What is tooth extraction

Your dentist will pack it with a gauze pad and instruct you to bite on it to help stop the bleeding. Under normal conditions, the bleeding stops after a few minutes.

Some pain will persist even after the extraction, so your dentist will recommend the intake of pain medications such as ibuprofen in the next few days. Note: It is best to keep away from aspirin as it has blood thinning properties and may make your mouth bleed. It is generally safe to resume normal daily activities after the tooth is pulled. However, you will be restricted from performing any strenuous physical activities or lifting in the next 24 hours.

To promote faster healing, your dentist will recommend these along with your pain medications:. Pain from extraction usually disappears after the second day. However, gum tissues usually take three weeks to heal completely. After the anesthesia wears off after a few hours, it is normal to feel pangs of pain in the extraction area.

Some swelling and residual bleeding may also be observed. However, if the pain or the bleeding is still uncontrollable even after four hours, you may need to contact your dentist again. More importantly, you must see your dentist if you experience the following:. Depending on your case, your dentist may prescribe replacing your missing tooth with restorative options such as implants, dentures or bridges. References :. Definition and Overview Tooth extraction is a procedure where a tooth or teeth are removed by an oral or maxillofacial surgeon using dental tools and equipment.

Reasons for Tooth Extraction Keeping the teeth healthy is very important for aesthetic reasons and proper maintenance of masticatory function of the mouth. Among these reasons are: Damage - Tooth that is severely damaged due to decay or trauma and can no longer be repaired through restorative procedures would need to be pulled out. Preparing for Tooth Extraction Tooth extraction is a safe process that does not take more than an hour. United States US English. Submit an Idea. Brand Logo.

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Products Categories Goals Brands. Our Commitment Our Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program brings oral health education to more than half a billion children around the world. Learn more about our commitment to oral health education. Top Articles. When Is Tooth Extraction Necessary? Preparation Before removing a tooth, your dentist will thoroughly review your medical and dental history and take the appropriate X-rays. Tooth Extraction Process There are two types of extractions you might have: A simple extraction is the removal of a tooth that is visible in your mouth.

During a simple extraction, your dentist will numb the tooth and gum tissue and loosen the tooth with an instrument called an elevator before removing it with dental forceps. A surgical extraction is a more complex procedure used for a tooth that may have broken off at the gum line or has not come into the mouth yet. People may experience mild facial swelling in the area of the extraction. This is normal. Applying ice to the face may help alleviate the swelling.

Disturbing or irritating the area can keep blood clots from forming effectively and slow the healing process. When chewing becomes comfortable again, slowly reintroduce solid foods. The dentist will recommend chewing on the side opposite from the extraction site until the wound has fully healed.

Continue to brush and floss as usual after a tooth extraction, but be careful not to disturb the blood clotting. Starting the day after surgery, people can also rinse every few hours with warm salt water. To make this, add half a teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of water.

One complication of tooth extraction is dry socket. This is not an infection — it involves bone in the area of the extraction becoming exposed, either because the blood has not clotted or because the clot has become dislodged. Dry socket can cause intense, radiating pain that usually starts a few days after the procedure. It can also cause bad breath. If a person has severe pain that starts 2—3 days after the surgery, they should speak to their dentist.

Treatment will involve rinsing the area and placing medicinal paste on top of the exposed bone to protect it. Infection is another complication, and it can occur when bacteria infect the gumline in and around the socket within 1—2 days after surgery. If a person has experienced no complications during recovery, they may not need to follow up with their dentist.

Stitches usually dissolve and do not need removal. A dentist or oral surgeon may schedule a 1-week follow-up appointment to check how the extraction site is healing. The cost of having a wisdom tooth removed also depends on the complexity of the procedure — whether, for example, the tooth is fully visible, partially covered by gum or bone, or fully impacted. Additional sedation, such as nitrous oxide, will increase the cost, but a local anesthetic is included in the price of the extraction.

Also, the extraction fee does not include the cost of any initial examination and X-rays required to tell whether the tooth needs removing. It is important to have a consultation with a dentist or oral surgeon to discuss all the costs of the procedure ahead of time. Before having a tooth extracted, a person will meet with their dentist or oral surgeon to discuss the procedure.

During this consultation, the doctor will take a full medical history. They will ask about past and ongoing health issues and treatments to ensure that the right safety measures are in place.

The person should ask about costs and raise any concerns about additional sedation. Before extracting the tooth, the dentist or oral surgeon will numb the area with a local anesthetic. Although the procedure is not painful, it may cause discomfort. A person can do several things to help speed their recovery. Ultimately, it is crucial to avoid disturbing or irritating the extraction site. This will help the blood to clot and the wound to heal. Tooth cavities can occur when there is a buildup of plaque on the teeth.

People can prevent cavities by practicing good oral hygiene. Learn more about…. Antibiotics may be an effective treatment option for a tooth infection. There are many different types of antibiotic and many other potential remedies.