Tooth extraction/removal is the extraction of a tooth permanently from its socket in the jaw bone. You might be thinking it as a very painful process, but it is a minor medical procedure which rarely causes any infection or complication.
Why Tooth Extraction?
- Tooth damage due to infection or decay or breakage. This is a most common reason for tooth extraction.
- Extra tooth that obstruct other teeth from coming in
- Extra tooth that obstruct orthodontic treatment i.e. to make space for this treatment
- Tooth that is unsuitable for root canal treatment
- Tooth associated with gum diseases
- Tooth that is not properly positioned
- Impacted tooth
Aftercare of Tooth Extraction:
- Strictly and carefully follow the aftercare measures suggested by your dentist.
- Take medicines as prescribed by your dentist.
- Encourage a clot to form at the extraction site.
- Avoid smoking till the extraction site is completely healed.
- Avoid doing vigorous exercise for one week.
- Avoid strenuous activity at least for 5 to 6 hours after the extraction.
- Avoid hard foods. For the first three days take liquids without using a straw and have soft foods.
- Strictly avoid chewing on the extraction site till the wound is okay.
- Apply wrapped ice packs to reduce facial swelling.
- Put half teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and rinse your mouth gently for few days to keep the area clean.
Complications involved in Tooth Extraction:
Complications associated with tooth extraction are very rare. One may have pain, bleeding, and swelling that subsides after few hours. At times it may cause some complications. The potential complications of tooth extraction include:
- Temporary numbness
- Postoperative infection
- Jaw fracture
- Jaw joint pain.
- Dry socket that may develop due to delayed healing
- Infection
- Prolonged bleeding
- A small hole in the Sinus during extraction that may occur during upper molar and upper premolar extraction. Dentists check this problem before extraction. It requires surgery if it does not heal spontaneously.
- Accidental damage to adjoining teeth
- An incomplete extraction where the tooth root accidentally remains in the jaw which causes infection (Dentist generally remove the tooth root to prevent infection).
When to contact your dentist after the treatment?
Contact your dentist immediately if you experience the following:
- If the swelling gets worse
- High temperature (fever and chills)
- Severe pain
- Prolonged bleeding after 24 hours
- In all the above cases or any thing else, if feel you have developed a complication associated with your tooth extraction, immediately contact your dentist
Important Note:
If your dentist suggests you for dental extraction after checking your teeth, it is important to intimate him if you in the following cases.
- If had any recent operation
- If you have any medical conditions
- If you have any sort of allergies
- If you are taking any drugs
