TOOTH EXTRACTION

At Oaiss Braces Center, our main goal is to preserve and keep your natural teeth strong and healthy for life. If your tooth has been damaged by decay or trauma, our dentists will try to restore it conservatively with a filling, crown or other treatment options. However, when the damage is too severe to be restored and a root canal treatment is not possible to save your tooth, your dentist may recommend a tooth extraction. Tooth extraction is typically a short procedure performed by the dentist.

Our dentists are experts on pain management and they will make sure you feel comfortable during the entire appointment.

Other reasons for tooth extraction:

What precautions should I take after extraction?

Avoid hot food or drinks until the anesthetic wears off. This is important as you cannot feel pain properly and may burn or scald your mouth. Also be careful not to chew your cheek, which can happen while you’re numb and unable to feel.

Should I rinse my mouth out?

Do not be tempted to rinse the area for the first 24 hours. It is important to allow the socket to heal, and you must be careful not to damage the blood clot by eating on that side or letting your tongue disturb it. This can allow infection into the socket and affect healing.

Is there anything else I should avoid?

Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours, as this can encourage bleeding and delay healing. Eat and drink lukewarm food as normal but avoid chewing on that area of your mouth.

When should I brush?

It is just as important, if not more so, to keep your mouth clean after an extraction. However, you do need to be careful around the extraction site. Brush gently so as to not disturb the blood clot and delay healing.

What do I do if I’m still bleeding?

The first thing to remember is that there may be some slight bleeding for the first day or so. Many people are concerned about the amount of bleeding. This is due to the fact that a small amount of blood is mixed with a larger amount of saliva, which looks more dramatic than it is. If you do notice bleeding, do not rinse out, but apply pressure to the socket. Bite firmly on a folded piece of clean cotton material such as a handkerchief or round cotton pads for at least 15 minutes. Make sure this is placed directly over the extraction site and that the pad is replaced if necessary. If the bleeding has not stopped after an hour or two, contact your dentist. .

How soon can I smoke?

It is important not to do anything which will increase your blood pressure, as this can lead to further bleeding. We recommend that you avoid smoking for as long as you can after an extraction, but the minimum is 3 days

Is there anything I can do to heal faster?

Different people heal at different speeds after an extraction. It is important to keep your mouth and the extraction site as clean as possible, making sure that the socket is kept clear of all food and debris. Don't rinse for the first 24 hours, and this will help your mouth to start healing. After this time, use a salt-water mouthwash, this helps to heal the socket. A teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water gently rinsed around the socket twice a day can help to clean and heal the area. Keep this up for at least a week or for as long as your dentist tells you.

I’m in pain, what should I take?

There will usually be some tenderness in the area for the first few days, and in most cases some simple pain relief is enough to ease the discomfort. What you would normally take for a headache should be enough. However, always follow the manufacturer's instructions and if in doubt check with your doctor first. Do not take aspirin, as this will make the extraction site bleed.

Are there any medicines I should avoid?

Aspirin should be avoided because it can thin the blood slightly. Asthma sufferers should avoid Ibuprofen-based pain relief.

I am still in pain, what could it be?

Sometimes an infection can get in the socket, which can be very painful. This is when the bony socket walls are exposed and become infected. This is called a dry socket, and in some cases, it is worse than the original toothache. You may also feel the sharp edge of the socket with your tongue and sometimes small pieces of bone may work their way to the surface of the socket. This is perfectly normal. In this case, it is important to see your dentist, who may place a dressing in the socket and prescribe a course of antibiotics to help relieve the infection.

Will my dentist need to see me again?

If it has been a particularly difficult extraction, the dentist will give you a follow-up appointment. This could be to remove any stitches that were needed, or simply to check that the area is healing well. Your dentist will also want to discuss the options available for you to replace your lost tooth