What is Tooth Extraction? Tooth extraction is the surgery that takes a tooth out from the gum or alveolus. Extraction is done when there is no other way to keep the tooth, and it is the only thing the dentist can do for your dental health. Before removing a tooth, the dentist must study the patient’s medical and dental history. This lets the dentist know how hard it will be to remove the tooth. Find out more in Tooth Extractions: Everything You Need to Know!
When is it Necessary to have a Tooth Taken Out?
In orthodontics, it is sometimes necessary to take out teeth to get the best result. Here are some reasons why and when you might need to get a tooth pulled.
- Even though most dental infections can be treated today, a last resort however is tooth extraction.
- Tooth extraction is used to treat tooth decay or caries when the decay is too far along to be treated.
- Tooth extraction is used to treat periodontal disease. Periodontitis is a gum disease that causes teeth to become loose. Tooth extraction is used when the disease has progressed greatly.
- Tooth extraction can also be done when a tooth has been broken or damaged by dental trauma, such as a blow, and there aren’t enough healthy teeth to support a crown.
- When a tooth gets in the way of another, this is called dental impaction.
- It is necessary to make the spaces between the teeth bigger so that the dentist can put them in the right place with orthodontic tools.
- Whenever you have a major chewing problem.
- Due to lack of space (overcrowding)
- Teeth that are too large
- Open bites
- Apparent mid-line asymmetries
There are 3 Main Ways to Replace a Tooth that has been Pulled:
- Dentures
- Dental Bridges
- Dental Implants
How Long does it take to Heal after Tooth Extraction?
Most of the time, the surgery is done with only local anesthesia and there are no problems. In simple tooth extraction cases, the patient is fully healed 5–10 days after the procedure. The gum tissue and alveoli will fully heal in less than two weeks.
But after the procedure, blood clots can form in the gum’s empty alveolus. This is called a “dry socket,” It can be painful and require extra care for a full recovery.
How Long Should You Rest after Having a Tooth Pulled?
Recovery from a tooth extraction is significant; most people need at least a day of relaxation to feel right again. Since our bodies need rest to get back to normal, it is not a good idea to go back to work immediately after surgery.
How to Recovery Quickly after Having a Tooth Extraction
After surgery, it’s always best to do what your dentist tells you to do so that you can heal and get back to normal as quickly as possible. So we’ve put together this list to help you know what to do after a tooth extraction.
- You need to put a gauze pad where the tooth was pulled out to stop the bleeding. We must pay close attention to bleeding; if it doesn’t stop, we should go back to the dentist immediately.
- You can’t use strong mouthwashes for a few days after getting a tooth pulled.
- After the procedure, you can clean or rinse your mouth with salt water.
- You must avoid using hard toothbrushes in the area where the extraction has been performed which will impair healing.
- Don’t touch or push on the area where the tooth has been pulled, either with your fingers or tongue.
- Don’t eat anything too hot because it could break up the clot and make your gums bleed again.
- You shouldn’t smoke or drink because it’s bad for your health, can break the clot and make the bleeding worse.
- After the procedure, it’s best to go to bed with your head raised. This will reduce the chance of bleeding.
Have you had teeth extracted before? How quickly did you recover from the procedure? Let us know in the comments below and join in the conversation on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!
