Tooth Extractions
Tooth extractions, or exodontia, are the removal of a tooth. Reasons for tooth extractions include decayed, broken, or infected teeth. They may also be removed to make room for other teeth or orthodontic treatment. Throughout history, tooth removal has been used to treat a variety of illnesses before the discovery of antibiotics, as chronic tooth infections were linked to a number of ailments. There are two main types of tooth extractions:
Simple extractions and surgical extractions. Simple extractions are performed on visible teeth in the mouth under local anesthesia. The tooth is loosened from its socket and then removed with dental forceps. A surgical extraction is a more complicated procedure done on teeth that have broken under the gum line or have not fully erupted.
You can expect the extraction site to bleed for a little while after the surgery. You should put the gauze on the extraction site and apply pressure on it and change it when it becomes soaked. If bleeding continues for a long time, you should call the office or go to the Emergency Room. Rest, but do not lie flat because lying flat could prolong the bleeding. You can also use an ice pack on tooth extractions for the pain and swelling.
Wisdom teeth extractions are a fairly common procedure. Wisdom teeth often cause problems as they are trying to protrude through the gums. When a wisdom tooth only emerges partially, this can make the tooth hard to clean and makes it easy for an infection, called pericoronitis, to develop. It will usually go away on its own, but it causes swelling and pain in the area repeatedly.
You should be limited to soft foods for a few days after your surgery. Make sure you do not use a straw. The sucking motion can loosen your sutures and slow the clotting process. The same goes for smoking. If you have prolonged pain, bleeding, irritation, or don’t feel that the extraction site is healing properly, call the office for a follow-up.
Some recommended foods are:
Pudding
Shakes
Yogurt
Mashed Potatoes
Ice Cream
Soups & soft foods
If you have any questions, please call Arlington Advanced Dental Care at 703-974-7501
