Preventing tooth loss is one of the top priorities of dental medicine, but it is sometimes necessary to remove a troublesome tooth to protect the health of the rest of the mouth. While this can be necessary for a wide variety of reasons, many patients may feel no small amount of anxiety about being scheduled for the procedure. Here’s what you should know about tooth extractions so you can feel more confident and comfortable about the process.
Why Is Tooth Extraction Necessary?
Tooth extraction can be necessary for reasons like:
- Severe infection that compromises the viability of the tooth and may spread to other parts of the mouth.
- Oral injury that exposes the soft pulp inside the tooth to infection.
- The mouth not having enough space to accommodate all its teeth. This is typically the case for wisdom tooth extractions.
- The wisdom teeth coming in sideways or failing to emerge from the gums completely, which can lead to chronic pain and destructive oral infections.
- The need to remove one or several teeth so the mouth has enough room for orthodontic treatment.
How Will My Dentist Keep Me Comfortable During My Extraction?
Your dentist will only perform your extraction after administering a local anesthetic to ensure that you feel no pain. However, some patients who are especially anxious about dental care or have difficulty sitting still may benefit from sedation treatments. Nitrous oxide can induce a sense of calmness and wellbeing and is remarkably safe and free of side effects. IV sedation puts the patient in a deeper state of restfulness and may be ideal for people with severe dental phobias.
How Can I Stay Comfortable After My Tooth Extraction?
The best way to stay comfortable after your tooth extraction is to strictly comply with your dentist’s aftercare instructions. These will probably include:
- Avoid strenuous exercise for a day or two.
- Chew on the side of the mouth opposite to your extraction site.
- Skip foods and beverages that are hot, spicy, crunchy, sticky, sour, or sweet, as these can irritate your healing tissues.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to clean the surgical area.
- Practice normal oral hygiene but take special care when brushing and flossing around the extraction site.
- Refrain from spitting or drinking through a straw, as these can disturb the blood clot forming over the surgical wound and cause a severely painful condition called dry socket.
A tooth extraction is often the best way to preserve a patient’s oral and overall health. Knowing why this procedure is necessary can take a lot of stress out of the process so you can enjoy a little more peace of mind.
About the Practice
Frandsen Dental of Orem provides the local community with outstanding oral healthcare and exemplary customer service. Led by Dr. Brian Frandsen and Dan Dansie, the staff treats all patients with courtesy, respect, and genuine compassion in a warm and friendly office environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry such as tooth extractions. To learn more about the extraction process, contact the practice online or dial (801) 224-7900.