If your dentist in West Edmonton has told you that you require tooth extraction, you may be feeling a bit nervous and overwhelmed about moving forward with the procedure. Tooth extractions are very common and are performed on many patients by qualified dentists each year.
If you have a damaged or broken tooth, a dentist will do everything possible to save it from needing extraction. This may include performing root canal therapy or placing dental crowns over the tooth. If there is no other option, you will need to move forward with getting the tooth extracted to protect your overall oral health.
At Aldergrove Dental Clinic, we are happy to provide quality tooth extractions near you. Read on to learn all about tooth extractions so you can feel confident moving forward with your procedure.
#1 The Procedure is Common and Safe
As mentioned above, tooth extractions are a common procedure and are considered to be very safe by our dentist near you. Many people mistakenly believe that tooth extractions are dangerous and can cause severe health complications, but this is simply not the case.
When you visit our dentist for tooth extraction, they will use a local or general anesthetic to ensure that you remain comfortable and safe throughout the procedure. They will also use state-of-the-art tools and methods to ensure that procedure is as quick and painless as possible. Tooth extraction is often the best option for getting rid of decay and infection in the mouth and protecting the gums.
#2 Some Preparation is Necessary
When you visit a dentist for tooth extraction, they will need to prepare for the procedure by visually examining the affected tooth and taking radiographs of the affected area to determine the extent of decay and damage and determine how best to extract the tooth. It is important that you use this time to provide your dentist with information about your medical history, including any previous hospitalizations, surgeries, or underlying medical concerns, as well as any medications you are currently taking. If you require wisdom tooth extractions near you, your dentist will need to take a panoramic x-ray to get a detailed picture of their placement in your mouth.
#3 You Must Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene
It is very important to maintain good oral hygiene no matter what, but it is especially crucial to maintain an excellent oral hygiene routine before getting a tooth extraction. This will help promote healing and lower your risk of complications post-treatment. Gently brush your teeth the evening before your surgery and the morning before your extraction.
Once the extraction has happened, you will still need to maintain good oral hygiene practices. You can still brush and floss your teeth, but you will need to be careful to avoid the extraction site for the first couple of days. Once 24 hours have passed, you can also rinse your mouth with warm salt water to help with inflammation and bleeding. This can be done up to three times a day and is especially useful after meals.
#4 Do Not Smoke
Cigarettes contain tons of chemicals that are very dangerous to your oral and overall health. Smoking before and after getting tooth extractions in Aldergrove will increase your risk of infection, dry socket, and tooth decay.
As a general rule of thumb, smoking should be avoided for a week before and a week after your tooth extraction procedure. If you feel that you cannot abstain from smoking for this long, you should speak to your dentist and doctor to create a plan to ensure that you can get a tooth extraction without serious complications.
#5 Manage Swelling
It is normal to experience some discomfort and swelling following your extraction. You can use cold compresses on the outside of the extraction site for twenty minutes at a time to reduce inflammation and bruising. You can also ask your dentist about anti-inflammatory medications and determine if they are safe to use for pain and swelling following your procedure.
Often, your dentist will prescribe you pain medications and antibiotics following a tooth extraction, and if you take these as directed, they should also aid with your swelling, discomfort, and pain.
#6 Watch Out for Bleeding
Most patients experience some bleeding following their tooth extraction procedure. Your dentist will send you home with gauze pads packed into the extraction site and will often give you more gauze to take home. Make sure that you keep the gauze placed in your mouth by your dentist in place for at least half an hour. After this, you can switch out the gauze as needed to staunch bleeding. The bleeding should subside after an hour or so.
You can also use a moist tea bag over the extraction site for half an hour. Teabags are helpful for bleeding because they contain tannic acid that helps your body form natural blood clots and stop bleeding.
If you continue to bleed for several hours after your tooth extraction procedure or notice severe, persistent pain even with the help of painkillers, contact your dental office right away for a checkup to ensure that there is nothing going wrong with your extraction site and that you aren’t facing any complications.
Visit Our Dentist Near You
It is important to remember that tooth extractions are a safe, common, and necessary procedure performed to enhance your oral health, alleviate pain, and promote an overall better quality of life.
If you are interested in learning more about tooth extractions, our Aldergrove dentist is happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about the process. With the right care and attention, tooth extractions can be easily performed, and patients often heal without any complications or pain. If you are ready to move forward with your tooth extraction procedure, please do not hesitate to reach out to our dedicated team of dental professionals at Aldergrove Dental Clinic and book your appointment today.
