TOOTH EXTRACTION
When a tooth is damaged to the point that a filling, crown, or other treatment can’t fix it, you may need to have it extracted. While it is the option of last resort, tooth extraction is sometimes necessary to preserve oral hygiene and prevent further problems. Some common reasons for tooth extraction are:
Wisdom teeth removal
Severely damaged teeth that cannot be treated by a filling, crown, etc.
Infection of the tissue and bones surrounding the teeth
The presence of extra teeth that prevent other teeth from coming in
Making space in the mouth before getting braces (so that the teeth can properly move into place)
Baby teeth don’t fall out early enough to allow the new teeth to come in
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT DURING THE EXTRACTION
Whether it’s an emergency tooth extraction or a more routine procedure, we focus on minimizing discomfort throughout the process. We start by administering an anesthetic — usually a local anesthetic, but sometimes general anesthetic for more complicated extractions. Then we extract the teeth and in most cases apply stitches to help with healing. We will also apply gauze to the extraction site and have you bite down it, allowing a blood clot to form. You’ll need to leave the gauze in place for a few hours after the procedure.
EXTRACTION POST-OP CARE
You can expect the recovery period to last a few days, sometimes longer. Taking the following steps can help minimize discomfort and speed up healing while reducing your risk of infection:
- Take painkillers as directed by your dentist.
- Apply ice to the affected area immediately after the procedure to reduce swelling.
- Limit physical activity for a couple days following the procedure.
- Avoid rinsing or spitting forcefully for 24 hours after the extraction to avoid dislodging the clot that forms in the socket (the painful condition known as “dry sockets”).
- After 24 hours, rinse with your mouth with a solution of salt and warm water.
- Do not drink from a straw for the first 24 hours.
- Do not smoke.
- Eat soft foods like soup, yogurt, and pudding the day after the extraction. You can gradually add solid foods to your diet as you heal.
- When lying down, prop your head with pillows to reduce bleeding.
- Brush and floss as you usually would, but avoid the extraction site. Doing so will help prevent infection.
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