What Should a Tooth Extraction Look Like When Healing? Day-by-Day Pictures & Timeline 2026

The healing process after a tooth extraction can take several weeks, and understanding what’s normal can help ease your anxiety during recovery. Your body will form a protective blood clot in the socket to stop bleeding, and a scab will develop over the extraction site. To support optimal healing, it’s essential to avoid smoking, using straws, and eating hard or crunchy foods during the recovery period. Let’s explore what a properly healing tooth extraction should look like at each stage.

What Should a Tooth Extraction Look Like When Healing?

A dental extraction is a surgical procedure in which a tooth is removed from its socket in the jawbone. The healing process can vary depending on the individual, the tooth’s location, and the complexity of the extraction. Following your dentist’s post-operative instructions and monitoring the extraction site carefully will ensure proper healing and help you avoid complications like dry socket.

Here’s what you can expect during the healing process after a tooth extraction:

• Swelling: Swelling around the extraction site is completely normal and is your body’s natural inflammatory response to surgical trauma. The swelling typically peaks around the second or third day and gradually decreases over the following week.
• Bruising: Bruising around the extraction area is also a normal part of healing. You may notice a black-and-blue discoloration that will gradually fade over 5-7 days.
• Pain and Discomfort: Some level of discomfort is expected after a tooth extraction. Your dentist will prescribe or recommend appropriate pain medication to manage this. If you’re experiencing severe pain that worsens after the first few days, contact your dentist immediately.
• Stitches: If your dentist placed sutures to close the extraction site, they will typically dissolve on their own within 7 to 10 days. Some stitches may need to be removed during a follow-up appointment.
• Blood Clot Formation: After the tooth is removed, a dark red or burgundy blood clot will form in the socket to stop bleeding and protect the underlying bone and nerves. This clot is absolutely critical for proper healing—disturbing it can lead to a painful condition called dry socket.
• Scab Development: As the blood clot matures, a whitish or yellowish scab-like tissue may develop over the extraction site. This is normal healing tissue, not infection, and should not be disturbed.
• Tissue Regeneration: In the first few days after extraction, new soft tissue begins to grow over the socket. Over the following weeks and months, the extraction site will gradually fill in with new bone tissue.

Wound Healing Process: Tooth Extraction Site After 3 Days

The wound healing process at the tooth extraction site follows three distinct biological stages. Understanding these phases can help you know what to expect and identify any potential complications early.

Stage 1: Inflammatory Phase (Days 0-3)

The initial phase, lasting approximately the first 3 days, is known as the inflammatory phase. During this stage, your body’s immune system springs into action, sending blood and specialized immune cells to the extraction site to clean and seal the wound. You’ll likely experience:

• Moderate to significant swelling
• Bruising around the extraction area
• Pain or discomfort that gradually improves
• A dark red blood clot filling the socket
• Minor bleeding or oozing in the first 24 hours

This is when the protective blood clot forms and must be protected at all costs. Avoid rinsing vigorously, using straws, or spitting forcefully during this critical period.

Stage 2: Proliferative Phase (Days 3-7)

The second phase, known as the proliferative phase, begins around day 3 and lasts for about a week. During this phase, healing accelerates as:

• New blood vessels grow into the wound, delivering oxygen and nutrients
• Granulation tissue (pink, bumpy tissue) begins to form, providing a foundation for new tissue
• The blood clot is gradually replaced by soft tissue
• The extraction site starts to fill in with early bone formation
• Swelling and pain significantly decrease

You may notice a whitish or yellowish appearance at the extraction site—this is normal healing tissue, not pus or infection.

Stage 3: Remodeling Phase (Days 7+)

The final phase, known as the remodeling phase, starts around day 7 and can last for several months. During this extended period:

• The soft tissue that formed during the second phase is gradually replaced by mature, stronger tissue
• The extraction site continues to fill in with new bone
• The tissue begins to resemble the surrounding gum tissue
• Complete bone healing can take 3-6 months

While the visible surface may appear healed within 2-3 weeks, complete bone regeneration takes much longer, which is why dentists often recommend waiting several months before placing dental implants.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction Healing: Day-by-Day Timeline

Wisdom tooth extractions often involve more complex surgery than simple extractions, so the recovery timeline may be slightly longer. Here’s what to expect during your day-by-day healing process:

Day 0-1: Immediate Post-Operative Phase

Immediately following surgery, you’ll experience numbness from the anesthesia, which will gradually wear off over 2-4 hours. During the first night after tooth extraction:

• Apply firm pressure to the extraction site using gauze for 30-45 minutes to control bleeding
• Use ice packs on the external cheek area for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off to minimize swelling
• Take prescribed pain medication before the anesthesia wears off
• Rest with your head elevated on pillows
• Stick to cold, soft foods like ice cream, yogurt, or smoothies
• Avoid rinsing, spitting, or using straws

Minor oozing or blood-tinged saliva is normal for the first 24 hours. If you experience persistent bleeding after 2 hours, contact your dentist.

