What to Expect with a Tooth Extraction

Many people dread having to see the dentist. The tools used and the uncertainty of what to expect can lead to a lot of fear when it comes to dental appointments. Educating yourself on what to expect can help to ease some of your nervous feelings surrounding seeing the dentist.

Tooth extractions are often the most feared kind of dental procedure. While losing a tooth as a child is often exciting, losing one as an adult is not. Having a reliable dentist in Rockefeller Plaza, understanding the costs, having knowledge of what a tooth extraction is, being prepared for the procedure, and learning about the recovery process can help you to feel less anxious about your procedure.

To ensure optimal dental health, a damaged, broken or loose tooth may need to be professionally extracted. Tooth extraction procedures involve the tooth being removed from the socket within the bone. There are many reasons why your dentist may choose to extract a tooth. Regardless of the reasons behind the procedure, you should know what to expect, what the costs are, how to prepare, and what your recovery will entail.

Tooth extraction preparation begins with an x-ray. This allows your dentist to develop a plan on how to remove the tooth. Your dentist will also discuss with you your medical history and what the best way to sedate you will be. Being prepared for your extraction means that you need to keep an open line of communication with your dentist. This means alerting your dentist to issues such as having a cold, nausea, vomiting or nasal congestion within the week leading up to your surgery. These issues could delay your procedure. If you have any of the above symptoms, be sure to tell your dentist so that your surgery remains safe and your outcome optimal.

Before Your Tooth Extraction

Tell your dentist in Rockefeller Plaza about any supplements or medications that you take. You should also inform him or her of any medical conditions you have that could put you at a higher risk of developing an infection. These conditions include:

• History of bacterial endocarditis
• Congenital heart defect
• Liver disease (cirrhosis)
• Damaged or man-made heart valves
• Impaired immune system
• Artificial joint, such as knee or hip replacement

There are two different kinds of tooth extraction procedures: simple and surgical. A simple extraction is when a tooth that can be seen within the mouth is removed. It requires the tooth to be loosened and then gently taken out. A surgical extraction is a more complex type of procedure. This procedure is performed when a tooth is located under the gum line. It requires a small cut to be made on your gums.

Local anesthetic is utilized for both types of extraction procedures. In some surgical tooth extractions, an intravenous anesthetic is used. While the procedure is happening, you shouldn’t feel any pain. If you do feel pain, you should let your dentist know immediately.

After Your Tooth Extraction

Once the extraction is complete, your dentist in Rockefeller Plaza will pack your tooth socket with gauze. You will need to bite down on the gauze to reduce the amount of bleeding that occurs. Your dentist may use self-dissolving stitches to close the site of the extraction.

You will need to follow the below post-extraction guidelines once you get home:

• Rest for a minimum of 24 hours.
• Bite down the gauze for at least three hours to lessen bleeding and allow a blood clot to form at the site. Replace the gauze whenever necessary.
• Apply ice immediately after your procedure and continue to apply it for intervals of 10 minutes.
• Refrain from lying flat. Keep your head propped up on pillows to reduce bleeding.
• Don’t rinse, spit forcibly or utilize a straw for 24 hours.
• After 24 hours, rinse your mouth with a solution comprised of ½ teaspoon of salt and 8 ounces of warm water.
• Consume soft foods such as soups, applesauce and yogurt. As the extraction site heals, you can slowly add solid foods back to your diet.
• Stay away from the extraction site when brushing and flossing your teeth.
• Take painkillers as advised by your dentist.

It’s normal to experience a bit of pain, swelling and bleeding after an extraction occurs. You should contact your dentist in Rockefeller Plaza if you have any of the below symptoms:

• Severe pain, swelling or bleeding after four hours have passed
• Redness, swelling or excessive discharge at the site of the extraction
• Fever, chills or other signs of infection
• Nausea or vomiting
• Coughing, shortness of breath or chest pain

If you experience uncontrolled bleeding, intense swelling, excessive pain, fever, chills, redness or difficulty swelling, you should contact your dentist in Rockefeller Plaza right away.

For several days after your procedure, you will need to eat a diet consisting of soft and cold foods. As your mouth heals, you can begin to add other types of foods. Spitting, smoking, and drinking from a straw should be avoided after your extraction. That’s because those activities pull the blood clot out of the extraction site, causing complications to occur.

Most tooth extraction sites are healed within one to two weeks. Once you have fully healed, you may go back to your regular dental care routine.

What About a Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars within the back of the mouth. They tend to emerge along the top and bottom gum lines during adulthood. While wisdom tooth extraction has become a relatively common preventative measure, not all wisdom teeth need to be extracted. Several factors need to be considered before your wisdom teeth are taken out. These factors include the benefits, risks and the impact it will have on your quality of life. A dental care professional in Rockefeller Plaza can help you to determine whether this procedure is right for you.

Many people have their wisdom teeth grow in without having any issues at all. In these cases, the wisdom teeth can often be kept in place. For other people, the wisdom teeth never erupt, making extraction unnecessary. Some people have wisdom teeth that grow in crooked or that don’t have enough room. In these cases, a wisdom tooth extraction may be necessary.

There are some dentists who recommend wisdom tooth extractions to prevent problems from possibly occurring in the future. Talk to your dentist and obtain a second opinion to determine whether this procedure is necessary for you. Receiving professional advice from a trusted dentist in Rockefeller Plaza can make a big difference with your dental health.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends wisdom tooth extractions in the following cases:

• Tumor or cyst development
• Infection
• Damage to nearby teeth
• Pain or discomfort
• Development of gum disease
• Tooth decay

While your wisdom teeth may not currently be causing you discomfort, preventive measures by your dentist in Rockefeller Plaza may be necessary. Preventive tooth extraction is commonly done in the following instances:

• Potential for disease: Wisdom teeth can sometimes cause infections, even when there are no symptoms present.
• Safety: Many dentists recommend that impacted wisdom teeth be removed to prevent future problems from potentially setting in.
• Age: Taking out the wisdom teeth when a person is younger reduces the risk of complications. This is because older adults are more likely to experience complications before, during or after the extraction procedure.

There are some dentists who believe that there isn’t enough evidence to show that asymptomatic wisdom teeth can lead to complications or infections later in life, making it unnecessary to take the risk or expense associated with the procedure. Talk to an affordable, caring dentist in Rockefeller Plaza to discover what the pros and cons of this procedure are.