• Starting Antibiotics

In a few circumstances, a dentist may prescribe antibiotics before an extraction.

For example, they may do so to treat dental infections with widespread symptoms, such as a fever or malaise, along with local oral swelling.

Toothaches without swelling do not require antibiotics. Always take antibiotics exactly as directed by a doctor, and avoid unnecessary use.

A person may need antibiotics if they have a high risk of infective endocarditis, an infection of the heart valves or the interior lining of the heart chambers.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), people with certain heart conditions have an increased risk of developing this infection following dental surgery.

The AHA and American Dental Association recommends, therefore, that people with any of the following take antibiotics prior to dental surgery to reduce the risk of infection:

  • a prosthetic cardiac valve
  • a history of cardiac valve repair with prosthetic material
  • a cardiac transplant with structural abnormalities of the valve
  • certain congenital heart abnormalities
  • a history of infective endocarditis

 

  • Anesthesia During Surgery

The person will receive an injection of local anesthetic close to the site of the extraction. This will numb the area so that the person will not feel any pain. The numbness will continue for a few hours after the surgery.

A person can request additional anesthetic or sedative medication to minimize anxiety during the procedure. The dentist or surgeon may offer:

  • nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas
  • an oral sedative medication
  • intravenous, or IV, sedation
  • general anesthetic

A person who receives general anesthetic will be completely asleep during the procedure.

If a person requires any of these, they should let their dentist know during the consultation, and our dentist may refer them to an oral surgeon.

Risks of Tooth Extraction Treatment:

Dentist doctor and his team treating a patient at clinic

Here are the common risks of the extraction treatment:

  • Severe Decay or Trauma – Known as an abscessed tooth, this condition can be preserved if caught early. However, it depends on the severity of how decayed it is. This to preserve your neighbored teeth from the same issues.
  • Poor Misalignment – Some people may have a crowded jawline that does not hold their teeth in the correct position. The jawbone may be expanded to allow for more space, or removal of a tooth and then fit the remaining teeth correctly.
  • A Dry Socket – A dry socket typically occurs when a blood clot did not form properly to protect the socket, resulting in a longer healing process.
  • Nerve Inflammation – The alveolar nerve in the lower jaw sometimes gets damaged. Whilst the nerve damage is temporary and can heal within 3 to 6 months, you could experience permanent numbness in the lower chin.
  • Significant Jaw Damage – People with a weak jawbone have a higher chance of contracting a jaw fracture.

Post Treatment Complications

After the extraction treatment, if there are still complications, you must contact the oral surgeon if you suffer from the following:

  • The swelling gets worse
  • If you begin to suffer from fevers, get the chills or redness
  • Difficulty in swallowing, especially when you eat and drink
  • You suffer from bleeding which becomes uncontrollable and continues to flow aggressively. This includes bleeding over a 24-hour period
  • If the tooth extracted area continues to be very painful. This could be a sign of development dry socket.
  • Your facial structure tends to feel numb a few hours after treatment

What is the recovery period?

Tooth extraction concept with an array

It normally takes a few days to recover after an extraction. The following steps help to make sure that your recovery goes smoothly and you do not have to face any problem.

  • Apply an ice pack to your cheek directly after the procedure in order to get rid of swelling. Use the ice pack for 10 minutes each time to prevent swelling.
  • After the dentist places the gauze pad over the affected area, bite down to reduce bleeding and to support in clot formation. Leave the gauze on for three to four hours, or until the pad is fully soaked with blood.
  • Take any medications as prescribed by our expert, including over-the-counter painkillers and make sure to consume them as per directed.
  • Rest and relax for the first 24 hours. Do not rush back  into your regular daily routine the following day as you need to relax.
  • Do not use a straw for the first 24 hours.
  • Avoid smoke as it is very injurious at that stage.
  • Don’t rinse for 24 hours after the extraction, and spit  gently when there is a need.
  • Use pillows to prop your head up when you lie down so that you feel relaxed.
  • Brush and floss your teeth like normal, but do not brush or floss the extraction site.
  • The day after the procedure do not eat hard or sticky foods instead eat soft foods, such as yogurt, pudding, and bread.
  • After 24 hours, add a teaspoon of salt to sixteen ounces of warm water to rinse out your mouth.
  • As you heal over the next few days, you can slowly reintroduce other foods into your diet.

If you are experiencing pain that isn’t going away after several days or signs of an infection —including fever, pain, and pus or drainage from the incision — make an appointment to see our expert as soon as possible.

Benefits of Tooth Extraction:

  • Extraction helps preventing the spread of infection and tooth decay.in case you do not want your smile to be ruined the best option is to have an extraction so that you can stay prevented from this threat.
  • Tooth extraction can help with overcrowding issues. Overcrowding tends to cause tooth misalignment in the smile and even dental issues. The dental issues form because when the teeth overlap, they are not easy to clean. This gives rise to the development of tooth decay, gum disease ,infections and other dental problems.
  • Extraction can relieve your pain and help you have a more precious smile which is painless. Once the decay and infection are gone, you will be able to talk and eat normally and spend a relieved life again!