Tooth Extraction What You Need to Know

Dental health professionals focus on ensuring your teeth remain in optimum health to last a long time. However, they may need to extract your teeth due to unavoidable issues. Read on to learn when tooth extraction in Bronxville is necessary and what it entails.

What Is Tooth Extraction?

Your teeth can get damaged through decay or dental trauma. This may lead to severe dental pain, discomfort and chewing difficulties. When this happens, the dentist at general dentistry in Bronxville will treat the tooth. They will perform various procedures to correct the damage and restore functionality.

However, they may not be successful if the tooth is severely decayed or damaged. Therefore, the dentist will recommend pulling the tooth entirely out of its socket. This procedure is known as tooth extraction. The process may also be necessary if you have an impacted tooth or severe gum disease. Sometimes, they pull out a tooth or two as part of orthodontics.

There are two types of tooth extraction performed by a dentist, surgical and simple. Simple tooth extraction occurs when a substantial portion of the affected tooth is visible above the gums. The dentist will use dental tools known as elevators and forceps. They loosen the tooth and remove it from its alveolar socket.

A surgical extraction is more invasive as the dentist will need to cut into your gum near the tooth to remove it. Sometimes, they may remove the bone surrounding the tooth. In addition, they may section the tooth into small pieces for easier extraction. Fortunately, you will receive anesthesia before extraction to prevent pain. You will also get a sedative to keep you relaxed.

How to Take Dental Care After the Extraction

After tooth extraction in Bronxville, recovery will take a few days. Therefore, you must care for the site to enhance healing and prevent complications. The dentist will give you specific instructions, depending on the type of extraction and individual needs. Below are general instructions you can expect during recovery after a dental extraction.

1. The dentist will place gauze on your tooth socket to help reduce the bleeding and aid in clot formation. You should bite down on this pad, leaving it in place for about three hours or until it is soaked and then change it. Do not remove it until the bleeding stops.
2. After tooth removal, your gums and mouth will remain numb for a few hours due to the anesthesia used. Therefore, do not eat or drink anything until the numbness wears off. This prevents biting your tongue or the inner part of the cheeks.
3. Your gums and cheek near the treated area will swell after the procedure. You can alleviate the swelling by placing an ice pack on the site for ten minutes at a time.
4. Avoid exerting physical activities for the first 24 hours after your extraction. Relax for the rest of the day to prevent excessive bleeding from the wound.
5. Do not rinse the mouth or spit forcefully within the first 24 hours post extraction. Doing so can interfere with the clot on your tooth socket, leading to the dry socket condition.
6. Avoid using tobacco products as they negatively impact the healing process. Smoking can also dislodge the blood clot, leading to a painful dry socket.
7. Once you start eating, consume soft foods to prevent agitating the socket wound. Ensure that your foods or drinks are not hot, spicy, acidic or sugary as they may affect the area. Avoid taking drinks with a straw, as the sucking pressure will dislodge the clot.
8. Your dentist will prescribe medication to ease the pain and prevent infections. Follow their instructions to ensure you are comfortable and heal fast.
9. Prepare a saline solution using half a teaspoon of salt and eight ounces of water. Use it to rinse your mouth frequently 24 hours after the process to help eliminate bacteria.
10. Brush and floss usually, but avoid the extraction site until it heals well.
11. Contact your dentist if you experience pain or bleeding from the wound after three days. Inform them about any signs of infection, including drainage, fever, pain or pus.

Contact us at Bronxville Dentistry, Michael Aviel DDS, for a safe and painless tooth extraction. We also provide tooth restoration procedures such as dental implants, bridges and dentures.