Frederick Jace
Human beings will have two sets of teeth in their lifetime: the milk teeth and the permanent teeth. The milk teeth come out during the child’s infancy and fall off starting at 7 years old. Milk teeth get replaced by permanent teeth which are stronger and are meant to last until old age.
As you live with your permanent teeth, the length of stay is affected by different factors. Your diet, activities, and oral habits can greatly affect the health of your teeth. Your dentist will do everything to keep the teeth from falling off with the help of dental treatments. However, sometimes, decay or trauma cause extensive damage to the teeth which brings dentists to a decision to extract them. Any tooth extraction in London can be done by a dentist or an oral surgeon.
A good dentist in Ottawa will exhaust every means to save your tooth from getting pulled out. There are two types of procedures used to extract a tooth — simple and surgical.
- Simple Extraction – A tooth that is visible in the mouth and can be grasped with a forceps are those that can be extracted using simple extraction. This procedure is performed in a dental office under local anesthesia to keep the patient from feeling pain.
- Surgical Extraction – A tooth or teeth that have broken below the gumline or have not fully erupted, such as the case of impacted wisdom teeth, will need to be surgically removed. The procedure is done by a dentist in a clinic or in a hospital under general anesthesia rendering the patient completely unconscious.
Reasons for Extraction
There are many reasons for a dentist to call for an extraction. The following are just few of the situations and circumstances that can lead to getting a tooth pulled out:
- Trauma
The teeth can become injured in a traumatic accident such as a fall, a blow to the face, or a collision. A tooth could loosen known as luxation, or it can break known as a fracture.
- Overcrowding
Overcrowding occurs when there isn’t enough room in the jaw to fit all the permanent teeth. It is the primary cause for teeth to become crooked, which can be treated with orthodontia. For this procedure to work, some of the teeth need to be removed to make room for the teeth to move.
- Impaction
Impaction happens when a tooth is prevented from growing up out of the gums in its intended position. It happens when the gum fails to erupt completely or if there is something that blocks the tooth from growing. This is a common scenario in wisdom teeth. The extraction process involves removing the impacted tooth which often means a surgery is necessary.
- Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease can affect the structures that surround the teeth. The most visible of the structures are the gums and the periodontal socket where the tooth sits called the alveolus. When plaque forms on the teeth, the bacteria causes periodontal infection. When it progresses, it can affect the gums and the alveolus causing the teeth to loosen and often, lead to extraction.
- Severe tooth decay
Tooth decay is considered severe when it affects the pulp at the center of the tooth. It becomes vulnerable to infection. If it is still in the earlier stage, you may still seek for root canal treatments in Guelph but on more severe cases, an extraction becomes necessary.
Do’s of Tooth Extraction
After a tooth is removed, you will need to take care of your mouth. Here are some of the things that can help you feel better and heal sooner:
- Control the bleeding
Immediately after extraction, bite on the gauze placed by your dentist. If you have a lot of bleeding, bite on a regular tea bag because the tannic acid in the tea helps in blood to clot. You will notice bleeding on the first day but do not be alarmed because this is normal.
- Medication for pain relief
You will experience pain on the site of extraction especially after the anesthesia wears off. Be sure to drink the medicine prescribed by your doctor.
- Reduce swelling
Put an ice pack on your check near the extraction site to reduce swelling. Repeat this as needed.
- Rest
As much as possible, limit your activities on the first day after extraction. When resting, elevate your head slightly.
- Soft diet
Eat healthy soft food and snacks to help with your hunger.
- Keep the site clean
Rinse your mouth with a mix of salt and water or using an antiseptic wash that your dentist recommends. Brush your teeth gently, around the extraction area.
- Call your dentist
Get in touch with your dentist if you notice any problem in the extraction site. You may also have to see them for a follow-up check-up.
Don’ts of Tooth Extraction
Your body will need to heal after the extraction. So you can help it heal faster, here are the things that you should avoid:
- Don’t get involved in rigorous activities
Whether it is a simple or a surgical extraction, allow your body to rest. Do not get involved in rigorous activities in the first 24 hours after.
- Don’t drinking hot liquids
Hot liquids can increase the swelling in the site of extraction. Limit any hot soup, drinks, and alcohol to aid healing.
- Don’t drink with a straw
Sucking on a straw may dislodge blood clot.
- Don’t smoke
Smoking may break down blood clot and cause pain on your tooth socket .
- Don’t eat crunchy, chewy, and hard food
As much as it is tempting to indulge in steak, apples, and other food choices, they will not help your gums and jaws to rest.
- Don’t use harsh oral health products
Alcohol-based mouth washes, toothpastes, and other products can cause irritation on the extraction site. Ask your dentist for recommendations for products that clean the mouth gently.
- Don’t talk too much
Your dentist will tell you to refrain from talking too much on the first few hours after extraction since you need to bite on the gauze to aid in blood clotting.
Tooth extraction is a procedure that a lot of people have gone through. By following the advice of experts like this cosmetic dentist in newmarket on, you can heal faster and enjoy your daily activities without fear that a toothache will stop it.