Days 2-3: Peak Inflammation Phase

During the second and third days, swelling typically reaches its maximum, causing your face to appear puffy and possibly distorted. This is the worst day of pain after wisdom tooth extraction for many patients. Important care steps include:

• Continue taking pain medication as prescribed
• Switch from ice packs to warm compresses to promote circulation
• Rest and avoid physical exertion or exercise
• Begin gentle salt water rinses (after 24 hours) to keep the area clean
• Continue eating soft foods like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and soup
• Sleep with your head elevated to reduce swelling

Days 4-5: Subsiding Phase

The fourth and fifth days mark the beginning of the subsiding phase, where pain and inflammation start to noticeably decrease. Most patients feel significantly better during this period:

• Swelling begins to reduce
• Pain becomes more manageable, often requiring only over-the-counter medication
• You can gradually introduce slightly firmer soft foods
• Continue to avoid smoking, alcohol, and using straws to prevent dry socket
• Maintain gentle oral hygiene, avoiding the extraction site

If you’re still experiencing severe pain 5 days after tooth extraction, contact your dentist as this may indicate a complication.

Days 6-7: Early Recovery Phase

By the sixth and seventh days, most patients start to feel much more like themselves and can begin returning to normal activities:

• Swelling should be minimal or completely resolved
• Pain is typically mild or absent
• You can resume most normal foods, though still avoiding very hard or crunchy items
• Stitches may begin to dissolve or loosen
• You can gradually resume light exercise

By the end of the first week, the recovery process is well underway, though complete healing will take several more weeks.

Days 7-14: Continued Healing

During the second week, healing continues at a steady pace:

• The extraction site fills in with granulation tissue
• Any remaining stitches dissolve completely
• You can return to your normal diet and activities
• The visible socket begins to close

If you experience pain 10 days after wisdom teeth removal, schedule a follow-up appointment to rule out infection or other complications.

Essential Care Tips for Optimal Healing in 2026

Following these evidence-based guidelines will help ensure your extraction site heals properly and quickly:

Protect the Blood Clot

The blood clot is your body’s natural bandage. Losing it can lead to dry socket, a painful complication. To protect it:

• Avoid rinsing your mouth for the first 24 hours
• Don’t use straws for at least one week
• Avoid spitting forcefully
• Don’t smoke or use tobacco products for at least 72 hours (ideally one week)
• Be gentle when brushing near the extraction site

If you accidentally rinsed your mouth after tooth extraction, don’t panic—just be extra careful going forward.

Manage Pain and Swelling

• Take prescribed or recommended pain medication as directed
• Use ice packs for the first 48 hours, then switch to warm compresses
• Keep your head elevated, even while sleeping
• Consider using Tylenol and ibuprofen together for tooth pain if approved by your dentist

Maintain Proper Nutrition

• Stick to soft, nutritious foods for the first few days
• Stay hydrated with water and non-acidic beverages
• Avoid hot liquids for the first 24 hours
• Gradually reintroduce normal foods as healing progresses
• Learn what you can eat 7 days after wisdom teeth removal

Practice Gentle Oral Hygiene

• After 24 hours, rinse gently with warm salt water 3-4 times daily
• Brush your teeth carefully, avoiding the extraction site
• Don’t use mouthwash containing alcohol during the first week
• Learn the proper technique for brushing your teeth after tooth extraction

Know When to Seek Help

Contact your dentist immediately if you experience:

• Severe pain that worsens after day 3
• Heavy bleeding that doesn’t stop with pressure
• Signs of infection (fever, pus, foul odor)
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Numbness that persists beyond the expected timeframe
• Gum swelling 2 weeks after tooth extraction

Conclusion: Your Path to Complete Healing

Understanding what a healing tooth extraction should look like at each stage empowers you to monitor your recovery and identify potential problems early. While the visible healing occurs within 2-3 weeks, complete bone regeneration takes 3-6 months. By following your dentist’s instructions, protecting the blood clot, managing pain appropriately, and maintaining good oral hygiene, you’ll ensure optimal healing and minimize the risk of complications.

Remember, every person’s healing journey is unique. If you have any concerns about your recovery, don’t hesitate to contact your dental professional for guidance. With proper care and patience, you’ll be back to your normal routine with a healthy, fully healed extraction site in no time.