Tooth Extraction – Facts for Comfort
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Tooth extraction:
It has happened to all of us, child or adult. We all have experienced tooth extractions. A tooth extraction, is the most traumatic dental appointment there is. It is a scary thought to have our teeth pulled out, but consider about that dentistry has evolved over the past few decades and with the development of local anesthetics and improved dental extraction techniques, pulling out a tooth nowadays is relatively painless. If you’re worried the appointment, my advice is to have some sedative medication.
Why tooth extraction?
Dentists usually perform tooth extraction as the last resort and even if you take all the necessary steps to keep your teeth healthy, sometimes, it might not be enough. There can be several reasons for tooth extraction: decay, trauma to the tooth, need for other orthodontic procedures or infections.
The procedure:
There are two types of extraction procedures:
- Simple extraction – It is where the tooth which is going to be pulled out is visible and the dentist proceeds to loosen the tooth with an instrument and uses forceps to remove it.
- Surgical extraction – It is usually done on impacted or not easily accessible teeth (still partially or completely cover by the gum), or teeth that may have been broken off at the gum line or have not erupted yet. The surgical extraction requires a careful and precise preliminary incision of the gum, which is essential in creating an entrance, enabling an easier access to the tooth. Wisdom teeth, if problematic, can be divided into several sections to facilitate the extraction.
The surgery is performed usually under local anesthesia which can be applied for the simple extraction, too.
After procedure tips for speedy recovery:
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- You will be biting on gauze while you are waiting. This keeps pressure on and helps in stopping the bleeding.
- Sit still for a few minutes immediately after the appointment. You want to be sure that a blood clot has formed before you get up, because you could provoke bleeding.
- After you leave the office, you should be somewhat still, without straining activity.
- For pain, after a simple extraction, you should take Tylenol, ibuprofen or another over-the-counter pain remedy.
- There may be swelling afterward, especially after extensive surgery. Swelling occurs the first day and then usually peaks the second day.
- Put ice packs on your face to reduce swelling.
- Eat soft and cool foods for a few days.
- Start the day after surgery, swish with warm salt water. Use half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of water.
- Don’t smoke and use a straw after surgery.
- Make sure that you drink plenty of non-alcoholic beverages.
- Use a pillow to raise your head while sleeping. It reduces the accumulation of fluids.
If you have any concerns, or if you don’t feel well, call your dentist’s office and ask for advice.
Once you decide to have a tooth removed, consult your dentist as to what you need to do to replace the missing tooth.
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