Dentistry is a branch of medicine that focuses on preventing and treating oral health issues. Preserving your natural tooth – or as much of your natural tooth as they can –is the main goal of every dental treatment.
Your teeth are extremely resilient, and they do so much for us every day, but once in a while, they may require more extensive care. Such treatments can encompass root canal therapy or having your tooth extracted at a dental clinic near you. But, regardless of what you may have heard or what you may think, receiving a tooth extraction is a common procedure.
The biggest concern that most people have when their dentist recommended a tooth extraction is how much it will hurt. It’s completely normal to feel anxious or fearful, but rest assured, our dentists in Lethbridge are all highly qualified. You’ll be in great hands the entire time. Nevertheless, don’t be afraid to let our dentists know if you have any questions or concerns.
Reasons to Consider Receiving a Tooth Extraction
A tooth extraction can be a very beneficial thing regarding your oral health, especially if you’re dealing with one of the following issues:
- Overcrowding.
- Your baby teeth are interfering with the emergence of new adult teeth.
- Your tooth is diseased or decayed.
- If your tooth cannot be saved through root canal therapy.
- In preparation for orthodontic treatment.
- Your teeth are severely fractured.
Receiving a tooth extraction from a dentist near you can save you a lot of time and money, as you’ll require less dental treatment in the future.
Types of Tooth Extractions
There are two types of tooth extractions in Lethbridge that you can receive: a simple tooth extraction and a complex, or surgical tooth extraction.
Simple tooth extractions are done on a tooth that is visible in your mouth. Your dentist loosens the tooth and then removes it with forceps.
Surgical tooth extractions are performed on teeth that are not visible or haven’t fully come in. This process requires dentists to make an incision into your gum line in order to reach the tooth. The most common version of this type of tooth extraction is wisdom teeth extraction.
The Process of Receiving a Tooth Extraction in Lethbridge
Before you undergo any dental procedure, make sure that you speak to your dentist first. They’ll be able to walk you through the process from start to finish so you know what to expect. Your dentist will also be able to identify whether this particular treatment is suitable for your specific case.
If so, the procedure for receiving a simple and surgical tooth extraction is extremely similar, aside from a few details.
The first step involves examining your mouth and taking a series of x-rays to develop a comprehensive image of your oral health. Then, they’ll administer a local anesthesia injection to help keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.
Next comes the extraction of the tooth. Since your tooth is buried in your jawbone, it has to be gently loosened. Your tooth will be rocked back and forth until it is sufficiently loosened from the ligament that attaches it to the socket. Then, forceps are employed to fully remove it.
Once this is done, your dentist will proceed to close your socket. They’ll make sure that the space is thoroughly cleaned of any bits of blood and smooth out any sharp edges surrounding the space. Finally, your dentist will stitch up the surgical site.
Don’t be alarmed if you experience some minor bleeding or facial swelling; this is normal. Your dentist will give you gauze to help stop the bleeding and an ice pack for your cheek. They’ll most likely prescribe Advil or Tylenol to reduce the pain in the days following the procedure. Always be sure to follow any instructions that your dentist provides you.
Now, the most pressing question surrounding tooth extractions: is it painful?
The use of an anesthetic significantly reduces your ability to feel sensations while the dentist works. However, although the anesthesia targets the nerves in your mouth so that you cannot feel pain, it doesn’t eliminate all feeling. You’ll still be able to feel a slight pressure when the dentist is rocking your tooth from its socket and when it’s fully extracted.
If you do feel any pain, you most likely require a further dose of anesthesia. Don’t hesitate to inform your dentist if this is indeed the case. You deserve to be relaxed at all times.
Keep in mind that you may feel some discomfort after the procedure while your mouth begins to heal. Some experience a throbbing sensation or an ache near the surgical site.
Post-Tooth Extraction Care
It’s important that you give yourself time to heal in the days after your procedure. That said, here are some things that will help you with this:
- Use gauze to staunch the bleeding. Bite down on it firmly but gently. You want a clot to form in the socket where your tooth used to be.
- Take the painkillers prescribed by your dentist.
- Don’t rinse or spit after the procedure. Again, this will help a blood clot form.
- Don’t use a straw for the first twenty-four hours after you receive treatment.
- Avoid smoking; this can slow down the healing process.
- Avoid consuming hard or crunchy foods for the next day or two. Foods like soup, yogurt, and applesauce are especially great.
- When you sleep, prop your head up when you sleep to reduce the potential of bleeding.
- You can still brush and floss your mouth but avoid the surgical site.
If you begin to experience harsher bleeding, signs of infection like a fever, pus, or chills, vomiting, nausea, redness and swelling, or chest pain, then you should seek emergency dental care as soon as you can in order to get things back to normal.
Here at Absolute Dental, we want to help you regain control of your oral health. Call or visit our website to book an appointment today! We look forward to working with you!
