The number of cases where people require getting their teeth pulled during their lifetime has increased significantly. It is a problem that not only adults are facing but also many teens.
While most of us only know wisdom teeth as being the ones that require tooth extraction, there are plenty of other reasons behind it as well. Knowing what the procedure is about and what to expect can help you a lot in terms of managing the procedure and the pain that comes with it.
In this article, we will be sharing all the details you need regarding the tooth extraction process, along with some useful tips to make sure you can avoid severe pain after surgical tooth removal. Keep reading to find out more.
Reasons Why You May Need Tooth Extraction and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
While a lot of people might think the two treatments mentioned here are separate, they can work together as well. Also, the symptoms mentioned here are also applicable for oral and maxillofacial surgery in many cases. Here are the top reasons for getting tooth extractions:
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Having Too Many Teeth
Some people end up with more teeth in their mouth than the needed amount and that can be quite a big pain to deal with. Getting surgical extraction for the extra teeth is then needed so that your other teeth can sit in their place properly.
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Getting an Oral Infection
There are several reasons why someone may end up with an infection in their gums and teeth and if it spreads too much, a tooth extraction may be needed to deal with it. Removing tooth decay and blood clot formations is only possible with tooth extractions as they allow for thorough cleansing of the cavity.
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Weak Immune System
If your immune system is weak and your dentist or oral surgeon identifies a potential for bacterial growth, they may recommend removing one or more of your permanent teeth before the infection becomes a real health risk.
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Periodontal Disease
This is an advanced form of gingivitis which is usually not treatable using pain medication and antibiotics. IN this case, your oral surgeon would recommend getting your tooth pulled so that they can reconstruct the area and install an artificial tooth at the extraction site.
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Severe Pain
Severe pain is often the first indicator of something being wrong with your teeth and gums. It is quite possible that when your dentist examines the impacted teeth in your mouth, they end up recommending a tooth extraction to address an underlying issue.
Getting in touch with your dentist immediately is necessary if you see any of these issues and want to promote healing and minimize damage.
Types of Tooth Extraction Based on Extraction Site Conditions
Depending on the condition that your teeth are in, the type of tooth extraction that a dentist may perform can vary. Here are the three different types of tooth extraction that you can get:
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Simple Tooth Extraction
This is as simple as the name sounds. What it means is that the dentist does not need to access your gum line at the extraction site and can easily pull out the tooth manually.
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Impacted Tooth Extraction
This type of extraction only happens when you want to remove a wisdom tooth. Impacted wisdom teeth are quite common and what this basically means is that the teeth are in such a position that they may damage the gums when pulled out.
In this case, oral surgeons are involved and they perform a small oral surgery to make sure your wisdom tooth comes out without causing any damage. You may also need local anesthesia during this treatment to avoid pain.
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Tooth Root Removal
This is something that you may have to face as a complication from a simple tooth extraction. Sometimes teeth can leave behind residue in the gums after being pulled and this can cause a lot of pain and even cause infections in your gum line.
Oral surgeons may be required to perform a surgical procedure for this issue to make sure all residue is properly removed. This process can also require administering a local anesthetic to manage pain.
How to Prepare for Tooth Extraction Procedure
While certain variations can occur in the tooth extraction procedure for each patient, most of the steps are almost exactly the same. This is even true when considering that each person would choose a different dentist.
One thing to keep in mind here though is that when it comes to performing tooth extractions effectively, choosing a good dentist or oral surgeon makes a huge difference. We, for one, would strongly recommend choosing Sunny Isles Dental for your treatment if you are in Texas.
Here are some of the steps that you can expect to go through when preparing yourself for your upcoming tooth extraction:
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X-Ray Scan
To make sure that your dentist has the complete picture of the issue ailing your teeth and gum tissue, they may take an x-ray of the mouth. This will allow them to make the most accurate decisions, especially when performing a surgical extraction.
