What to Expect with a Tooth Extraction

For many people, the sharp objects, noisy tools, and not knowing what to expect make going to the dentist an occasion that is fraught with anxiety. Having a basic understanding of what to expect at your visit is a wonderful way to reduce anxiety related to receiving professional dental care.

Tooth extraction procedures are some of the most feared visits. If you have a dentist in Connecticut who understands the costs associated with the extraction, as well as knows how to educate you on what to expect during the procedure, how you can prepare for it and what you can expect afterwards, then you’ll be able to approach your upcoming procedure with a little less anxiety.

A tooth that becomes damaged, loose or broken may need to be extracted. A tooth extraction procedure involves the removal of a tooth from the jawbone socket. Knowing the costs, what happens during the procedure, how to prepare yourself for the procedure and what to do once your procedure has been completed are essential elements in ensuring that your extraction is as stress free as possible.

Before the surgery takes place, your dentist will take an x-ray of the tooth. This allows your dentist to come up with a plan for extracting the tooth. Your dentist will talk to you about your medical history and decide which type of sedation method is best to utilize. If you’ve had a cold, nasal congestion, nausea or vomiting in the week leading up to your procedure, you need to notify your dentist. Your procedure will most likely need to be rescheduled for a later date.

What to Expect Before Your Extraction

Your dentist in Connecticut will need to know about any medications or supplements that you’re taking. He or she will also need to know about any medical conditions you have that could put you at a risk of developing an infection after your surgery has taken place. Some of these conditions are:

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

There are two types of extraction procedures. The first is called a simple extraction. This procedure is done when the tooth is visible inside of the mouth. During this procedure, your dentist will loosen and remove the tooth. The second type of extraction is known as a surgical extraction. This is done when the tooth is still beneath gum line. It requires the dentist to make a small incision on the gums so that the tooth can be removed.

Regardless of the type of extraction you’re in need of, your dentist will give you a local anesthetic. This ensures that you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. Intravenous anesthetic may be used for some types of surgical extractions. All you will feel during your procedure is a little bit of pressure. If you feel any pain during the procedure, you should notify your dentist.

What to Expect After Your Extraction

Once your dentist in Connecticut has taken out your tooth, he or she will place gauze in the tooth socket. You will be instructed to bite down on the gauze to reduce bleeding. If necessary, your dentist will use self-dissolving stitches to close the site of the extraction.

At home, you will need to follow these important instructions:

• Avoid activity for a minimum of 24 hours.
• Bite down on the gauze for at least three hours. This lessens the bleeding and helps blood to clot. Replace the gauze when necessary.
• Apply ice every 10 minutes.
• Try not to lay flat. Prop your head up on pillows when you lie down.
• Don’t forcibly spit, rinse or drink from a straw for a minimum of 24 hours afterwards.
• Once 24 hours have passed, rinse out your mouth with a mixture of ½ teaspoon of salt and 8 ounces of warm water.
• Consume foods such as yogurt, applesauce and soup. Solid foods may be added as the site of the extraction heals.
• Refrain from brushing or flossing around the extraction site.
• Stick to your dentist’s instructions when taking painkillers.

A certain amount of swelling, pain and bleeding is normal following your procedure. If you have any of the following symptoms, you should contact your dentist in Connecticut as soon as possible:

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

Your dentist in Connecticut should be contacted immediately if you have uncontrolled bleeding, excessive pain, chills, fever, redness, difficulty swallowing or intense swelling.

For the first several days after your procedure has happened, you should eat a diet of soft and cold foods. Once your mouth has healed, you will be able to eat solid foods. Don’t smoke, sip through straws or spit – as these types of activities could potentially cause the blood clot at the extraction site to pull away, leading to complications that could be severe.

It usually takes one to two weeks for an extraction site to heal. Once your mouth has fully healed, you will be able to resume normal dental care activities again.

Know What to Expect with a Wisdom Tooth Extraction

The wisdom teeth are an extra set of molars that grow in during early adulthood. They are located in the back of the mouth, on the top and bottom gum lines. While it is common to remove wisdom teeth as a preventive measure, it is not always necessary. Before having your wisdom teeth surgically removed, you should know the risks, benefits, expense and the overall impact on your quality of life. To determine if this procedure is worth it for you, talk to a trustworthy dentist in Connecticut.

Many people have no issues with their wisdom teeth when they emerge. Other people never have them grow in at all. However, there are some people who don’t have enough room in their mouth for their wisdom teeth, resulting in them coming in crooked or becoming impacted beneath the gum line. This can lead to several serious dental health concerns.

Preventive wisdom tooth extraction is a hotly debated topic within dental health circles. Some dentists believe that taking them out before issues occur is necessary, while others don’t believe it’s worth the expense or risk. The best way to decide what you should do is to speak with your dentist in Connecticut.

The American Dental Association (ADA) strongly recommends that wisdom teeth be extraction under the following conditions:

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

Even if you aren’t experiencing discomfort caused by your wisdom teeth, your dentist in Connecticut may recommend preventive extraction. These are performed due to:

• Potential for Disease: Wisdom teeth can cause infections if left underneath the gum line.
• Safety: Some dentists think that it’s safer to remove the wisdom teeth to remove the potential of future issues.
• Age: Taking the wisdom teeth out when a patient is younger is less risky than removing them when they are older.

It’s best that you make this decision under the guidance of your dentist in Connecticut. That way you can determine if wisdom tooth extraction is the right choice for you.