Tooth Extractions

At Family Dental Centre we know that natural is best. Keeping your own teeth is always first prize, and we will always do our best to make that happen.

Just like you cannot build a house on a foundation of chip-board, sometimes the natural tooth has been decayed to the point that building a beautiful tooth on top just does not make sense. It cannot last, because the foundation is not strong.

At times like these the solution is to remove the offending tooth. This allows the body to heal without harbouring harmful bacteria, causing inflammation and pain. It also prevents the needless destruction of healthy jaw bone, which is important to keep if you want to replace the tooth you are going to remove.

Frequently asked questions

Why are teeth extracted?

Teeth are extracted to remove a source of actual or potential bacterial infection which can cause significant discomfort. This is done for teeth which are hopelessly broken down and therefore unrestorable, unresponsive to conventional therapy, or because a patient no longer wishes to keep them.

Extractions are psychologically daunting to patients but seldom turn out to be as bad as they feared. At Family Dental Centre, your dentist will first assess the situation by means of a clinical examination and an x-ray. He will then discuss his diagnosis with you and give you the possible options for treatment.

Once extraction has been decided on, he will apply a topical anaesthetic jelly to numb the surface of the gum. After this has taken effect, the tooth, bone and gums will be numbed using a local anaesthetic.

Depending on the circumstances, the tooth will then be removed with as little trauma as possible, either conventionally or surgically. Neither of these two options involves pain, although the process differs slightly. We always remove teeth as atraumatically as possible so as to preserve the maximum amount of bone in case you ever wish to replace the tooth with a dental implant, bridge or removable denture.

How long does an extraction take?

This really depends on the tooth being extracted and the health of the bone and gum supporting the tooth. In general, single tooth extractions take between a few seconds and about 30 minutes. Most of the time the dentist will be able to give you an indication beforehand of how challenging he expects the procedure to be.

Will it hurt?

There is no reason for a dental procedure to be painful nowadays. Sometimes, if an acute infection is present, this can interfere with the anaesthetic and your dentist may recommend a course of antibiotics prior to pulling the tooth. This is not common with our modern anaesthetics.

How long will my recovery take?

Different people respond differently, but usually you will have some discomfort for about 3 days following an extraction. If you follow the post-op instructions you are given and make use of the painkillers your dentist prescribes, the pain is usually minimal and does not significantly impact daily activities.

After a tooth extraction: caring for your mouth

When you have had a tooth extracted, you need to take care of your mouth. Doing certain things, even on the first day, may help you to feel better and heal faster.

Control bleeding

To help control bleeding, bite firmly on the gauze placed by your dentist. The pressure helps to form a clot in the tooth socket. If you have a lot of bleeding, bite on a regular tea bag. The tannic acid in the tea aids in forming a blood clot. Bite on the gauze or the tea bag until the bleeding stops (wait about 15 minutes before checking). Slight oozing of blood on the first day or two is normal.

Minimise pain

To lessen any pain, take prescribed medication as directed. Do not drive while taking any pain medication, as you may feel drowsy. Ask your dentist if you may take over-the-counter medication if needed.

Reduce swelling

Put an ice pack on your cheek near the extraction site. You can make an ice pack by putting ice in a plastic bag and wrapping it in a thin towel. Apply it to your cheek for 10 minutes, then remove it for 5 minutes. Repeat as needed. You may see some bruising on your face. This is normal and will go away on its own.

Get enough rest

Limit activities for the first 24 hours after an extraction. Rest during the day and go to bed early. When lying down, elevate your head slightly and consider covering your pillow with a towel on the first night to protect it.

Things that are a good idea

• Eat soft, healthy foods and snacks. It may be easier to eat soft foods soon after your extraction. Also drink plenty of liquids.
• Brush your teeth gently. Avoid bruising around the extraction socket. Do not use any toothpaste for the first day or two, as rinsing toothpaste from your mouth may dislodge the blood clot.
• Keep the extraction site clean. After 24 hours you may be able to gently rinse your mouth. Rinse 3 times a day with 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.

Things that may hinder recovery

• Do not drink with a straw. Sucking on a straw may dislodge the clot.
• Do not drink hot liquids. Hot liquids may increase swelling and bleeding. Limit your alcohol use, as excessive alcohol may slow healing.
• Do not smoke. Smoking may break down the clot and constrict blood vessels, leading to a painful “dry socket”.