Hi KitKat,

I've had quite a few teeth pulled in recent years. I have a little home dental kit with a special long-handled small mirror that enables me to look at the spot where the tooth was extracted. I use a flashlight and a magnifier too. All of this is just to see how the area is looking. If it's puffy, red, sore to the touch, I start to get concerned. If I press the gums and pus oozes out, I get to the dentist ASAP.

Most of the time I've got by with just following the directions I was given at the dentist's office--especially the warm salt-water rinses. They help a lot.

If the pain is getting worse or keeping you awake at night at this point, I'd definitely get in touch with the dentist. Sometimes an antibiotic is all that is needed.

As akatc said, 4 weeks is a long time for the pain to last.