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One of the main goals of modern dentistry
is the prevention of tooth loss. All possible measures should be
taken to preserve and maintain your teeth because the loss of a
single tooth can have a major impact upon your dental health and
appearance. However, it is still sometimes necessary to remove a
tooth. Here are some of the reasons why a tooth may need to be
extracted.
- Severe Decay
- Advanced periodontal (gum) disease
- Infection or abcess
- Orthodontic correction
- Malpositioned teeth
- Fractured teeth or roots
- Impacted teeth (mainly wisdom
teeth)
There are certain risks associated with
any surgery. Pain, bleeding, numbness, broken root
tips and bone are several of the possible risks. It is
important that you realize that though we take every possible
precaution to reduce these risks, you either accept the
possiblility of the risks or you may elect not to have the
surgery.
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, do not always erupt properly when
they decide to make an appearance. It's wise to get an early
opinion on getting wisdom teeth pulled before they cause pain,
swelling, infection, caries and gum disease.
The shape of the modern human mouth is often too small to
accommodate wisdom teeth which make their first appearance in
young adults 17 to 26. The late teens to early twenties is the
best time to remove wisdom teeth.
Generally, when one or two wisdom teeth are to be removed, the dentist can do this in his office. However, it is normally
recommended that all four be removed at once. This is best done
by an oral surgeon, who can sedate you so you will be unaware of
the procedure. He is also specially trained and skilled to
handle multiple difficult extractions. Generally we will
recommend a surgeon in the area that we have worked with in the
past.
If you've just had a tooth extracted or the dentist recommends
that a tooth be extracted, the following information will help
you get through the first few days after your extraction. Should
anything occur that seems out of the normal, do not hesitate to
call.
Postoperative
Instructions
- DO NOT DISTURB THE WOUND: In doing
so you may invite irritation, infection and/or bleeding. Be
sure to chew on the opposite side for 24 hours and keep
anything sharp from entering the wound (i.e. eating utensils
etc. ).
- DO NOT SMOKE FOR 12 HOURS: Smoking
will promote bleeding and interfere with healing.
- Do not brush the extraction area
for the first 24 hours after surgery. After that you may
brush gently to keep the area clean.
- Avoid all rinsing for 24 hours
after extraction. This is to insure the formation of a
healing blood clot which is essential to proper wound
healing. Disturbance of this clot can lead to increased
bleeding or the loss of the blood clot. If the clot is lost,
a painful condition called dry socket may occur. Use warm
salt water rinses after 24 hours to keep the area clean.
- DO NOT SPIT OR SUCK THROUGH A
STRAW: This will promote bleeding and may dislodge the blood
clot causing a dry socket.
- BLEEDING: When you leave the
office, you will be given verbal instructions regarding the
control of postoperative bleeding. A rolled up gauze pad
will be placed on the extraction site and you will be asked
to change this dressing every 20 minutes or so depending on
the amount of bleeding that is occurring. It is normal for
some blood to ooze from the area of surgery. We will also
give you a package of gauze to take with you to use at home
if the bleeding should continue. Should you need to use the
gauze at home, remember to roll it into a ball large enough
to cover the wound. Hold firmly in place, by biting or with
finger pressure, for about 20-30 minutes. If bleeding still
continues, you may fold a wet tea bag in half and bite down
on it. Tea contains Tannic Acid , a styptic, which may help
to reduce the bleeding.
- PAIN: Some discomfort is normal
after surgery. Analgesic tablets ( i.e. Advil, Tylenol etc.
) may be taken under the dentist's direction. Prescription
medication, which may have been prescribed to you, should be
taken as prescribed. NEVER take a prescription pain
medication on an empty stomach. If pain continues, call the
dentist
- SWELLING: To prevent swelling,
apply an ice pack or a cold towel to the outside of your
face in the area of the extraction during the first 12
hours. Apply alternately, 20 minutes on then 20 minutes off,
for an hour or longer if necessary.
- DIET: Eat normal regular meals as
soon as you are able after surgery. Cold, soft food such as
ice cream or yogurt may be the most comfortable for the
first day. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids.
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