Tooth Extraction- Is It Necessary?
At Chinook Mall Family Dental Clinic it is priority to keep the integrity of your teeth, mouth and gums. No one wants a tooth removed unless absolutely necessary and as part of his philosophy Dr. Charchuk always looks first to restore. There are times however that extracting a tooth becomes unavoidable. Listed are the three main reasons.
Your Wisdom Teeth Are Impacted
Dr. Charchuk does not always extract wisdom teeth. If there is enough room in the mouth for this third set of molars and they are growing in straight, they may be able to remain in the mouth. However, it does not work this way for most people. It is more common for our patients to visit our dental practice complaining that their wisdom teeth hurt. This can happen when they grow in impacted. An impacted tooth can be painless. You may not even realize it’s there. However, when an impacted wisdom tooth tries to come in, the flap of gum on top of it can become infected and swollen. This can hurt. You might even feel pain in nearby teeth, or in the ear on that side of your face. An impacted tooth can lead to an infection called pericoronitis. If untreated, this infection can spread to the throat or into the neck. Severe infections require a hospital stay and surgery.
You Were In An Accident
We see it mostly in children and athletes but dental accidents do happen unfortunately. Whether its a bad fall or a hit to the side of the face, the trauma to a tooth can lead to the extraction of it. If possible though, we will restore the tooth using dental bonding, dental veneers, or dental crowns. Course of action will depend on the urgency.
An Infection Has Spread
Our Chinook Mall Dental Team recommend coming in at the first sign of a toothache so we can treat the infection before it reaches the point of being severe. However, if you have delayed and are now at the point of no return, this is when you may need a tooth extraction just to rid your mouth of the infection quickly. While not ideal, we can eliminate the source of the problem, prescribe you antibiotics, and then replace the tooth or teeth in the future with dental crowns and bridges or dental implants.
If an extraction is needed there are some simple guidelines for healing quickly and properly.
Do’s
Rest: Try to get some rest after Tooth Extraction. You may feel great but don’t exercise or do too much activity for at least 24 hours. When resting, keep your head in a slightly upright position on the pillow.
Let it clot: Let the clot be formed on the tooth extraction site, which covers it and allows it to heal. After the procedure your dentist will give you a piece of gauze to bite on near the extraction site. Try to bite down and keep it in place for at least an hour afterwards. This will put pressure over the wound and help it to stop bleeding. However, make sure you don’t chew on gauze piece. If you can keep it in place longer that’s best, but make sure to change the gauze after roughly every half hour, depending on the amount of bleeding. If once the clot forms it becomes dislodge the nerve endings then become exposed. The nerves and capillaries spasm and constrict, limiting essential blood supply, which causes delay in healing. If the bleeding persists for a few hours after the procedure then try putting a wet tea bag on the site. The tannic acid present in black tea helps to aide in the clotting process.
Ice Packs: Apply an ice pack on the side of your face where surgery was performed. This is done to reduce swelling. While on simple extractions swelling isn’t accompanied, in cases requiring severe cheek retractions swelling can occur after operation. The swelling after an extraction may not occur immediately, but can continue to swell for a few days, reaching a maximum at the 2nd or 3rd day. Application of the ice pack is most effective during the day of extraction as after 24 hours there is no significant beneficial effect. Ice packs should be applied 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for 1-2 hour time periods.
Don’ts
Don’t smoke: For at least 48 hours after tooth extraction do not smoke. The chemicals in the smoke can affect the clot and hence the chances of developing dry socket 3-4 days after tooth extraction increases.
Don’t eat solids immediately after: While you still have numbness it’s best not to eat solids. When you start feeling your jaws you can start taking solids. After tooth extraction, take soft and liquid foods like soups, mashed potatoes, yogurts, milkshakes, smoothies etc.
Don’t skip the medicines: If antibiotics are given they should be taken regularly. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are to be taken after tooth extraction. It help in reducing the pain and swelling. If the pain continues even after two days of tooth extraction and bleeding starts then you should call your dentist.
Don’t ever take aspirin: (Can take ibuprofen). Aspiring being a blood thinner will delay in clot formation thereby will prevent healing. Take the medications as prescribed by the physician and consult your dentist before taking any medicine.
Avoid sucking of any type: SMOKING, SIPPING, EATING HARD VEGETABLES are to be avoided after tooth extraction. Try taking soft and liquid food options such as soups, mashed potatoes, yogurts, milkshakes, smoothies etc. after tooth extraction. Avoid hot drinks, spicy foods, sodas, etc.
Don’t poke into the gap created: Though for initial few days, it will feel a bit awkward to have a gap but don’t poke that area with any toothpick or tongue as it may delay healing, may provoke bleeding and can also lead to dry socket.
Remember, in many cases, your teeth may be able to be saved with preventative dentistry and regular check-ups, eliminating the need for tooth extraction altogether. If you have or suspect you have problem teeth, make an appointment now for an immediate assessment before the problem worsens.
