Tooth Extractions Did you know that tooth extractions are one of the most common dental procedures performed today at Greater Ohio Oral & Facial Surgery? What is a tooth extraction? How can it help you? We'll provide some helpful tips for what to do if you have an infected tooth, or teeth, and offer advice on how to take care of your mouth after a procedure like this. What is a Tooth Extraction?A tooth extraction is a dental procedure that removes one or more teeth from the mouth. A dentist will typically use an instrument called forceps to remove the tooth following local anesthesia. The anesthesia numbs the area of the gums and jaw where they intend on removing it. We use Novocain during the procedure to reduce pain, as well as other methods like nitrous oxide sedation for patients who may be anxious about visiting a dentist. Oftentimes, people have their wisdom teeth extracted during adolescence because they are on the cusp of needing braces and not needing these teeth. We will also extract a tooth if it is cracked in half or has an abscessed root that becomes infected, so you may be given antibiotics to prevent illness. In some other cases, we might suggest extracting your wisdom teeth if there are too many crowded together, which can lead to problems with eruption and crowding of other teeth nearby. How Do You Get Rid of the Pain After A Tooth Extraction?Tooth extraction can be uncomfortable, but we will provide you with pain relief medication. Pain management, which may include prescription medications and ice packs after the procedure, should lessen discomfort within 24 hours of the dental surgery. Ice, in particular, helps reduce swelling and inflammation associated with this type of surgical intervention. Painkillers are designed for short-term use, so it's best not to take them more than necessary, or they could cause stomach upset and interfere with other medications prescribed by your physician. When considering your options as far as over-the-counter drugs go, read labels carefully; many contain acetaminophen (Tylenol) that may interact negatively if taken together with blood thinners. What Happens If I Don't Have an Infected Tooth Removed?If you don't have the bad tooth removed, many consequences can happen. One of those consequences is an infection which can cause a fever and swelling in your mouth or face. The infected area may also be tender to touch, and it will worsen over time instead of getting better. If left untreated, the infection could spread through the body, causing more serious problems. How Long Does the Extraction Site Take To Heal?The healing process takes a few weeks and may include tenderness, swelling, numbness, or tingling. You should avoid chewing on the side of your mouth that was operated on for at least two to three days after surgery because this could lead to complications such as pain in the jaw area, tooth sensitivity, or infection. The doctor will give you specific instructions about how much time you must wait before eating hard foods. If you have any concerns, please reach out to Greater Ohio Oral & Facial Surgery at (380) 261-4130, and we'll be glad to assist in any way we can. |
