Extractions
Wisdom Teeth Decaying or damaged teeth can cause severe pain or infection. In some cases, removing them may be the best solution. Wisdom Teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when they are healthy and properly positioned. However, problems develop that require their removal.
Reasons why you might need an extraction:
- Tooth trauma causing unreperable damage
- Decay
- Extra teeth
- Infection
- Wisdom teeth
- Gum disease
Exam: A detailed exam or X-rays will be done to ensure an extraction is necessary and cannot be fixed with a crown, filling, or any other treatment.
Anesthesia: The proper anesthetic will be given for a more relaxing and painless procedure. Usually a local anesthetic is given to you in the area of your extracted tooth. If this is the case, the area will be numb to pain but you’ll still be able to feel pressure and noises from the procedure.
Healing and Home Care Pain control
Home care for an extraction can involve taking over-the-counter pain medications to help with any tenderness in the days following the procedure and should be taken before the anesthesia wears off. More complex extractions may involve additional prescriptions recommended by your dentist.
Eating. Soft, cold foods are recommended for the few days after the extraction. Try to avoid using straws as the sucking motion can complicate the healing process.
Cleaning. We recommend brushing as usual; changing your gauze pads often and a warm, salt water rinse 24 hours after the procedure to keep the area clean. Smoking should be refrained from for 24-72 hours.
Swelling. Ice packs may help reduce any swelling. There can also be stitches involved in more complex extractions, usually self-dissolving stitches.
It’s extremely important to follow after-care directions to prevent any complications. For example, the blood clot that forms after extraction can become dislodged and leave the hole exposed. This situation, called dry socket, can cause an infection so we strongly recommend taking it easy to ensure you heal properly.
As always, we’re here to answer any questions you may have along the way. Call us today!
