If you’re suffering from discomfort in the mouth, it is likely that a tooth has become damaged. Regardless of how this has happened, when any pain the mouth is felt, an appointment with the surgeon should be made as soon as possible.
There are typically two avenues that the surgeon will progress with for treatment. Either root canal or tooth extraction. Here, we focus on tooth extraction.
Why Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extraction treatment is administered when teeth are severely damaged beyond repair. An untreated damaged or cracked tooth can be dangerous and increase the chances of infection. Therefore, if the tooth cannot be saved with a root canal, the tooth will need to be extracted. This is dependent on a number of factors; the severity of the damage, whether the tooth is decayed and whether there are signs of infection. This also occurs in milk teeth.
Tooth extraction isn’t simply restricted to damaged teeth. It may also be administered by the surgeon if teeth are misaligned leading to an abnormal bite, further risking damage to teeth.
The Process of Tooth Extraction
It is important that a damaged or broken tooth is extracted as early as possible. This is to prevent the chances of infection or gum disease increasing.
The oral surgeon will first perform a medical examination of your mouth in order to determine the severity of the damage. Upon the results of the oral examination and upon the surgeon recommending root canal treatment, the appointment begins by numbing the painful area with local anaesthesia. This is to limit any feeling of discomfort during the process of extracting the tooth.
The surgeon will first identify whether the tooth needs to be broken down further into small parts to extract the tooth easier. In both instances, the surgeon will then use secure forceps equipment and softly clasp the tooth from both sides. The surgeon will gently rock the tooth from side to side until the tooth becomes loose from its socket.
The surgeon will perform this until the tooth is removed.
What Happens After Treatment?
Once the tooth is extracted, you will begin to experience severe pain and swelling once the local anaesthesia wears off. The surgeon will provide you with a gauze pad to stem the blood. This is to help create a blood clot in the affected area.
Once treatment is complete, follow these tips for faster recovery:
- Avoid any physical activity for 3 to 4 days until the pain has eased
- Brush your teeth with a soft-bristle brush but avoid brushing around the affected area
- Regularly rinse your mouth after eating
- Take prescribed antibiotics and medication prescribed by the dentist
Sometimes, it can be difficult to brush teeth effectively after tooth extraction. This involves making sure the affected area is kept clean at all times to give you the best chance of recovery. Learn the five handy tips for brushing after tooth extraction.
Do you need your tooth extracted? Contact us here right now and we’d be happy to help you find your local emergency dentist.
