Tooth extractions are a necessity in dental care. By extracting a tooth that is broken, decayed, or infected beyond the point of repair, a dentist relieves a patient's pain and discomfort in the short term while also eliminating the long-term risk of damage spreading to surrounding teeth.
As tooth extractions are somewhat invasive, patients who undergo them must be prepared to undertake a certain level of post-op care to ensure proper healing.
What Is a Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extractions are usually performed in a dentist's office by a dental surgeon. In preparation for the procedure, a local anesthetic is applied to the area surrounding the tooth to be extracted via a topical numbing agent and intraoral anesthetic. Once the tooth is numb, the dentist will gently remove the tooth.
Common Causes of Tooth Extractions
The need for tooth extraction may arise due to a variety of reasons, the most common among them:
- Impacted molars
- Tooth decay
- Infection
- Gum disease
- To make room for orthodontic treatment or dentures
- A broken tooth
What To Do Post-Extraction
After a tooth has been removed, there are steps that a patient must take to ensure proper healing and facilitate the preparation of the socket for a dental implant or other restoration. To protect both the very sensitive gum tissue and stitches around the extraction site, patients are instructed to:
- Avoid biting down hard for at least 24 hours.
- Steer clear of hard or potentially jagged foods, including fruits and vegetables like carrots or apples, until the bleeding stops completely.
- Try to chew with teeth in a different part of the mouth from the extraction site for a few days.
- Rinse with warm salt water several times a day in order to prevent bacteria growth.
- Take over-the-counter pain medication until the discomfort is gone.
If you're looking for information about tooth extraction in the Littleton, CO, area or think you may require a tooth extraction, contact dentist Dr. Christina Linn and the team at Platte Canyon Dental to set up a consultation appointment.