In some cases, removing a tooth may be in the best interest of a patient’s oral health. This type of procedure is usually necessary when a tooth is causing problems for other teeth or when it is too severely damaged to be salvaged. Although having a tooth removed can be a scary thought, our experts work to make the process as easy and as smooth as possible so that the patient can focus on improving their oral health after the procedure.
Most patients who have a tooth removed experience little-to-no pain during the procedure; however, it is common to feel some pressure at the extraction site as the tooth is being pulled. After the tooth has been removed, the immediate goal is to form a blood clot at the extraction site. This will ensure that the area is able to heal properly. A blood clot can be formed by having the patient bite down on a gauze pad for approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Once the clot has been formed, the patient must be careful not to disturb it in any way. For this reason, the patient will be instructed to avoid using a straw, rinsing vigorously, smoking, consuming drugs or alcohol and participating in intense exercise for at least 24 hours following the procedure.
It is common to experience some swelling in the area after a tooth has been removed. This can be addressed by applying an ice pack to the outer cheek near the extraction site. Most patients are able to continue with their usual brushing and flossing habits just one day following the removal. If the patient experiences intense pain or excessive bleeding at any time after the procedure, they should contact our office as quickly as possible.
In addition to standard teeth extractions, our practice also offers wisdom teeth extractions. Also known as the third molars, wisdom teeth generally develop when a person is in their late teens or early twenties. Although about one in five people will end up keeping their wisdom teeth, they are usually removed because they can potentially cause severe problems for other teeth.
Wisdom teeth extractions are generally more intensive than other forms of teeth removals. It usually takes about a week’s worth of recovery time for a patient to be fully healed following this type of procedure. To expedite this process, a patient should make sure to receive plenty of rest, consume lots of fluids and chew only soft foods during recovery.
Dr. Halabo has been named a top dentist for 15 consecutive years! If you would like to learn more about teeth extractions or wisdom teeth extractions, please call us at (619) 427-0810 to schedule an appointment.