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Sometimes, extraction is the only remedy for a tooth that is badly damaged due to decay, infection, or injury. Another reason that may force your dentist to extract a tooth is overcrowding, to allow the rest of the teeth to align properly. Statistics show that many people lose one or more teeth in their lifetime due to various reasons.
Most people cringe when they hear they need a tooth extraction. Some fear the thought of pain, while others generally do not like the idea of dentists poking inside their mouths. But tooth extraction is fast, easy, and can be painless if done right by a professional dentist.
To recover fully, patients must exercise aftercare to regain their full oral health, function, and beautiful smile. Without proper aftercare, complications may arise and even lead to more serious dental issues.
Oral surgeons or dentists perform teeth extraction. They inject local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth. Although rare, they may have to use a general anesthetic in some cases. They use forceps to grab the affected tooth, gently rock it to loosen it from the jaw bone, and pull it out.
In the cases of an impacted tooth, the dentist may cut away some bone and gum tissues covering the tooth before removing it. If pulling out the tooth is difficult, the dentist may have to remove it in pieces. You may experience mild bleeding after the extraction. However, the dentist will place a gauze pad in the socket to promote blood clotting.
Patients should rinse their mouth immediately after tooth extraction. Your dentist will recommend some painkillers to help manage the pain after the local anesthesia wears off. If you are experiencing swelling, you can apply ice to the side of the face in intervals. Ensure you get plenty of rest after the extraction, and eat soft foods and drinks.
After the first day, rinse your mouth using warm, salty water. Continue brushing and flossing as usual, but be careful to avoid the open socket. Brushing and flossing ensure that bacteria do not accumulate in the mouth, which can lead to infection. You can resume your diet as your socket heals, but avoid hard foods for a few days.
To speed up healing, avoid:
It takes a few days to two weeks to fully recover after tooth extraction. However, there are times where you may experience some complications, prolonging the recovery time. In some cases, you may get an infection that can lead to complications. Signs that you have an infection after removing a tooth include:
If you experience any or all these symptoms, you should contact your dentist immediately. Once you have recovered, you may want to talk to your dentist about tooth replacement options to regain your beautiful smile.
To know more about recovering from tooth extraction, visit Bronxville Family Dental at our office in Bronxville, New York. You can call 914-935-7600 today to schedule an appointment.
