Tooth Extractions: Procedure and Aftercare

What Are Tooth Extractions?

Tooth extractions near you are treatments that entail permanently removing a tooth from your jawbone. Usually, these dental treatments treat damaged teeth, ridding your mouth of a diseased tooth that could further compromise the health of your oral cavity. Tooth extractions in Ellicott City are among the dental protocols in dentistry done only on a need basis. If a dentist near you does not consider it necessary to perform a tooth extraction (s)he will recommend a different procedure to save your teeth.

What Is the Process of Removing Teeth?

The process of tooth extractions at Excel Dental Care typically differs for patients. It usually depends on the state of the tooth before removal. The standard procedure usually involves numbing the mouth first to lower pain and discomfort. Through back and forth rocking, the dentist will pull out the damaged tooth. This process should work for most teeth. However, when a tooth is problematic, the dentist may have to break the tooth into small pieces that are easier to remove than the whole tooth at a go.

Less typical procedures for removing teeth involve minor oral surgery. The dentist 21042 makes a small incision on your gums to expose the entire tooth. This procedure is usually for impacted teeth that are hard to access when covered by the gums.

When Are Tooth Extractions Necessary?

It is up to your dentist Ellicott City to determine whether or not a tooth extraction is necessary for treating your oral cavity. The primary factor to influence the decision regards whether the tooth is salvageable. For some teeth, a dentist can come up with at least one dental approach to repair and restore the teeth. However, it is not always the case for all damaged teeth. Some reasons you need a tooth extraction are:

1. Severe tooth pain – toothaches are the most common types of dental pain. A damaged tooth creates a vulnerability for infection to the inside layers. It means that the nerve endings, blood vessels, and other soft tissue will get damaged, resulting in severe tooth pain. One way to treat such pain is by removing the tooth.

2. Impacted teeth – occurs when a tooth fails to erupt correctly so that part of it remains stuck underneath the gums. Such teeth cause swelling, redness, and pain to your jawbone and gums, making it difficult to eat properly.

3. Crowded mouth – occurs when you have more teeth in your mouth than your jawbone can accommodate. It means that they will be oddly spaced so that some teeth overlap. The solution to such a problem is a tooth extraction to remove excess teeth, followed by orthodontic procedures to restore the alignment of the teeth.

4. Problematic wisdom teeth – are the last set of molars to grow in an adult’s mouth. Since they are last to grow, they may cause various problems, including swelling, pain, and even increase the risk of dental infections. Pulling out wisdom teeth is a common procedure in dentistry that helps to optimize the functionality and general health of patients’ mouths.

Aftercare Tips for Tooth Extractions

Regardless of the procedure for removing your tooth, prepare for life after the extraction treatment, especially in the short term. The goal should be to nurse your extraction wound cautiously to prevent infection. Some tips include:

1. Take over-the-counter pain relievers – your dentist will prescribe them to you to help manage your pain levels as your wound heals.

2. Allow the wound to heal – your body will naturally begin the healing process in a day or two. The indicator for the beginning of healing is the formation of a blood clot on the wound. Resist the urge to dislodge the clot, whether with your tongue or with a sharpie.

3. Eat soft foods – until your mouth is healed enough to handle hard foods. You will know you are ready to eat hard foods when the tenderness, swelling, and redness of the wound wears off.

4. Cold compress – icing the tooth will help manage any inflammation and pain you may experience after your procedure.

5. Keep your head elevated – the idea is to prevent blood pooling in your head, which will only intensify your pain and swelling.