Tooth Extraction

Tooth extractions are performed for many reasons. These reasons include a painful wisdom tooth or a tooth that has been severely damaged by decay.

In some cases, a dentist will pull a tooth to make space for dental prosthetics or braces.

Reasons for Pulling Teeth

Dentists and oral surgeons remove teeth for many reasons. These include:

• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Infection
• Trauma to the tooth or surrounding structures
• Wisdom teeth complications (impacted wisdom tooth)
• Preparation for a dental prosthesis (dentures)
• Preparation for orthodontia (dental braces, if the teeth are crowded)
• Baby teeth not falling out at the proper age

Preparing for Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction Cheltenham is a quick and safe process.

However, just like any other minor procedure, it is important to inform your dentist about your complete medical history.

This will minimise the risk of complications, even though complications rarely occur during this routine procedure.

Before having your tooth pulled, make sure to inform your dentist if you have any of the following:

• Congenital heart condition
• Damaged heart valves
• Liver disease
• Compromised immune system
• History of bacterial endocarditis
• History of bleeding
• Any bone problems
• Any medical procedures recently performed
• Any medications or supplements you are taking
• If you are pregnant

Tooth Extraction Cheltenham Procedure

During a tooth extraction procedure, your dentist will numb the area with a local anaesthetic.

If the extraction involves an impacted tooth, the tooth may be cut into pieces before it is removed.

Extracting teeth falls into two basic categories: simple and surgical.

Simple: A simple tooth extraction Cheltenham involves pulling a tooth that is visible in the mouth.

This could mean removing a badly broken or decayed tooth or removing teeth before getting braces.

General dentists can do simple teeth extractions. When you undergo a simple tooth extraction, you will receive local anaesthesia.

In most cases, over-the-counter pain relievers are enough for pain management after the procedure.

Surgical: Surgical tooth extraction, an operation by an oral surgeon, involves removal of teeth that are not visible in the mouth, because they have not come in or because the tooth is broken.

Patients with special medical conditions may receive general anaesthesia during this procedure.

Your dental surgeon may also prescribe pain medications for use immediately after surgical tooth extraction procedures.

Tooth Extraction Healing and Recovery

Follow these tips to make recovery easier:

Avoid:

• Sucking on the extraction site
• Touching it with your tongue
• Using a straw
• Spitting
• Eating solids — especially hard and crunchy — foods
• Rinsing the mouth vigorously
• Drinking alcoholic beverages or using a mouthwash containing alcohol
• Smoking

Stick primarily to liquids until the anaesthesia wears off, and then limit your diet to soft and nutritious foods for the first few days after tooth extraction.

For the first few days after the procedure, if you must, rinse your mouth gently.

If there’s swelling, apply a cold cloth or an ice pack and call your dentist right away. Ask about pain medications you should take.

You can brush and floss the other teeth as usual. But don’t brush the teeth next to the extraction site.

If you are experiencing lasting pain after several days, or seeing signs of an infection —including fever, swelling, and pus or drainage from the incision — book an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible.

When to Call the Dentist

It is normal to feel acute pain after the anaesthesia wears off. For the first 24 hours after the procedure, you should also expect some swelling and continuing bleeding.

However, if either bleeding or pain remains unchanging for more than four hours after your tooth is pulled, call your dentist immediately.

Contact your dentist if you experience any of the following:

• Symptoms of infection, including fever and chills
• Nausea or vomiting
• Redness, swelling, or excessive discharge in the extraction site
• Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain

The healing period usually takes about one to two weeks. New bone and gum tissue will grow into the gap during this period.

However, having a missing tooth (or multiple teeth) can cause the remaining teeth to shift into the new space, affecting your bite and making chewing a difficult task.

For that reason, your dentist may advise replacing the missing tooth or teeth with an implant, fixed bridge, or denture.

Tooth Extraction in Cheltenham

Remember, when having a tooth pulled, today’s modern procedures and follow-up care (as recommended by your dentist) are there for your benefit and comfort.

At Captivate Dental, we carry out minor oral surgery and wisdom tooth extraction.

Visit your Cheltenham dentist today!

Tooth Extraction in Cheltenham

For more information about tooth extractions in Cheltenham, call us on (03) 9553 1249. Visit us on the web, or use our convenient online booking page.

We are located at 36 Chesterville Road in Cheltenham.