooth extraction.
To avoid accidentally damaging the socket, blood clot or fibrinous film, you must follow the recommendations given by the doctor after the operation.
Treatment
The treatment program is selected depending on what causes the white plaque on the gums:
- Antifungal drugs. Prescribed if the disease is caused by candida.
- Treatment of the oral cavity with antiseptics. To do this, you can use hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, miramistin, and potassium permanganate solution. Apply the product to a sponge and gently apply it to the affected areas.
- Special toothpastes. The doctor will recommend the use of special pastes that contain the enzymes lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, and lysozyme. They are necessary in order to restore the microflora.
- Therapy aimed at restoring the immune system. The specialist will recommend medications, vitamins, and a special diet.
How not to damage white plaque after wisdom tooth removal
To eliminate the risk of complications and speed up the recovery process, you need to follow the rules of behavior after tooth extraction:
- do not eat or drink for 3 hours after surgery;
- stop smoking and drinking alcohol for a while;
- do not heat the cheek and gums, avoid overheating;
- for the first 24 hours, do not rinse your mouth or brush your teeth;
- Do not go to the bathhouse for a week, do not play sports.
Smoking is contraindicated, as it provokes vasospasm: the bleeding stops too quickly, the blood clot is not formed enough. Hot drinks, warming the cheek, sports training and visiting a bathhouse cause overheating of the body and dilation of blood vessels, which can cause re-bleeding, opening and infection of the wound.
Rinsing and brushing the mouth are acceptable 24 hours after tooth extraction, but they should not be overly vigorous. Hygienic procedures must be moderate so that the blood clot remains in the cavity and the subsequently formed fibrinous protective layer is not damaged. During the recovery period, food should be chewed only on the non-operated side of the jaw.
If you have a fever and severe pain in the first few days after tooth extraction, you can take Paracetamol - this will help reduce discomfort and improve your well-being.
Differential diagnosis of gingivitis
It is based on the complaints presented to the patient, a visual examination of the patient, the results of functional tests and laboratory tests. The goal of differential diagnosis is to distinguish gingivitis from other periodontal diseases, such as periodontitis and periodontal disease.
The main feature that distinguishes gingivitis from other periodontal diseases is that the inflammatory process affects only the gum tissue, the remaining structures (muscle ligaments that hold the tooth in the jaw and bone tissue) remain unchanged.
Along with this symptom, gingivitis is not characterized by periodontal pockets, exposure of the necks of teeth, or their mobility. And the x-ray shows no signs of bone resorption.
Identifying gingivitis in a timely manner, determining its form and prescribing the correct treatment is the task of a periodontist. But not to forget about prevention and regularly visit the dental clinic is the maximum program for the patient. This is the only way to avoid a more serious periodontal disease – periodontitis.
When white plaque on a wound after tooth extraction requires examination by a doctor
Despite the fact that white plaque after wisdom tooth removal is a natural reaction, the patient needs to conduct a daily self-examination of the oral cavity and consult a doctor for help if alarming symptoms appear.
You should consult a doctor if:
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on the 3rd - 4th day the pain does not decrease, it becomes throbbing and intense;
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a white, reddish or yellow mass or liquid is released from the wound;
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swelling of the gums has intensified or spread to the face;
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body temperature rose above 38 degrees.
These signs indicate possible infection or complications. After examining the oral cavity, the dentist, if necessary, may prescribe a course of antibiotics or surgical cleaning of the socket cavity.
Causes
- Weakened immunity. In people with weak immunity, the body's resistance decreases. Candida begins to multiply quickly.
- Hormonal imbalances. Changes in hormonal levels lead to various pathologies, and candidiasis is one of them.
- Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Diabetes.
- Long-term use of antibiotics. These drugs disrupt the normal microflora. They kill not only pathogenic microorganisms, but also beneficial bacteria.
- Dental diseases. Candidiasis can be provoked by caries and inflammation in the oral cavity.
- Poor oral hygiene. Patients who do not pay proper attention to hygiene are more susceptible to white plaque.
- Dentures. An incorrectly selected denture puts pressure on the mucous membrane, causing it to rub. In these places, the color changes and the tissue structure is disrupted.
- Damage to the mucous membrane. It performs a protective function. Damage provokes various dental pathologies.
White plaque in the mouth is a sign of more than just candidiasis. It also accompanies other pathological conditions:
- Tooth cyst. This is a protective neoplasm that forms in response to the inflammatory process. When pathological cells die, a cavity with dense walls is formed around the necrosis zone, inside which there is liquid.
- Leukoplakia. This is a dense white growth on the gums and cheeks. Without treatment it leads to keratinization.
- Oncological diseases in the initial stage.
Sometimes a problem arises as a response to external irritation. For example, after brushing or whitening your teeth. In this case, it goes away on its own after some time.
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Gum healing
After tooth extraction, you need to be prepared for the fact that pain and swelling may intensify on the second day after surgery. But already on the 3rd - 4th day after the operation, the discomfort will begin to decrease. By this time, the wound healing processes are more active, and by touching the tip of the tongue to the hole, you can feel that a compaction has formed.
During this period, the following are actively developing:
- bone formation in the area of the removed tooth root;
- narrowing of the socket due to the “growth” of the gums;
- formation of the mucous membrane in the socket area.
Fibrinous plaque after tooth extraction persists for a week. It disappears on its own, without mechanical cleaning. Little by little, the mucous membrane begins to turn pink, gradually acquiring a healthy, natural color. Around the 10th day, wound healing is completed: healthy tissue is formed that covers the mouth of the hole. A small depression remains in the area of the removed tooth. The formation of bone tissue at the site of tooth extraction takes much longer - up to 6 months. Changes will be visible on an x-ray.
Natural symptoms after implant placement
- Minor pain syndrome (throbbing pain can appear with any physical activity);
- difficulty swallowing or sore throat;
- elevated body temperature on the first day after implantation;
- bleeding from the wound for 2 days;
- nosebleeds after sinus lift in the upper jaw;
- swelling in the area where the artificial root is implanted;
- numbness of the cheek, part of the tongue, lip or chin;
- whitish coating on the wound;
- increased drowsiness and fatigue;
- unpleasant smell.
You need to rest more so that the body can quickly restore injured tissue. But there are cases when you need to see a dentist.
Dentist's opinion : “Engraftment of the implant system is a complex process that directly depends on the patient’s health condition. When everything is fine, the symptoms that are considered normal after surgery will quickly pass. But if the situation worsens on day 3-4, there may be a risk of developing an inflammatory process or rejection of the structure. It is important not to miss this moment and consult a doctor in time.”
Prevention
Simple measures will help prevent gum overgrowth. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth with a soft brush, using dental floss or interdental brushes. Using a rinse aid reduces the number of bacteria settling on the enamel. But all these measures will not help if there is plaque on the teeth. Therefore, professional teeth cleaning in dentistry is where the prevention of hyperplasia begins.
Author of the article Voznyuk Vladimir Aleksandrovich Maxillofacial surgeon-implantologist of the highest category
Work experience: 28 years.
