Tooth Extraction – All You Need To Know

Whether you are dealing with a cracked tooth you did not plan for or your wisdom teeth; there are many different reasons why you may need a tooth extraction. There are two basic types of tooth extraction – a simple tooth extraction and a surgical tooth extraction. A simple extraction involves the tooth being loosened around your tooth. Once it is dislodged from the bone around it, the dentist will pull it out properly. This type of surgery only requires local anesthetic, as it is a routine procedure. 

What to expect from the procedure:

If you are having a tooth extracted, before the procedure you will need to speak to your dentist about any medications you take and your dental history. Your dentist will conduct an x-ray so that he or she can determine the treatment that is going to be best for your needs. This is because your dentist is going to cut into the gum tissue and possibly the bone around the tooth in order to remove a tooth that is broken or impacted. No matter the type of extraction you are having, you should feel some pressure, but you should not feel any pinching or pain. Make sure you let your dentist know straight away if you are experiencing any discomfort that is beyond the pressure your dentist has described. 

Recovery

In terms of recovery, it is advisable to limit activity for at least one day, potentially two, after the produce. Giving yourself a couple of days to rest will enable your mouth to heal. It is also important to make sure you do not do any heavy exercise. This is important because you don’t want to get the blood flowing too much while you have a delicate clot in the extraction site. 

How can I take care of the extraction site after the procedure?

There are a number of different steps you can take in order to aid the recovery process. This includes the following…

• Keep your head elevated for three days without lying flat on it completely. 
• Your dentist will place a gauze in the socket, so make sure you bite on this and keep it there for three to four hours.
• If the area is still bleeding after the four hours have passed, it is a good idea to put a dampened tea bag onto the wound. 
• Don’t do anything that would create suction for at least 24 hours, i.e. spit, rinse your mouth, or use a straw.
• Do not brush the extraction site or use mouthwash for a number of days.
• Stick to soft foods for the first few days after the extraction.

During the tooth removal procedure, you will have local anesthesia inject directly into the mouth for a simple extraction. This is the type of numbing that is used for routine dental work. However, you may need both local anesthesia and general anesthesia if you are having a wisdom tooth extracted or a surgical tooth extracted.