Extractions
Dental extractions are one of the best ways to eliminate infection and get you back on track to the healthy smile you love and deserve. At My Family Dentistry we strive to provide you with as pain-free of an experience as possible in a comfortable, relaxing spa-life environment.
Restore Your Strong, Healthy Smile
When Do I Need A Tooth Extraction
An extraction procedure requires removing or pulling the tooth when damage has been caused that is not repairable using alternative methods or other dental procedures.
Your dentist may recommend tooth extraction if you have:
- Severe tooth decay (cavities).
- A fractured tooth.
- An impacted tooth.
- Crowded teeth.
- Severe gum disease.
- Tooth luxation or other dental injuries.
Sometimes an emergency tooth extraction is required when it is absolutely imperative that a tooth be removed within a 24 to 48 hour period. These situations include massive breaks, severe pain, large cracks and other scenarios that may put a patient’s oral health at risk.
We always prefer to save your natural teeth when possible, however sometimes other restorative methods such as dental fillings or dental crowns aren’t enough to repair the damage. If your tooth has been badly damaged past the point of repair, then an extraction may be necessary to improve your functionality and quality of life.
What To Expect During A Tooth Extraction
You will be given a local anesthetic around the surrounding gum tissue to provide you with as pain-free of an experience as possible. Using state-of-the-art dental equipment and technology Dr. Mullins or Dr. Owen will gently remove the affected tooth. The socket will then be cleaned and disinfected.
What Expect After A Tooth Extraction
It’s important that you take recovery seriously to get the best results from your tooth extraction. As you prepare for surgery, talk to Dr. Wes or Dr. Owen beforehand so you know how to best prepare. This can help make the recovery process more effective and go more smoothly.
You may experience light bleeding, swelling, and discomfort after your extraction. Avoid strenuous activities for the first two days and you will be able to return to routine activities within 48 to 72 hours. These instructions will help to lower your risk of having any problems while your mouth heals.
How to Clean Your Mouth After Your Tooth is Removed
Day of procedure:
- Do not clean the teeth next to the healing tooth socket for the rest of the day.
- You should still brush and floss your other teeth.
- You can also brush your tongue. This can help get rid of the bad breath and unpleasant taste that are common after an extraction.
Day after procedure:
- Begin cleaning the teeth next to the healing tooth socket.
- Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water after meals to keep bits of food out of the extraction site.
- To make a salt water rinse: mix half a teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water.
- Try not to rinse your mouth too hard because this could loosen the blood clot. If you have high blood pressure, discuss with your dentist whether you should rinse with salt water.
- Avoid using a mouthwash during this early healing period or until your dentist tells you when you are able to do so.
Take pain medication only as directed by your dentist
- If your dentist has prescribed medicine to control pain and inflammation, or to prevent infection, use it only as directed.
- If the pain medication prescribed does not seem to work for you, don’t take more pills or take them more often than directed — call your dentist.
Swelling and pain are normal after a tooth is removed
To help reduce swelling and pain:
- Try applying a cold compress to your face, like an ice pack or a cold, moist cloth.
- Your dentist may give you specific instructions on how long and how often to use a cold compress.
Attend Your Follow Up Appointments
After your tooth extraction you’ll need to make sure to return for your follow-ups. This gives our dentists the opportunity to make sure that everything is healing correctly, check for signs of complications, and make sure that you’re getting the desired results.
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