We want to make sure that all our Sun Dental Group patients are well informed regarding their dental health and any procedures that we perform. Tooth extraction is one of the most common but also most misunderstood procedures. Our blog is prepared to clarify causes for tooth extraction, the extraction process, and what you need to understand on your recovery journey.

Why Are Tooth Extractions Necessary?

Tooth extractions are usually done for various reasons; common among them are:

Painful Decay or Infection: If a tooth is seriously decayed or infected, and the damage is beyond repair, the dentist may have to extract it to stop the infection from spreading to other teeth or even the jawbone.

Crowded Mouth: Orthodontic treatment might be necessary at some point, so a few teeth are extracted to prepare the mouth. For example, if your mouth is overcrowded, there might not be enough room for all your teeth to align themselves properly.

Periodontal (Gum) Disease: Advanced gum disease is an infection of the structures around the teeth and can cause the teeth to go loose. In such cases, it becomes imperative to extract them for the well-being of the surrounding teeth and gums.

Impacted Teeth: Third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth, are most likely impeded due to the lack of jaw space. It causes a partial eruption of the teeth, resulting in pain, infection, and other related dental conditions. These conditions generally require the removal of the tooth.

Damage from Trauma: Teeth that are badly affected by injury or trauma and are not restorable, either with a crown or filling, hence they have to be extracted.

The Extraction Process

Tooth extractions can broadly be divided into two categories: simple and surgical.

Simple Extraction: This is done on the teeth, which are easily visible in the oral cavity. It is done by loosening the tooth using an instrument known as an elevator and then extracting it using forceps. Simple extractions are usually done under local anesthesia, so the procedure is painless.

Surgical Removal: This kind of extraction is a much more complicated procedure involving a tooth that may not be easily accessible, such as an impacted wisdom tooth or a tooth broken at the gum line. Most extractions of this kind usually include an incision in the gum and sometimes even removal of the bone around the tooth. Such a procedure may be done with a local anesthetic, sedation, or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the case and the comfort of the patient.

What to Expect After Extraction

Recovery time is pretty quick after tooth extraction, but it is really important to follow all guidelines given by your dentist for aftercare, ensuring proper healing and no complications. Here are a few general tips:

Stop Bleeding: Bite down on the gauze pad that was placed over the extraction site with firm pressure for about 30–45 minutes. If bleeding continues, take the gauze out of your mouth and replace it with a new gauze pad.

Reduce Pain and Swelling: Apply an ice pack on the outside of the face to help eliminate any swelling. Over-the-counter painkillers or those prescribed by the dentist help alleviate pain.

Food and Drink: Stay on a soft diet and avoid chewing on the extraction site. Be sure to drink plenty of water, but do not use a straw, doing so can dislodge the blood clot and slow the healing process.

Dental Hygiene: Maintain cleanliness of the mouth. Do not brush the site of extraction for the first 24 hours; afterward, the mouth should be rinsed gently with warm, salty water to keep the mouth clean.

Avoid Smoking and Alcohol: They impair the natural healing process and may cause some complications, like dry socket, a very painful disorder in which the blood clot inside the extraction site is dislodged.

When to Call the Dentist

Most tooth extractions go through the healing process without any problem, but one must watch out for signs of complications. Get in touch with Sun Dental Group in cases of severe pain, prolonged bleeding, signs of infection (such as fever or pus), or if the extraction site does not seem to be healing properly.

At Sun Dental Group, your comfort and well-being throughout each treatment are very important to us. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you might have regarding a tooth extraction. We are here to put your dental health at the top of the priority list!