No one wants to hear that they need a tooth removed but sometimes it’s necessary when the tooth is past the point of saving. Our Washington, MI, dentist will recommend if there is extensive decay, advanced gum disease, a dental abscess, or another condition that prevents the use of other restorative procedures.
What Happens During a Tooth Extraction?
The first step in any procedure is to make sure that you are comfortable. Before getting started with the extraction, our dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and gum tissue.
We’ll then loosen the tooth with a dental tool known as an ‘elevator’. Once properly loose, the tooth can be removed using dental forceps. If the tooth is impacted, additional steps may be needed before the tooth can be extracted.
It’s important to keep the area clean after the extraction so infection can be prevented. To help stop the bleeding, our dentist will place a gauze pad into the socket and instruct you to gently bite down.
Aftercare Following the Procedure
Taking the time to heal is important after you’ve had a tooth removed. To reduce your chance of developing an infection and limit your discomfort, our dentist encourages you to follow given aftercare instructions.
For a fast recovery, it is recommended that you:
- Use pain medications as prescribed by our dentist.
- Maintain a firm, but gentle bite on the gauze placed by our dentist as this will promote the formation of a needed clot in the tooth socket as well as reduce bleeding.
- Rest an ice bag on the affected area for 10 minutes at a time to keep swelling down.
- Minimize general activity for a few days.
- Avoid drinking from a straw and rinsing or spitting forcefully for the first 24 hours.
- Do not smoke
- Stick to soft foods that are easy to eat like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and applesauce for a day or two.
If you have any questions or are concerned about something in particular, please call our dental office and we will be happy to help you.
Make An Appointment
Although a tooth extraction may sound intimidating and scary, there’s nothing to fear. The procedure is straightforward and it is performed by a professional. Our , has the years of experience needed to extract a tooth with minimal patient discomfort. Contact us online or call Romeo Family Dentistry at (586) 752-3589 to set up an appointment today.