Tooth extraction may become necessary due to damage or decay. The procedure involves removing a tooth entirely from its socket. To remove teeth, dentists use an elevator to loosen them and forceps to remove them entirely. In some cases, dentists may create incisions in the gums for better access. Following the removal, professionals clean and disinfect the socket.
Professionals categorize dental extractions into two types: surgical and simple extractions. Dentists perform surgical extractions before teeth erupt or when the teeth break at the gum line. Simple extractions involve loosening the teeth before using forceps to remove them.
After the procedure, dentists place gauze over the extraction site. Patients must keep firm pressure on the gauze to slow the bleeding and form a clot. Once the bleeding slows, individuals can remove the gauze. While complex extractions may take longer to heal, most people begin to feel better after a few days.
Patients must rest for at least 24 hours following the procedure. Rest promotes healing and keeps the heart rate low to prevent post-operative bleeding. Most dentists recommend limiting physical activity for the first 72 hours. When resting, individuals may prefer elevating their heads with extra pillows. The elevated position encourages healing and helps the blood clot.
There will be swelling present after the procedure. Patients can apply ice packs to their face for about 15 minutes at a time for the first 24 hours. Ice packs help reduce swelling and pain. Most people return to work or school within the first couple of days. However, if patients have strenuous jobs that involve physical labor, they should take a few more days off work.
Food can irritate an extraction. Individuals should avoid crunchy and hard foods during the first few days. Not only do hard foods cause pain, but some foods may dislodge the blood clot. Healing individuals require soft and nutritious foods. Some foods appropriate for healing after a tooth extraction include:
When it comes to drinks, patients cannot use straws. Straws may cause dry sockets or dislodge a clot.
Individuals need to continue to brush and floss their teeth following the procedure. However, they should avoid brushing or flossing around the extraction site. Dentists may suggest an antimicrobial mouthwash or saline solution. Patients can gently rinse their mouths and drain the water without spitting out the solution.
Patients should avoid all high-intensity exercise following an extraction. Professionals may suggest individuals avoid the gym for at least a week after the procedure. Some dentists prescribe painkillers and antibiotics after the procedure. Prescription drugs may cause dizziness or weakness and lead to accidents at the gym.
Additionally, painkillers mask the pain, and individuals may not pick up on the signs that their body needs to rest. If someone pulls a muscle during a workout, the pain medication may hide the signals.
Complicated extractions involve significant tissue manipulation. Some patients may need to wait as long as a month before performing high-intensity exercise. When exercising, patients should listen to their bodies and stop exercising if they experience the following:
Overworking the body can lead to prolonged healing time and complications.
Dry socket is one of the most common complications after an extraction. The condition develops when a blood clot becomes dislodged or never forms. The lack of a blood clot exposes the bone and nerves, resulting in pain.
Patients should avoid spitting and sneezing while healing. If individuals need to sneeze following the procedure, they should keep their mouths open to avoid increasing pressure in the mouth. Spitting also puts pressure on the mouth and affects blood clotting.
Individuals may feel tempted to probe their extraction site with their tongue. The new gap may feel unusual, but touching it can dislodge the healing clot and lead to complications like dry socket.
Tooth extraction is a standard dental procedure where dentists loosen and remove decayed or broken teeth. When teeth become damaged or infected, the removal can ease the pain and reduce harmful bacteria that may damage the gums and adjacent teeth. Most patients return to normal activities within 72 hours after the procedure. Taking care of oneself following the procedure can decrease the chance of complications.
Request an appointment here: https://whiteflintfamilydental.com or call White Flint Family Dental at (301) 273-1085 for an appointment in our Rockville office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Tooth Extraction in Rockville, MD.
Tooth extraction is typically used as a last resort, when a tooth is too damaged to be repaired. Wisdom teeth are the exception to this practice because they are the only set of teeth that most people do not need. Dentists often recommend extracting wisdom teeth even if they are healthy, and it is typically…
You may wonder what constitutes a dental emergency. Not every oral health issue requires urgent attention, as some matters can wait weeks or even months for a dentist to examine. However, for the most pressing conditions, you do not want to put off a visit to the dentist’s office. One of the most serious issues…
Some oral issues require emergency dental care. Waiting a few weeks before seeing a dentist will not be the ideal thing to do in these situations. Besides the unbearable pain that a patient will have to deal with if he or she decides to ignore a dental emergency that requires immediate assistance, it is also…
If you are someone with gaps in their smile, there are many options for replacing missing teeth available to you. A dental bridge is a time-honored solution for replacing missing teeth. Similar methods for replacing teeth have been used for thousands of years.A dental bridge is a single or series of false teeth, called pontics,…
Dental anxiety is common among children and adults. Thankfully, a family dentist has tools and techniques to help patients manage their anxiety while completing preventative and restorative dental work. This article will explore dental anxiety, how to manage it, and how to overcome it.Dental anxiety is when a patient feels fearful, stressed, or anxious about…
Oral health is integral to your overall health, and good dental hygiene is essential to maintain healthy teeth and gums. A family dentist not only helps to maintain healthy teeth and gums, but they also play an important role in preventing future dental problems. This blog will explore a family dentist's role in preventive dental…