Tooth Extractions
While it’s always our goal to care for and maintain your natural teeth, there are cases when removing a tooth is in your best interest. We work to make extractions as easy as possible so you can concentrate on a quick recovery.
Tooth Extractions in Spokane Valley, WA
Tooth extraction is typically a quick procedure, and anesthesia is used to help keep you comfortable throughout treatment. After the tooth is removed, the most important part of the process is supporting proper healing. To help control bleeding and form a protective blood clot, you will bite down gently on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes after the extraction. It is important to avoid disturbing this clot for the first 24 hours, as it plays a key role in healing. To reduce swelling, apply an ice pack to the outside of your cheek, then switch to a warm compress once swelling has improved for added comfort. Gentle rinses with warm salt water can also help keep the extraction site clean as it heals.
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How do I prevent dry socket after a tooth extraction?
After a tooth extraction, a blood clot forms shortly after surgery to begin the healing process. If this blood clot becomes dislodged before your mouth has fully healed, it can cause pain; this is called dry socket.
Six tips for avoiding dry socket are:
- Avoid straws or anything that creates suction, as this can cause the cheek muscles to contract.
- Avoid smoking tobacco as fast inhalation can dislodge your blood clot, and the chemicals may prevent healing or cause an infection.
- Eat only soft foods, such as applesauce, yogurt, and mashed potatoes, for the first one or two days.
- Inquire about any medicines you’re taking to ensure they don’t interact with the healing process.
- Use proper oral hygiene to keep your mouth clean, and consider an antibacterial mouthwash.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on proper oral care to improve recovery time.
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When and why are wisdom teeth removed?
Wisdom teeth are the very last teeth to develop, and they grow in the very back of the mouth. In most cases, you will start to feel these teeth emerge when you are in your late teens or early twenties. Almost everyone has these teeth removed, since they tend to grow at a severely slanted angle and are likely to bump into other teeth, causing crowding. There is also very little space available for these teeth. Ultimately, about 85% of adults have their wisdom teeth removed.
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What causes the need for tooth extraction?
Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone. Teeth extraction usually occurs when a tooth has been broken or damaged by decay, and the damage is too extensive for a filling or crown to repair.
However, there are other reasons for tooth extraction, including extra teeth growing in that are blocking others, baby teeth that haven’t fallen out in time for the permanent teeth to come in, braces, or wisdom teeth that are commonly removed for medical reasons.
More questions about tooth extractions?
If you have additional questions about tooth extractions, please contact our office, and we will be happy to discuss further. We also provide various other preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dental services.
