What to Know About Tooth Extractions
At Pollard Dental, we do everything in our power to save your natural teeth. However, unfortunately, that is not always possible. In certain circumstances, we need to make the difficult decision to extract a tooth. A tooth extraction is when the entire tooth structure, including the root, is fully removed. There can be a number of reasons that a tooth may need to be removed, including a medical condition, severe decay due to neglect, trauma, gum disease, and spacing issues before orthodontic treatment.
Care Following an Extraction
After an extraction there are important rules that need to be followed. Ignoring our recommendations can lead to severe complications that could compromise your recovery. There are patients who have little to no difficulty and a short recovery time, while others need a few extra days of recovery. You want to be sure to follow the cues from your body and not push yourself to exercise too soon or attempt to eat tough and chewy foods before your mouth is ready. Following an extraction, we recommend:
- Relaxing for at least 24 hours after the procedure and limiting activity for the next few days.
- Eating soft foods such as soup, yogurt, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, jello, and pudding, being sure to avoid hard, crunchy, and chewy foods.
- Avoiding drinking through a straw for 24 hours.
- Not smoking, as the sucking motion could disrupt the healing process.
Continuing cleaning your teeth, being careful to avoid the extraction area
Choosing a Tooth Replacement Option
Unless wisdom teeth are being extracted or teeth are being removed to make room for orthodontic treatment, we always recommend choosing a tooth replacement option. Empty spaces in your mouth can lead to severe issues such as teeth shifting and eventually jawbone deterioration. We will help you choose a tooth replacement option that is most beneficial to your lifestyle.
To avoid tooth extractions, it is important to remain diligent with your dental hygiene visits. If you have not recently been to see us for a hygiene visit and dental exam, please contact our office located in Silverdale, WA to schedule your next appointment. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is here to help you with anything you need!
