Tooth Extractions: Procedures, Aftercare & Recovery Time.

There are plenty of reasons when a dentist in Raritan, NJ suggests tooth pulling. They include in-depth decay, infections, loose teeth, gum diseases, etc. Side effects of tooth extraction usually include swelling, bleeding, and other discomforts. The dental expert will give you some detailed instructions and how to improve healing successfully.

What Happens When a Tooth is Removed?

When the dentist pulls the tooth, the adjacent teeth will not stay in their place. It means they start moving over and can also rotate their position. The teeth located next to the vacant space lose some of their support.

Moreover, chewing also changes with the gaps by putting pressure on the leftover teeth. It also affects their stability and sometimes results in them leaning over. Teeth on the opposite side of the jaw might press out further due to less space.

What is the Procedure for a Tooth Extraction?

Tooth pulling falls into two categories- surgical or simple.

Simple Extraction

During the procedure, a tooth extractions specialist will give local anesthesia to the patient. It helps in numbing the region around the affected tooth. Then, the dental expert uses an elevator to make the tooth loss. After that, the dentist eliminates the tooth using forceps.

Surgical Extraction

During surgical tooth extractions in Raritan, NJ, dental professionals will give intravenous and local anesthesia to the patient. It makes the patient relax before the procedure. You might also get general anesthesia, depending on your medical conditions.

Now, the oral surgeon makes a tiny incision into the gum and bone tissue that cover the tooth. It happens if the tooth is impacted. Then, the surgeon grasps the tooth and loses it from the jaw bone and ligaments using forceps. When this happens, the blood clot forms in the socket.

The expert will put a gauze pad into the socket and ask the patient to bite down on it. In some cases, the oral surgeon creates a few stitches(self-dissolving) to shut down the gum edges over the tooth pulling area.

What Should You Do After Tooth Extraction?

The dentist will give you some guidelines to follow after tooth pulling procedures. Thus, it is essential to follow them to avoid complications.

Reduce Bleeding

After your tooth is extracted, the dental professional will put a gauze pad into a treated area. You need to bite down on the pad for 20 to 25 minutes. The pressure helps in reducing bleeding at the extraction site. Make sure you do not disturb the clot formed.

Apply Ice

Start applying an ice bag to the treated area instantly after the procedure finishes. You need to do it for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Ice helps in decreasing the flow of blood to the region, thereby decreasing swelling.

Do Not Create Suction in the Mouth

For the initial 24 hours, avoid doing the following things:

• Drinking via a straw.
• Smoking.
• Rinsing your mouth.
• Spitting harshly.

Avoiding these things helps you prevent the blood clot from coming out and leading to a dry socket.

Keep Your Mouth Clean

Brush and floss your mouth as you usually do but make sure you avoid it at the tooth pulling site. Mouth cleaning will help you prevent the spread of infection.

Consume Soft Foods

Cold and soft foods are the best choices for patients of tooth extraction. These include smoothies, jello, yogurt, pudding, etc.

Take Pain Reliever as Directed

The dentist may prescribe you some pain-relieving medicines and antibiotics. You can take it as recommended to reduce pain after tooth pulling.

Use a Salt Water Rinse

Wash your mouth gently with a mixture of half tsp salt and 8 ounces warm water. The saltwater solution reduces bacteria and promotes healing faster.

Skip Vigorous Activities for a Minimum 2 Days

Do not do strenuous activities for at least two days after the tooth extraction. It’s best to ask your dentist when you can resume your normal routine.

Tooth Extraction Recovery Time

The tooth pulling recovery period usually depends on the complexity of the case of the patient. Most individuals get back to their regular activities in just a few days.

It means you can return to normal within 48 to 72 hours. However, it takes several weeks for your jaw bone to heal completely after the tooth pulling.