Tooth Extractions
At times, getting a tooth extracted becomes the best action for a quicker recovery. Rest assured, our team strives relentlessly to minimize any discomfort.
The Tooth Extraction Process
At Jersey Smiles, we always strive to help you maintain your oral health, sometimes involving a tooth extraction. Although we prefer to keep all of your teeth, there are certain situations when it is necessary to extract a tooth to ensure your long-term oral health. Our tooth extraction process is quick and efficient, but proper aftercare is key to a successful recovery.
To control bleeding immediately after the extraction, we will ask you to bite down on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes to form a blood clot. It is crucial not to disturb the blood clot for the next 24 hours, so we advise against sucking through straws as it could cause a dry socket. We recommend placing an ice pack on the outer cheek to reduce swelling. Once the swelling subsides, a warm compress can be applied to the same area for comfort. To clean the extraction area, gently rinse your mouth with salt water.
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How do I prevent dry socket after tooth extraction?
When a tooth is extracted, a blood clot forms in the extraction site, the first step in the healing process. However, if this blood clot gets dislodged before the mouth fully recovers, it can cause a painful condition known as a dry socket. Here are six tips to avoid getting a dry socket:
- Avoid using straws or anything that creates suction or a significant air movement.
- Refrain from smoking tobacco as the rapid inhalation can dislodge the blood clot, and the chemicals may impede healing or cause an infection.
- Eat only soft foods such as applesauce, yogurt, and mashed potatoes for the first one or two days.
- Check with your doctor to ensure that your medications will not interfere with the healing process.
- Maintain good oral hygiene to keep your mouth clean, and consider using an antibacterial mouthwash.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on oral care to improve your recovery time.
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What can I eat after tooth extraction?
It’s important to stick to soft foods for the first couple of days following your tooth extraction. You don’t want to disturb the blood clot that has formed, so some foods you can eat are:
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Mashed potatoes
- Jello
- Pudding
- Ice cream
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What causes the need for tooth extraction?
Tooth extraction is a dental procedure in which a tooth is removed from its socket in the bone. Generally, tooth extraction is necessary when a tooth is damaged extensively by decay or broken and cannot be repaired with a filling or crown. However, there are other reasons why tooth extraction might be necessary. These include extra teeth blocking other teeth, baby teeth that have not fallen out in time for the permanent teeth to come in, braces, wisdom teeth often removed, or medical reasons.
More Questions?
If you have more questions about tooth extractions, please contact our office and we will be happy to discuss further. You can also request an appointment or see the other services we provide using the links below.
