Dental Extractions
Teeth should be taken out only as a last resort. Missing teeth can make it difficult to chew, cause jaw pain, and move other teeth out of place. Dr. Mitchell will tell you what all of your options are. He will also help you find a way to replace the missing tooth with an implant, denture, or bridge.
Benefits of Dental Extractions
- Ends the pain caused by a severely damaged tooth
- Stops further tooth decay
- Prevents gum disease
- Keeps an infection from spreading
3 Reasons for Dental Extractions
1) Decay or injury has made the tooth unusable.
2) The mouth does not have enough room for the tooth.
3) There is a severe infection in the tooth, the gum, or the bone.
Will dental extractions hurt?
Dr. Mitchell will do everything possible to make sure that your tooth extraction is done as quickly and painlessly as possible. His assistants are on your side. They are specially trained to notice if you are uncomfortable and will alert Dr. Mitchell if you are experiencing difficulties.
It is normal for a patient to feel discomfort during a tooth extraction. It is actually a sign of a medical problem if there is no discomfort at all!
Types of Anesthesia Used
Dr. Mitchell has many ways to make the extraction as painless as possible. First Dr. Mitchell uses a very strong anesthesia to numb the mouth. This is so that you do not feel the shot which delivers the real anesthesia necessary to numb the entire mouth. The shot contains Articain, the strongest anesthesia available.
Forms of Sedation
If you require more profound sedation, Dr. Mitchell offers Benzodiazepine Anesthesia, which is taken orally and is stronger than Valium. Nitrous oxide is also available.
Pressure should be felt when the tooth is being removed. Any kind of sharp pain should not be felt at all.
What happens after the dental extraction?
After your tooth is extracted the best way to stop any bleeding is with a piece of sterile gauze held in place for an hour. Dr. Mitchell will fold the gauze into a tight package. Holding the gauze in place by biting down with gentle pressure will help the mouth form a blood clot in the empty socket. In some cases stitches will be needed to help heal.
What should you expect after the extraction?
Most of the swelling will occur over the next 3 days. Apply ice packs to the swollen side of your face for 10 minutes at a time, with a 10 minute break between applications. Be sure to take any medication that Dr. Mitchell has prescribed immediately after the extraction. Rest often and keep your head elevated for the first 24 hours.
It is normal to bleed slightly 36-48 hours after an extraction. Slight bleeding means that a very small amount of blood may be visible in the saliva. If heavy bleeding starts, place a wet tea bag over the socket and apply gentle pressure. Never use napkins or tissues to stop the bleeding.
Brush and floss your teeth like normal after the extraction, but avoid the teeth around the empty socket.
What are you allowed to eat after the extraction?
You should only eat soft foods for 48 hours after the extraction. Examples of soft foods are yogurt, pudding, Jello, soup, ice cream, milkshakes, eggs, mashed potatoes, etc. Do not drink through a straw. Sucking or spitting creates a vacuum in the mouth that can break the blood clot and cause heavy bleeding.
What should you avoid?
For the first 48 hours:
- Do not smoke
- Do not drink alcohol
- Do not drink through a straw
- Do not rinse your mouth
- Do not use a mouthwash
- Do not do any strenuous activity
When should sutures be removed?
Be sure to return to Dr. Mitchell 5-7 days after the extraction to remove sutures if you received them.