What to Expect with a Tooth Extraction

For most people, visiting the dentist is far from a welcome occasion – the noisy tools, sharp objects, and uncertainty of what could happen at their appointment can make dental visits a dreaded occasion. The anxiety surrounding receiving professional dental care is frequently due to not knowing what is going to happen.

Fear of the unknown is one of the reasons why receiving a tooth extraction is so feared. Having a dentist in Owings Mills who fully understands the costs associated with the procedure, along with knowing what happens during an extraction, how you can prepare for your procedure, and what the recovery process is like can help to alleviate any uneasiness you may feel.

Tooth extractions are often necessary when a tooth becomes damaged, broken or loose. The procedure consists of the tooth being removed from the socket in your jawbone. No matter why you may need to have a tooth extraction, you should know the costs, what will happen during the procedure, how to prepare and what the recovery process will consist of.

Before your tooth extraction, your dentist will take an x-ray so that he or she can plan for removing the tooth. You will also need to let your dental care provider know about your medical history and what method of sedation is best for you. If you have a cold, nasal congestion, nausea or vomiting up to a week before your procedure, it may need to be delayed. To ensure your safety and the best outcome possible you need to let your dentist know if you experience any of those symptoms.

What to Do Before Your Tooth Extraction

Tell your dentist in Owings Mills about any medications and supplements you’re currently taking. You should also let your dental care provider know about any medical conditions you have that could cause you to be at a higher risk of an infection. These conditions include:

• Artificial joint, such as knee or hip replacement
• Liver disease (cirrhosis)
• Impaired immune system
• Congenital heart defect
• Damaged or man-made heart valves
• History of bacterial endocarditis

The type of tooth extraction procedure you will need to have will depend on the reason why you need the extraction. A simple tooth extraction is performed when the tooth is visible within the mouth. It requires the tooth to be loosened and then removed. A surgical tooth extraction is a more complicated procedure that is undergone when a tooth is located below the gum line. This procedure requires a small cut be made in the gum.

No matter what type of extraction procedure you need, you will be given a local anesthetic to ensure that you don’t feel any pain. In some instances, intravenous anesthetic may be utilized when you receive a surgical extraction. You shouldn’t feel any pain during your procedure, just a bit of pressure. You should let your dentist know if you feel any sort of pinching or pain during your extraction.

What to Do After Your Tooth Extraction

Once your tooth has been removed, your dentist in Owings Mills will place gauze on the tooth socket. You will then need to bite down on the gauze to reduce bleeding. Your dentist may use self-dissolving stitches to close your extraction site.

When you go home, you will need to follow these important guidelines:

• Take it easy for at least 24 hours.
• Keep biting down on the gauze for a minimum of three hours to lessen bleeding and allow a blood cloth to form. Replace gauze whenever it is necessary.
• Apply ice afterwards and keep applying it for 10-minute intervals.
• Avoid lying flat. Keep your head propped up on pillows.
• Don’t spit forcibly, drink from a straw or rinse for 24 hours following your procedure.
• 24 hours after your procedure, rinse using a solution of ½ a teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water.
• Eat foods like soups, applesauce and yogurt. You can begin to add solid foods as the site of the extraction heals.
• Avoid the site of the extraction when brushing and flossing.
• Follow your dentist’s instructions when taking painkillers.

You can expect there to be a certain amount of swelling, pain and bleeding afterwards, however you should call your dentist in Owings Mills if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Severe pain, swelling or bleeding anytime after the first four hours
• Fever, chills or other symptoms of an infection
• Redness, swelling or excessive discharge from the site of the extraction
• Nausea or vomiting
• Coughing, shortness of breath or chest pain

Call your dentist in Owings Mills immediately if you experience uncontrolled bleeding, intense swelling, excessive pain, chills, fever, redness or difficulty swallowing.

In most cases, it takes one to two weeks for an extraction site to heal. Once the healing process has completed, you can return to your normal dental health care regimen.

What to Know About Extracting Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are an extra set of molars that emerge during early adulthood. They are located within the back of the mouth, on both the top and bottom gum lines. Extracting the wisdom teeth is a common preventive practice, however the wisdom teeth do not always need to be removed. In fact, wisdom tooth extraction as a preventive measure is a subject of debate among dental care professionals. There are multiple factors that must be considered when deciding whether the wisdom teeth should be taken out. You need to consider the benefits, risks, and the impact on your overall quality of life. You should also seek out the advice of a trustworthy dental health care professional in Owings Mills.

For many people, the wisdom teeth grow in straight and fit within their mouths. Other people never have their wisdom teeth grow in. Some people have wisdom teeth that grow in crooked or don’t have enough room to grow in, which can lead to a number of dental health issues.

Some dentists suggest that a wisdom tooth extraction be performed to prevent possible problems from occurring in the future. Having a consultation with your dentist and seeking out a second opinion is the best thing you can do when it comes to preparing for having your wisdom teeth extracted. Speaking with an affordable dentist you trust in Owings Mills can help you manage your long-term oral health care.

The American Dental Association (ADA) suggests that wisdom tooth extractions be performed for the following reasons:

• Tumor or cyst development
• Pain or discomfort
• Infection
• Development of gum disease
• Damage to nearby teeth
• Tooth decay

Although your wisdom teeth may not be causing you discomfort right now, preventive measures by your dentist in Owings Mills may still be necessary. The most common reasons why tooth extractions are performed for preventive reasons are:

• Potential for disease: Your wisdom teeth can sometimes be infected without any symptoms occurring.
• Safety: Many dentists believe that it’s difficult to predict if future problems will occur with impacted wisdom teeth and think that it’s safer to take them out before issues can occur.
• Age: Taking out the wisdom teeth when a person is younger reduces the risks that could occur before, during or after a tooth extraction procedure on an older person.

If your wisdom teeth aren’t causing you any problems, your dentist may not advise that they be removed. To find out if wisdom tooth extraction is right for you, consult with a caring dentist in Owings Mills to learn about whether this procedure is the right choice for you and your dental health.