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Medical History
Providing your medical history to your oral surgeon or dentist is highly recommended and mandatory in most cases. This allows them to look for potential issues that could affect your oral health after you get your tooth pulled.
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Going for the Consultation Appointment
Before the actual procedure, you will need to go to a consultation if you haven’t already. This lets your dentist know if you have any problems and also examines your medical history to find potential issues.
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Rearrange Other Social Engagements
While a simple tooth-pulling procedure can be done in a short time, if you end up needing surgery to remove impacted wisdom teeth or due to other issues, you may want to prepare in advance by putting off other engagements. At least one full day will be consumed with this procedure and you might even be called for a second session if there is more work to do.
Recovery Plan After Getting a Tooth Extraction
Once your dentist or oral surgeon has successfully removed permanent teeth from your mouth, your recovery process will begin. There are a number of things to keep in mind to make sure that your healing process goes according to plan.
- Use an ice pack on the tooth location where you have had the extraction to reduce swelling.
- Once the tooth is removed, your dentist will put a gauze pad on the empty space. You will need to bite firmly on it to limit bleeding and ensure blood clot formation. Keep it in your tooth socket for at least 3-4 hours.
- Eat soft foods after the treatment to make sure you are not putting any strain on the affected area. Solid foods should be a no go for at least a few days, even if you have only had a routine extraction. Hard and crunchy foods can cause damage and even result in blood clots rupturing with new bleeding.
- Avoid brushing and flossing around the extraction site and surrounding bone to reduce bleeding chances.
- Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water after 24 hours to avoid bacterial growth.
In case you feel more pain than you expect and are facing any other issues like the inability to control bleeding, then we strongly recommend that you call your dentist immediately. If you are not able to call your dentist, then make time to visit them directly to avoid any potential issues.
For anyone living in Texas, we strongly recommend that you consider Sunny Isles Dental for getting the best possible treatment and tooth extraction.
Useful Tips to Avoid Severe Pain and Issues After Tooth Extraction
Having a successful tooth extraction procedure depends a lot on the competence of the dentist or oral surgeon you choose to go to. However, it also depends on your comfort level and how informed you are. To make you are best prepared for the procedure, we are sharing some useful tips.
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Inquire About the Procedure
Being unsure or scared about getting treatment for gum disease or any other reason for tooth extraction can be a huge cause of discomfort. Get in touch with your dentist to find out as much as you can about the procedure.
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Don’t Hide Anything in Your History
If you have any medical condition or issue in your history that you may feel embarrassed about, then do not hide it from your general dentist. They are there to help and it is possible that the problem you are facing may have an impact on your treatment plan.
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Prepare Like a Pro
To get the best experience possible during your treatment, follow all the guidelines provided by your dentist to make sure you are fully prepared. Do not eat any food before your treatment, brush and clean your mouth vigorously prior to treatment.
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Dress Comfortably
Tooth extraction can take a long time if it is not a simple extraction and you should not go in wearing clothes that you are not fully comfortable in. Avoid wearing tight clothing, lenses, jewelry, perfumes, cosmetics, and any other thing that can make the procedure uncomfortable for you or even your dentist.
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Take Post Surgical Care Seriously
To ensure a quick recovery and to avoid potential issues after the procedure, make sure that you follow all advice to the letter. Stick to soft foods, take your medication regularly to avoid harmful bacteria from returning, and perform oral hygiene as per the dentist’s recommendations.
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Ensure Your Blood Clot Stays Intact
Bleeding after surgery can be a huge risk and to avoid that, you need to make sure the blood clot forms in your socket properly. Use a cold pack to reduce swelling and if needed, apply a gauze pad and bit firmly on the empty space until you end up with a dry socket.
Final Word
It is quite clear that you need to take good care of yourself and follow all the points shared in this article if you want to have a successful tooth extraction. As for the dentist that you go to, we strongly recommend visiting Sunny Isles Dental for anyone living in Texas.
Their service is spectacular, they offer online booking 24/7, and you can also get more information about the procedure directly by calling them on their number.