dental surgery healing time

[dreamer222]

Hi health nurse,
I have just had a number of teeth removed and I am curious as to the amount of time needed for dental surgery to mend so that they are no longer considered as an open sores (worry of increased HIV risk during DATY). Also with new dentures if you don't see blood but feel soreness on the gums as a result of rubbing, could that be considered an "open" sore?

 

[Health Nurse]

Hi health nurse,
I have just had a number of teeth removed and I am curious as to the amount of time needed for dental surgery to mend so that they are no longer considered as an open sores (worry of increased HIV risk during DATY). Also with new dentures if you don't see blood but feel soreness on the gums as a result of rubbing, could that be considered an "open" sore?

Hi dreamer222

I don’t know the answer to this question but what I can do is send it to someone that could answer it.

I know a lady at one of the local public health unit’s dental programs. She has been a great resource in the past; hopefully she is not on holidays.

I will post the info when I get it.

HN
www.healthnurse.wordpress.com
www.stiresource.com
www.bccdc.ca

 

[Health Nurse]

Hi dreamer222

I received a reply from the dentist I sent your question to.

Here is his response.


The answer to the question isn't completely straightforward ... but here it goes:

Healing time after dental extractions varies depending on a # of factors, including:

• # of teeth extracted
• difficulty of the extractions
• 'health/healing potential of the patient
• were sutures placed or not

In general, it takes 3-4 weeks before open wounds have a tissue coverage after dental extractions (but, again, it varies depending on all of the above). In general, I would recommend no high-risk sexual activies for at least 3 weeks following dental extractions for fear of contacting something through an open sore.

Re. denture question, the intactness of the oral mucosa would need to be assessed by a dentist. Sore spots should certainly be dealt with as they can definitely lead to oral ulceration and, thereby, put the patient at risk for STD transmission. I would advise the person asking the question to have the denture sore spots evaluated and treated by a dentist.

I hope this helps.



HN
www.healthnurse.wordpress.com
www.stiresource.com
www.bccdc.ca

 

[dreamer222]

Thanks. Getting advice like this is difficult. I am glad that you could help.