Spotting the Clot: What Does a Blood Clot Look Like After Tooth Extraction?

A badly damaged or decayed tooth can cause immense pain and puts your other healthy teeth at risk of infection. When you go for a consultation at the dentist in Houston, TX, they may recommend a tooth extraction procedure. A tooth extraction involves the removal of a tooth from its socket. After tooth removal, an open wound is left. Gradually, the wound heals thanks to the formation of a blood clot. The dentist who performs tooth extraction in Houston will recommend eating hard foods, smoking, and using a straw until the wound heals.

The best indication that your wound is healing after a tooth extraction is the forming blood clot. What does a blood clot look like after tooth removal? What happens if you smoke or use a straw immediately after tooth removal? This piece will answer these questions and how to identify a healthy and problematic blood clot.

What Does Blood Clot After Tooth Extraction Look Like

Before explaining what a blood clot looks like, after tooth extraction, it is essential to know what it is in the first place. If you’ve ever sustained an injury, a blood clot forms over the wound, preventing more bleeding by plugging the injured blood vessel.

So, after tooth removal, a blood clot starts to form to reduce the bleeding that occurs. The forming clot should look like a dark-colored scab. Use a mirror and a flashlight to check the blood clot to ensure it’s getting smaller each day.

You may see black marks on the extraction site, which is normal. They are stitches that the dentist uses to sew up the wound. Additionally, there might be a creamy white gelly tissue. This creamy matter is known as granulation tissue and should not be a cause for concern. It implies that your body is covering the wound well.

The blood clot begins to form within a day after tooth removal. Once the bleeding stops, the clot starts to form. From there, the dentist will remove the stitches within 7-10 days after an extraction. By this time, the tooth extraction blood clot should be gone.

Signs Of a Healthy Blood Clot

• The pain you experience after tooth extraction gradually reduces.
• The blood clot stays in place until the wound heals.
• There is no visible tissue or exposed bone.
• The clot doesn’t affect your taste.
• Your breath is not affected by the clot and remains normal.
• Dark-colored clot.

Signs Of a Problematic Blood Clot

• Pain that starts to improve then gets worse with time.
• There is no visible blood, or the clot has partially disintegrated.
• Bad taste in your mouth.
• Bad or foul smell coming from the wound.
• Visible, exposed tissue or bone.

What Causes a Problematic/ Dry Socket?

After tooth removal, your body creates inflammation, and you might notice that the tooth extraction site is mildly swollen. This results from platelets clumping together to form a clot that seals the wound.

If the blood clot gets dislodged or dislodged, it leaves the gap in your tooth socket unprotected. When this happens, you might experience intense pain due to the exposed nerves in the socket.

So, what can lead to having a dry socket? Here are some of the causes:

Preexisting infection- people with underlying tooth infections are more likely to experience a dry socket. If you have a history of oral infection, share this information with the dentist before going for a tooth extraction near you.

Pressure on the wound- using a straw immediately after a tooth extraction is not recommended. It creates a suction force that leads to the dislodging of the clot. Similarly, chewing or biting on the empty socket can lead to the blood clot disintegrating.

Smoking- when you smoke, you create a suction sensation that can pull the blood clot from the socket. It is better to avoid smoking altogether as it can cause oral cancer, gum problems, and decay of teeth roots.

How Can You Protect a Blood Clot After Tooth Extraction?

• Avoid strenuous activity for 24 hours after tooth removal.
• Help your clot to form by avoiding smoking, spitting, and using a straw.
• Stick to soft foods like soups, yogurts, scrambled eggs, and broths.
• Use a cold compress to alleviate pain and swelling.

A blood clot is an essential part of the healing process after tooth removal. If you notice signs of a problematic blood clot, don’t hesitate to visit Asure Dental. We are invested in our patient’s oral health, and our dental professionals will ensure a smooth recovery.