The Truth About Tooth Extractions
One of the major reasons for having your teeth extracted is wisdom teeth complications. That does not mean that it is the only reason for having some teeth pulled off. There are other reasons, and some of them are given below.
Crowded Mouth
Some people have small jawbones, and they can’t hold all their teeth. This leads to complications with alignment and can affect your smile drastically. The only way of correcting your smile is to visit a dentist and have him remove one or two teeth to create space.
Dental Infection
If an infection extends to the pulp and root canal therapy cannot cure it, the dentist will recommend an extraction. Failure to extract the disease will spread and affect the surrounding teeth.
Gum Disease
Periodontal disease (gum disease) is an infection that affects bone and surrounding tissues that support your teeth. The disease can cause severe loosening of a tooth, and the dentist may have to extract the tooth and replace it with crown, implant, denture, or bridge.
Decay
Dental cavities can eat your tooth severely, and the dentist may have no other options other than extract it.
What to Expect
Sedation dentistry has ensured that each dental procedure is as painless as possible. Depending on the tooth to be extracted, you might undergo either of these two procedures:
Surgical Extraction
A surgical extraction involves the incision of your gums to remove a tooth that has not erupted through your gums. Oral surgeons mostly conduct this extraction, but an accredited dentist can perform the procedure.
Simple Extraction
Any qualified Mississauga dentist can do this extraction. It involves the removal of infected or decayed teeth. Teeth that both you and the dentist can see. The dentists make use of dental elevators and forceps to perform simple extraction.
During either extraction, the dentist will numb you with local anaesthesia to prevent you from feeling pain. He will present the options available, and you can choose the one you feel most comfortable using. Most people prefer going for sedation that will make them sleep throughout the procedure.
Once the dentist extracts your tooth, there may be bleeding. The dentist will give you a piece of gauze to bite onto to prevent further bleeding. He will ask you to bite onto it for 30 to 60 minutes.
A blood clot will form, and the bleeding will stop. Sometimes the dentist may have to stitch you up, especially if you undergo surgical extraction, or he removes several teeth in a row.
Sometimes the blood clot formed can break loose, which exposes your bone and leads to a lot of pain. This condition is called a dry socket, and in case it happens to you, ensure to visit your dentist ASAP.
What You Should Tell Your Mississauga Dentist before Extraction
Most tooth extraction procedures are successful and very safe. However, the procedure can allow bacteria into your bloodstreams, and this can lead to infections.
If you have a condition that increases your risk of infection, you should tell your dentist before the procedure begins. This way, he will provide you with antibiotics early enough. Some of these conditions you need to inform him include:
- Heart defect
- Artificial joint
- Liver cirrhosis
- Impaired immune system
- Human-made heart valves
Condition Afterwards
After the dentist pulls your tooth off, he will release you to go home. He will provide you with painkillers and an ice pack to use in case of swelling or bleeding. Both of them are expected in the first few days, and so is pain. Don’t panic, though. There is always something you can do:
- Take painkillers as your dentist prescribes
- Avoid disturbing the extraction site, especially in the first 24 hours. Don’t eat with that side and don’t, if possible, don’t touch it even with your toothbrush.
- Avoid hard foods such as ice, raw vegetables, and meat.
- Don’t drink with a straw for the first few days
- Maintain proper oral hygiene. Just ensure not to disturb the extraction site.
- Quit smoking as it delays your healing.
- Visit your dentist ASAP in case of any complication.
Wrapping Up
If you are looking for tooth extraction treatment in Mississauga, you are in the right place. Dr. Jeff Levman is an experienced dentist, and he will help you with the tooth causing trouble. We also provide other services such as exams, cleaning, teeth whitening, and many other services. Book an appointment today.