A woman sitting up in bed holding her cheek in pain

Tooth extraction is a frequent dental treatment in which the tooth is taken out of its bone socket. Even though it could seem overwhelming, being prepared and knowing how to take care of yourself after extraction will help guarantee a quick and easy recovery. This thorough guide will assist you in navigating the procedure.

Why You Might Need a Tooth Extraction

Tooth extractions are performed for various reasons, including:

  1. Severe Decay or Infection: In order to stop the infection from spreading, a tooth extraction may be required if it is too damaged to be fixed with a filling or crown.

  2. Crowded Mouth: In order to make room for orthodontic treatment, teeth may occasionally need to be removed.

  3. Gum Disease: Severe periodontal disease can cause teeth to become loose, necessitating extraction.

  4. Impacted Teeth: Wisdom teeth and other teeth may require extraction if they do not have enough space to erupt normally.

Different Types of Extractions

Tooth extractions can be divided into two categories:

  1. Simple extractions: Simple extractions are carried out under local anesthetic on teeth that are visible. Using an elevator, the dentist Dr. Borham extracts the tooth and uses forceps to remove it.

  2. Surgical extraction: More intricate, frequently including teeth that are impacted, fractured, or subsurface. General anesthesia and an oral surgeon may be needed for this treatment.

What to anticipate from the process.

  1. Preparation: In order to get ready, your oral surgeon or Dr. Borham will evaluate your medical history and take X-rays. Depending on how difficult the extraction is, you may be given anesthesia to completely sedate yourself or to numb the affected area.

  2. Extraction: During a routine extraction, you will not experience pain; instead, you will feel pressure when the tooth is taken out. Before the tooth can be removed surgically, the gums may need to be cut and the surrounding bone may need to be removed.

  3. Post-Procedure: After extraction, Dr. Borham will repackage the socket with gauze to stop the bleeding and, if needed, suture the area.

Post-Extraction Care

Proper aftercare is crucial for a smooth recovery. Here are some steps to follow:

  1. Control Bleeding: To stop bleeding, gently bite onto gauze for a duration of 30-45 minutes. Use a moist tea bag or a fresh gauze pad if it persists.

  2. Control Pain and Swelling: Take over the counter or prescription painkillers as advised. To lessen swelling, apply an ice pack to your face every ten minutes.

  3. Rest: For the first 24 hours, abstain from physically demanding activities. When you are lying down, raise your head using pillows.

  4. Diet: For the first several days, limit your intake to soft meals like yogurt, pudding, and mashed potatoes. Steer clear of anything crunchy, hot, or spicy that can aggravate the extraction site.

  5. Oral Hygiene: Maintain good oral hygiene but stay away from the extraction site. After the operation, rinse gently with saltwater beginning the day after. As normal, brush and floss the remaining teeth.

Schedule frequent dental exams to catch any problems before they become emergencies.

Call us right now to schedule an appointment if you would like to maintain good dental health with regular checkups and cleanings.