Tooth Extractions
Tooth extractions may sound like more of a problem than a fix for a dental issue, but it can be instrumental in preserving your oral health. The office of Russell B.Fox DMD provides safe tooth extractions when they’re necessary to improve your oral health or functioning. To learn more about tooth extractions and find out if a tooth extraction is necessary to preserve your health or comfort, call us today.
Extractions FAQ’s
What is a tooth extraction?
Put simply, a tooth extraction is the careful removal of a problematic tooth by a dentist. Before a tooth extraction, your dentist injects a numbing anesthetic near the tooth to keep you from feeling the pain of the procedure. If you’re having multiple teeth extracted at one time, they may give you anesthesia to sedate you.
Next, your dentist rocks your tooth until it becomes loose. Then, they use a tool called a forceps to grab onto the tooth and carefully remove it.
If your tooth is a molar or if it lies below your gums, your dentist may make an incision in your gums to better access and loosen the tooth. In some cases, they may need to remove the tooth in pieces rather than all at once.
Why do I need a tooth extraction?
There are several reasons why your dentist may recommend a tooth extraction. Usually, an extraction is the last resort for a problem that is otherwise unsolvable without it.
You may need an extraction if:
- Your teeth are crowded together
- The tooth is irreparably infected or decayed
- The tooth is structurally damaged beyond repair
- You have gum disease around the tooth
Wisdom tooth extraction is a common procedure that many people undergo to prevent crowding, damage to their other teeth, or pain as they grow in. Your dentist might also suggest an extraction to make room for your teeth as braces work to align them.
What is the recovery process like after a tooth extraction?
After a tooth extraction, you can expect to have a sore mouth for a few days. In total, it takes your mouth between seven and ten days to heal entirely after an extraction.
To make your recovery as smooth as possible, we suggest that you:
- Leave the gauze in place for three to four hours
- Rest for 24 hours after the extraction
- Eat soft foods
- Take any painkillers or medications as prescribed
- Avoid smoking
- Avoid using straws to drink
- Apply an ice pack for 10 minutes at a time
- Prop your head up with pillows as you sleep
- Keep your mouth clean without rinsing vigorously
They may give you additional instructions to ensure an easy recovery. To avoid complications, be sure to follow them closely and ask questions for clarity.