Precautions To Take After A Tooth Extraction Procedure
Your teeth as a result of their frequent use are subjected to wear and tear. A tooth can become so defective that it causes severe pain or cause damage to other teeth in your mouth. At this point, the tooth is probably beyond repair. A tooth extraction procedure is your only option to save you from severe pain and further damage.
Tooth extraction is a process through which a tooth is removed from its socket In the bone with the aid of dental tools and anesthesia by a dental professional. After tooth extraction, some precautions need to be observed to prevent complications.
Reasons For Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction involves the removal of a tooth, and this can have negative effects on the aesthetics of the teeth and oral health. Therefore, there must be cogent reasons before a tooth extraction procedure is carried out. Reasons for a tooth extraction procedure include:
- Tooth Decay. Tooth decay is caused by plaques that are formed when the bacteria in the mouth mixes with saliva and starchy foods. Infections or decay in a tooth can cause pain and damage to other teeth and this calls for extraction.
- Overcrowded Teeth. This is a situation in which there isn’t enough space for your teeth in your mouth. Some teeth have to be extracted in situations like this.
- Orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment is used to correct misaligned teeth and other irregularities. While the corrected teeth are moving into place, tooth extraction might be needed to create space for them.
- Trauma. Injury to the face might cause damage which would require tooth extraction to the teeth.
- Prosthetic Indications. Some tooth replacement options require the extraction of some other teeth before fixing.
- Wisdom Teeth Problem. Wisdom teeth are the last set of molar that grows in the mouth. Wisdom teeth removal is so common because these teeth are notorious for the pain and discomfort they cause when they erupt. This is another reason for tooth extraction.
Teeth Extraction Procedure
A teeth extraction procedure can be done by your dentist. If you are away, an emergency tooth extraction procedure can be carried out by any certified dental professional around you. Contrary to what you might have heard, a tooth extraction procedure is painless when done at the right place. This is because it involves the use of local, intravenous, or general anesthesia depending on your dentist.
There are two types of tooth extraction. They are the simple extraction and the surgical extraction.
Simple Extraction
Simple tooth extraction involves the removal of an affected visible tooth. This applies to teeth that are already well above the gum line. This can be performed by a general dentist. During a simple extraction procedure, your dentist numbs the tooth and gum tissue before loosening it with an elevator. Thereafter, the tooth is removed with dental forceps. This process is simple just as its name implies.
Surgical Extraction
A surgical extraction is a little bit more complicated than a simple extraction. It is used for teeth that have broken off at the gum line or that have not come into the mouth yet. In other words, it is used for the extraction of teeth still in the gum. This process is mostly carried out by oral surgeons, but can still be done by a general dentist. It involves cutting into your gum after the use of anesthesia. The underlying tooth is then removed.
Things To Do After A Tooth Extraction
After a successful tooth extraction procedure, you need to do the following things.
- Keep the extraction area clean and prevent infections. The use of a mouthwash after a tooth extraction is recommended to keep the area clean and free from infections.
- Brush and floss like you normally do but avoid the extraction site.
- Apply an ice pack to your cheek to prevent swelling.
- Take all medications as prescribed. Take recommended painkillers to suppress the pain that might come after the extraction.
Things To Avoid After A Successful Tooth Extraction
- Avoid hard foods.
- Do not smoke.
- Do not rinse your mouth vigorously
- Avoid brushing or flossing the extraction site
Take these precautions, and you can avoid complications after a tooth extraction procedure.