Oftentimes, having dental work done can leave you with a funky aftertaste. In such cases, it’s all about finding the culprit behind it, whether it’s nothing to worry about or something worth looking into. So, what causes a bad taste in the mouth after tooth extraction? Let’s see why this happens and what you can do about it. After all, a fresh smile shouldn’t come with an aftertaste!
What Is Tooth Extraction Exactly?
In general dentistry, tooth extraction involves taking the tooth out entirely from its socket. Of course, having natural and healthy teeth is always the goal, but in certain cases, “pulling” a tooth is the best course of action.
According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, over 150 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. Luckily, it’s not all said and done – solutions such as dental crowns and bridges can work wonders in restoring your smile.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves – what about extraction? In which cases is it necessary? Here are the most common predicaments:
- Deep cavities,
- Fractured or damaged teeth,
- Advanced gum disease (periodontitis),
- Stuck (impacted) teeth,
- Overcrowded teeth.
What Does the Process of Extraction Look Like?
Tooth extraction is a fairly straightforward procedure done under local anesthesia. The tooth is gently loosened using special dental instruments before being carefully removed from its socket. It’s a super common procedure – in fact, every year, around 5 million Americans undergo wisdom teeth removal.
Even though it’s a simple procedure, it still pays to find a dentist in Charlotte, NC, who has a stress-free dentistry practice. That way, you can be sure that the whole ordeal will be as comfortable as it is effective. After the tooth is out, the extraction area is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and the healing can begin.
Bad Taste in Mouth After Tooth Extraction but No Pain? There Are Simple Causes
As you’re going through recovery after a wisdom tooth or any other type of dental removal, you might find yourself wondering – why do I have a bad taste in my mouth after tooth extraction? Well, in most cases, it’s nothing to worry about – this weird aftertaste can have quite normal, sensible causes.
The Metallic Taste of Blood Can Be the Culprit
Experiencing a bad taste in the mouth after tooth extraction, not dry socket-related (more on that later), is most probably due to bleeding from the extraction site. As we all know, there’s a high concentration of iron in the blood, which can result in a weird metallic aftertaste.
While the bleeding should stop just one day after the treatment, traces can persist. So, if you’ve still got a bad taste in the mouth 3 days after tooth extraction, give it a simple salt water rinse and a good brush. If this was the culprit, your smile should be back to feeling fresh in no time.
It Might Be as Simple as a Dry Mouth
Dealing with bad breath and an equally as funky taste? The culprit might be as simple as a dry mouth, a condition known as xerostomia. According to research published in the National Library of Medicine, xerostomia is prevalent among geriatric patients, but younger people can experience it as well.
When your mouth dries out, bacteria get a little too comfortable and start producing volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) that leave an unpleasant flavor. In most cases, this happens from not drinking enough water, slacking on oral hygiene routine, or as a side effect of medication.
The solution is as simple as the culprit – stay hydrated. This will help flush out bacteria and keep your mouth feeling fresh. Of course, keep up with that brushing and flossing routine, and check out what’s best to eat after tooth removal.
How Long Does the Bad Taste in the Mouth Last After Tooth Extraction?
Usually, that unpleasant aftertaste fades within a day or two as soon as you step up your brushing routine and start rinsing regularly. However, if you still have a bad taste in the mouth 5 days after tooth extraction – or even longer – it might need some extra attention.
What Is the Bad Taste in My Mouth After Tooth Extraction? The More Serious Causes
While it’s probably nothing serious, there are a few potential complications that can cause that lingering aftertaste. If you have your suspicions and questions, a follow-up with your Charlotte dentist in SouthPark will help you make sure everything’s healing as it should be.
Here are a few scenarios that require professional attention:
- A tooth infection with white drainage from the extraction site, which is treated with socket debridement,
- Food lodged and beginning to ferment inside the socket, which can be solved with a simple salt water rinse, syringe irrigation, or a water flosser,
- A dry socket (alveolar osteitis), combined with an overall unpleasant feeling, and with multiple treatment options depending on the condition.
Stop Playing the Guessing Game – Visit Aspire Dental Wellness
There’s only so much you can do once you start playing detective with the question – why is there a bad taste in my mouth after tooth extraction? Even if you think the culprit is something as simple as not drinking enough water, it’s best to wrap up the mystery and get some expert help.
Led by Dr. Sladjana Bjelac, our team at Aspire Dental Wellness is committed to making sure your smile not only looks great but feels great, too. Moreover, we offer completely non-invasive, comfortable treatments, thanks to our practice of advanced laser dentistry in Charlotte, NC. Contact us today to figure out what that funky smell is all about, and we’ll get you back to feeling fresh and confident in no time!
