Tooth Extractions at Smiles On Grenfell
While our mission is to preserve and restore your natural teeth, there are times that a tooth may need to be removed due to wear, reconstructive needs, or to stop the spread of infection. The most common reasons for dental extractions include:
- Severe toothaches
- Emergencies or trauma
- Removing interference of baby teeth and allowing permanent teeth to grow through the gums
- Full mouth rehabilitation
- Creating extra room in the mouth for successful orthodontic treatments
What does the process entail?
Smiles On Grenfell understands that tooth extractions often come with great hesitation and nerves. Our knowledgeable dentists are trained to make your experience comfortable and effective. Prior to pulling the tooth, you will be given an injection of local anesthetic to numb the area where the removal will occur. For more complex cases, a strong general anesthetic might be used to make you sleep through the procedure and ward of pain from traveling throughout your body. When it comes time to extract the tooth, your dentist will cut away any excess gum and bone tissue and proceed with forceps to grasp the tooth and pull it out of position.
Recovery
Once your tooth has been pulled, it is important to give yourself an appropriate amount of time to recover. Typical recovery only takes a few days, but the following items can help decrease discomfort, minimise the risk of infection, and encourage speedy healing:
- Bite down on the gauze pad placed by your dentist for three to four hours after extraction to allow blood to clot in the tooth socket
- After the procedure, hold an ice bag to the affected area 10 minutes at a time to reduce swelling
- Regularly take any prescribed pain medication
- Limit activity and rest for at least 24 hours after surgery
- Avoid forceful rinsing or spitting
- Rinse with warm saltwater after 24 hours has passed
- Prop your head with pillows when lying down
- Eat soft, easy-to-swallow foods
- Work around your extraction site during your daily dental routine
Schedule Your Appointment
Need a tooth extraction? Contact our practice to learn more about your options today.
* Any invasive or surgical procedure may carry risks. Before moving forward, it is recommended that you seek a second opinion from an appropriately licensed medical professional.
