Surrounding Teeth Hurt After Tooth Extraction
In my case of having a wisdom tooth removed, I did not expect the nearby teeth to hurt afterwards. But there it was—a deep, throbbing ache that reminded me to be grateful something must have gone wrong. Does this sound familiar? Now, if you are wondering why after tooth extraction surrounding teeth hurt, here lets solve this puzzle and learn how to cope with it.
Are you have pain in your adjacent teeth after getting one tooth removed? That’s not unusual, and I’ve been in that position as well. Now, what leads to this and how can you ease the discomfort? Believe me you will find it easier the way you thought!
Why Do Surrounding Teeth Hurt After Tooth Extraction?
Pain in hiding teeth is normal. The teeth go under stress after failing as well as removal. The tenderness and pressure I recalled, my dentist told me this was all part of healing.
Here’s why this happens:
Shared nerves and pressure: Teeth are connected to a network of nerves, so having one extracted irritates the nearby ones.
Jaw bone realignment: The neighbor teeth moves due to the missing tooth.
Recovery: The gum and bone tissues require time to heal, while this is sometimes uncomfortable it is mild.
Is It Normal for Neighboring Teeth to Hurt?
Yes, it’s completely normal. When I read through this myself, the panic really shot through me as well; my thoughts going from “My extraction site is infected,” to “Oh God, my other teeth are in trouble!” So the question is, why do neighbouring teeth hurt after extraction? The answer is that because of three reasons.
Inflammation: The tissue surrounding the region of extraction gets swollen putting some pressure in adjacent teeth.
Referred pain: The brain misinterprets signals and makes other teeth painful.
Bone Pressure From the Healing Gum: After a tooth gets pulled, the socket begins to close and can transiently put pressure on adjacent teeth.
How Long Does the Pain Last?
For me, I was uncomfortable for close to a week. But it really depends on how complicated the extraction is and your own healing process.
Normally the pain starts to go away from 7–10 days but here is an approximate timeline:
**Days Post-Extraction**
**What to Expect**
Day 1–3: Swelling, tenderness and slight pain.
Day 4–7: Decreased swelling, nearby teeth still achy.
Day 7–10: Not bad, still some slight tenderness left.
If the pain lasts longer than two weeks, it is time to touch base with your dentist.
Common Reasons for Pain in Surrounding Teeth
Nerve Irritation
Nearby nerves can also get irritated from having a tooth removed. I witnessed it when my wisdom tooth came out. I could feel the discomfort but it was not extreme, especially evident while chewing.
Pressure from the Extraction Process
The strength applied in the process can harm the neighboring teeth. My dentist said the instruments used to extract the tooth can sometimes push against teeth next door, creating temporary discomfort.
Infection or Complications
Infection is uncommon, but when it occurs after the extraction it may cause pain in nearby teeth. Watch out for symptoms such as swelling, fever or pus surrounding the site.
How to Relieve Pain in Surrounding Teeth
Use Ice Packs
Ice on the cheek will reduce swelling and numb the area. I found this useful within first 48 hours.
Opt for Soft Foods
The pain gets worse if you eat hard foods. Swap soups, smoothies and mashed potatoes. Avocado toast without the crust was one of my favorites — soft, healing food!
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
I just took ibuprofen for the pain. But make sure to use the correct dosage.
Rinse Gently with Salt Water
This was a lifesaver for me. Made the area clean with a warm saltwater rinse and reduced inflammation.
Avoid Touching the Area
I learned this the hard way. All I did was poke at the spot with my tongue, which only aggravated it more.
When Should You See a Dentist?
Most of the unhappiness passes with time, but sometimes, you require professional assistance. I only went to my dentist once, when I saw strange swelling. Here’s when you should do the same:
– Pain that does not go away after two weeks.
– Swelling which does not subside after a number of days.
– You are having signs of infection like pus/fever.
– Difficulty or painful chewing.
Can Surrounding Teeth Become Loose After Extraction?
One of my teeth felt a little wobbly after the procedure, and — I kid you not — I was terrified. Which my dentist said is typical and transitory. When a tooth is lost, the jawbone compensates for it, and nearby teeth may feel loose — at least temporarily.
My Experience: What Helped Me Cope
The reason is when my wisdom tooth pulled out, I suddenly felt the pain of other teeth near it. However, this one thing in particular made the difference to me:
– I followed my saltwater rinse regimen to a ‘T.
– I quickly realized my soft food buddies, and I even found new recipes!
– I did not use a straw, especially because of dry socket.
– Frequent visits with my dentist assured me I was healing correctly.
How to Prevent Pain in Surrounding Teeth
Follow Post-Op Instructions
Listen to your dentist. My recovery state was so much smoother when I followed the aftercare advice to a T!
Maintain Oral Hygiene
Brushing with a soft brush followed by rinsing will help keep the area clean and minimize risk of infection.
Avoid Overusing the Area
Avoid chewing on the other side of your mouth for at least a week.
Final Thoughts: Should You Worry About Surrounding Teeth Pain?
It is always scary when your other teeth hurt after tooth extraction, but in most cases it is not something serious. From that experience, I learned patience — give it time, and if you tend to your wounds properly they will heal.
Did you feel pain in adjacent teeth after extraction? Leave your story below—would love to know how did you handle it!