Question: How much pain is normal after having a tooth taken out?
Explanation: Some pain after extraction is expected and reflects normal healing. It typically peaks at around 12 hours, then improves steadily each day. Over-the-counter analgesics such as ibuprofen usually control it well. Pain that increases after day three, rather than decreasing, is abnormal and suggests dry socket or infection. Pain accompanied by fever, spreading swelling, or difficulty swallowing needs urgent review. Surgical extractions and lower wisdom teeth produce more discomfort and more swelling than simple extractions, and the timeline is correspondingly longer.
Related Questions:
When should post-extraction pain start improving?
Within 48 to 72 hours. The pattern matters more than the intensity. Pain that peaks around day one and then fades daily is normal. Pain that is mild initially and worsens on day three or four points strongly towards dry socket.
Can I take ibuprofen and paracetamol together after an extraction?
Yes, and staggering them provides better relief than either alone. This combination is standard practice for post-operative dental pain. Check for contraindications such as stomach ulcers, kidney disease, or asthma triggered by non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, and follow the stated doses.
Why does the pain radiate to my ear after a lower extraction?
The lower molars and the ear share sensory innervation through branches of the trigeminal and auriculotemporal nerves. The brain misattributes the origin of the signal. Referred pain to the ear, temple, and jaw is common and does not indicate an ear problem.
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