Teeth Extractions
One or more of your teeth may need to be extracted for a variety of reasons:
- Deep decay or trauma in the tooth
- Crowding of the teeth in the mouth
- Occurrence of an infection that may have damaged a large portion of the surrounding bone or the tooth itself
Before extracting your tooth, X-Rays of the mouth are taken to determine the position of the tooth in the mouth and the best way to extract it. The site is numbed using local anesthesia. Sedation may be administered to patients who suffer from dental anxiety. The tooth is then pulled out from its socket using dental instruments. The area is disinfected, and a gauze pad is placed over it to control bleeding.
It is important to keep the area clean following the removal of a tooth to prevent the spread of infection. Gently bite down on the gauze pad placed at the extraction site and avoid rinsing your mouth for at least 24 hours after the surgery as it could cause the clot formed at the site to get dislodged and bleed.
It is not uncommon to experience a certain amount of pain and discomfort after getting a tooth extracted. We may prescribe a painkiller to control pain. Apply an ice pack to control swelling and avoid any strenuous activity, hot liquids and drinking with a straw. Stick to consumption of cold, soft foods for a few days after surgery to allow the area to heal properly. Under normal circumstances, discomfort should lessen within three days to two weeks. If you have prolonged or severe pain, swelling, bleeding or fever, call our office immediately for help.
For more information about teeth extraction, the procedure and post-operative care, please feel free to contact our office for a consultation. Call us at (940) 566-1066.
