What is Tooth Extraction, and why is it Recommended?

A tooth extraction is necessary for several reasons, including decay and severe damage. It’s among the most common dental procedures. Tooth extractions help eliminate bacteria and improve your dental health.

What is Tooth Extraction?

This is a dental procedure while you are dentist removes a tooth from its socket. Sometimes it’s referred to as pulling a tooth.

When is Tooth Removal or Extraction Recommended?

Our dentists in San Diego, CA, prefer saving your tooth whenever possible. However, other restorative methods, such as dental crowns and fillings, aren’t enough. In such cases where your teeth are severely damaged to the point of no repair, then extraction is necessary. The dentist might recommend tooth removal if you have the following:

• An impacted tooth
• A cavity or severe tooth decay
• A fractured tooth
• Severe gum disease
• Having crowded teeth
• Tooth luxation

What Happens Before a Tooth Extraction?

Your dentist In Scripps Poway Dental Care will assess your affected tooth and its surrounding gums. The dentist will take dental x-rays to determine the level of damage and check bone levels.

Ensure you inform your dentist about any medications, supplements, or vitamins you may take. Once the dentists have gathered all the information, they’ll discuss the sedation and treatment options with you.

What Happens During Tooth Extraction

During tooth extraction near you, your dentist will first administer local anesthesia to numb the affected truth and the surrounding gum tissue. Next, your dentist will loosen your tooth using specialized dental instruments and carefully lift it from its socket.

There are times well your dentist will need to make incisions in the gums to assess the tooth, especially if it’s much decayed. Once the tooth is extracted, they will clean and disinfect the socket. Your dentist might also place a dental bone graft to help prevent bone loss in the jaw. They will also place stitches to aid in healing.

What Happens After a Tooth Extraction?

When the extraction process is complete, your dentist places a piece of gauze over the extraction area. They’ll request you to bite down with firm and steady pressure. This will help in forming blood clots since it slows bleeding.

The clots help in healing and reduce the risk of dry sockets. You will then be asked to take the gauze out once the bleeding has stopped. However, you might continue experiencing light bleeding for the first 24 hours.

The Time Taken to Heal from a Tooth Extraction

The Recovery time depends on the complexity of each person. However, most individuals will return to their normal activities after a few days. Even though you’ll be able to return to your daily activities within two to three days, the jawbone ticks some weeks to heal completely.

So if you plan to replace your missing tooth or teeth with a dental implant after the extraction, you’ll need to wait a few months to heal completely.

What are the Complications and Risks of Tooth Extraction?

Tooth extraction carries some risks that include

• Dry socket
• Delayed healing
• Nerve injury
• Post-surgical infection

Aftercare of Tooth Extraction

After your tooth extraction in San Diego, the dentist gives detailed aftercare instructions. Some of the general guidelines include

• Keeping the extraction site clean. You should rinse the sides with your mouth wash two to three times a day. Also, avoid brushing near the area of the extraction site until your dentist advises you that it’s safe to do so. Floss and brush all the other areas in your mouth as you normally do.
• Take all the medicines as directed. The dentist might prescribe painkillers and antibiotics. It’s essential to take these medications are stated. You can also take pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• Avoid activities requiring energy for at least two days. If you experience an elevated heart rate, it might increase postoperative discomfort and bleeding. You should skip the gym for the first two to three days. Ensure you ask your dentist the safe time to return to your normal routines.

What to Eat After a Tooth Extraction

You should avoid crunchy foods for the first week after extraction. Instead, ensure you take soft foods such as yogurt, pasta, and rice. Also, avoid drinking straws because they can dislodge blood clots causing dry sockets.