What to Know About Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction, or the removal of a tooth, is a fairly common practice for adults, even though their teeth are supposed to be permanent. Here are some of the reasons someone may require to get a tooth removed:
- Gum disease
- Damage from trauma
- Crowded teeth
- Tooth infection or decay
Read on to find out more about tooth extraction and what you require to do after this dental process.
How A Tooth Extraction is Performed
You schedule a tooth extraction with the dentist or an oral surgeon. During the procedure, your dentist injects you with an anaesthetic to numb the area and avoid you from experiencing pain, although you’ll still be conscious of your environment.
If your child is having a tooth separated, or if you’re having more than one tooth to be removed, they could choose to make use of a strong general anesthetic. This means your child or you will sleep all throughout the process.
For an easy tooth extraction, your dentist will make use of a device called an elevator to rock the tooth back and forth until it becomes wobbly. They’ll then get rid of the tooth using dental forceps.
Molars or Impacted Teeth
If you’re getting a molar removed or if the tooth is impacted (meaning it sits underneath the gums), surgical removal may be required.
In these cases, the surgeon will create an incision to cut away the gum and bone tissue that covers the tooth. After that, using forceps, they will rock the tooth back and forth until it breaks away.
If the tooth is particularly tricky to extract, pieces of the tooth will be removed. More complex surgical extractions are likely to be performed under general anesthetic.
Once the tooth is removed, a blood clot will typically form in the socket. Your dentist or oral surgeon will collect it with a gauze pad to discontinue the bleeding. In some cases, a few stitches are also required.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Though aftercare may be different based on the kind of extraction and location of the tooth, you can typically expect to mend in a matter of 7 to 10 days. It’s essential to do what you can to keep the blood clot in position in the tooth socket. Dislodging it can cause what’s called dry socket, which can be excruciating.
There are some things you can try to speed up recuperating time:
- Take painkillers as agreed.
- Leave the original gauze pad in place until about three to four hours following the process.
- Apply an ice bag to the affected area straight away following the process, but only for 10 minutes at a time. Leaving ice packs on for too long may end in tissue damage.
- Rest for 24 hours following the operation and limit your movement for the next couple of days.
- To evade dislodging the blood clot, don’t rinse, spit, or use a straw for 24 hours later than the process.
- After 24 hours, clean your mouth with a salt solution, prepared with half a teaspoon of salt and 8 ounces warm water.
- Avoid smoking.
- When sleeping, support your head up with pillows, as lying flat can delay healing.
- Keep on brushing and flossing your teeth to stop infection, though steer clear of the extraction site.
Food to Eat After A Tooth Extraction
During the healing process, you’ll want to eat soft foods, such as:
- Soup
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Pudding
You can put in smoothies to your diet, but you have to eat them with a spoon. As your removal site heals, you’ll be able to add in more solid foods into your diet, but it’s optional to continue with this soft foods diet for a week after the extraction.
How to Manage Pain Following A Tooth Extraction
You’ll most likely experience some discomfort, soreness, or pain after your extraction. It’s also typical to see some inflammation in your face.
The painkillers you’ll get hold of from your doctor will help reduce these symptoms. They may also recommend a number of over-the-counter medicines.
If your discomfort doesn’t subside two or three days following the extraction, you would like to speak to your dentist. If your pain suddenly gets worse a number of days later, you’ll want to call your dentist right away so they can rule out an infection.
Final Thoughts
After a healing period of one to two weeks, you’ll probably be able to go back to a normal diet. New bone and gum tissue will develop over the extraction site in addition. though, having a missing tooth can cause teeth to shift, affecting your bite.
You may long to ask your doctor about restoring the extracted tooth to avoid this from happening. This can be completed with an implant, fixed bridge, or denture.