Reasons for Tooth Extraction and Tips for Quick Recovery

Tooth extraction refers to taking out your permanent tooth from its jawbone and gum socket. Although some people are afraid of this dental procedure, recent advancements in technology and medicine have made the process painless, comfortable, and, most importantly, quick.

At Dental Land, the procedure is performed by either an oral surgeon (when complex) or a dentist (when mild).

Before the extraction, your dentist will conduct a thorough study of your dental and medical history. He will then perform the necessary X-rays to observe the surrounding born, position, length, and shape of your tooth.

With this information, the dentist will determine whether he should direct you to an oral surgeon or personally perform the procedure on you.

After tooth extraction, your dentist will give you instructions on how to care for the area until it is healed.

There are two processes of tooth extraction:

• Surgical extraction

Due to its high level of complexity, this procedure is usually performed by an oral surgeon. Since it involves a tooth that is broken with its surface beneath the gum line, a small cut is made into your gum to reach the underlying tooth and extract it. In some cases, your tooth may be removed in pieces if it proves challenging to remove whole.

• Simple extraction

It is performed by general dentists. It involves pulling out a tooth that is visible in your mouth. Using anesthesia, your dentist will numb the area surrounding your tooth, ensuring you don’t feel pain during the procedure.

Reasons for Tooth Extraction

• If your tooth is experiencing a severe case of dental caries, the decay may have reached the roots, thus prompting its removal.
• To create room for braces
• In case you have crowded teeth to provide dental alignment
• If periodontal disease has resulted in the loosening of your teeth
• In case your wisdom teeth have complications, an extraction is an option for treatment since it will help alleviate pain.
• There are instances when a child may experience a delay in shedding off the milk teeth. To remedy this condition, the teeth are extracted to pave the way for the growth of permanent teeth.
• In case your teeth or their surrounding born have experienced trauma, an emergency tooth extraction will be required.
• If you have a risk of infection, tooth extraction will assist in preventing the infection.

Recovery Tips

• To minimize the risk of acquiring dry sockets, avoid smoking at least 48 hours after the procedure.
• You are most likely going to feel okay after the procedure. However, you should avoid too much activity 24 hours after going for the procedure. You are also advised to maintain a slightly upright head position when resting on the pillow.
• To minimize swelling, you should place an ice pack on your face directly above the surface that has been operated on within 24 hours after the extraction. Do this for 15-minute on and off intervals for 1-2 hours.
• Restrain yourself from taking solid foods before the numbness wears off. After the extraction, take liquid foods such as soup and yogurts and soft food like mashed potatoes.
• As tempting as it may be, you should not prod the gap created.
• You should adhere to your doctor’s prescription to the latter. Avoid skipping taking your medicine. In case you continue to experience pain or bleeding 48 hours after the extraction, promptly contact your dentist.
• Rinsing should be avoided twelve hours after the extraction. After the period has passed, use warm and saline rinses to clean the area.
• Give the wound time to clot. If the bleeding persists several hours after the procedure, place a wet tea bag on the area. This may assist the clotting due to the tannic acid black tea contains.
• Avoid taking aspirin since it will delay clotting, consequently prolonging the healing time.

Benefits of Tooth Extraction

• Averts risk of infection
• Pain caused by infections, compaction or damage is alleviated
• It assists in maintaining proper alignment of teeth

Book an appointment with a certified dentist near you to know whether you need to undergo tooth extraction for better oral health.