While teeth play a crucial role in your oral and overall well-being, sometimes a tooth extraction is inevitable. For instance, if you have a severely decayed or impacted tooth, your dentist will likely recommend extracting it. If such a tooth isn't removed, it can cause increased discomfort and other complications such as sensitivity, swelling, and bleeding. If untreated, it can cause damage to surrounding oral structures such as the teeth, gums, and bone.

When Is Tooth Extraction Necessary?

If you're curious about situations in which a tooth extraction can be helpful, here are a few:

• A severe infection or tooth decay
• Injury or trauma
• Impacted tooth
• Baby teeth that don't fall out in time
• To give room for orthodontic treatments
• Severe periodontal disease

In most cases, a diseased or damaged tooth can be repaired with a root canal, filling, dental crown, veneers, or other dental procedures. Tooth extraction is recommended when the damage is too severe to repair.

To know whether you need a tooth extraction, you should visit your dentist for an exam. The dentist will evaluate your tooth's condition and advise you accordingly. Before completing any dental work, the dentist will learn about your medical history if a tooth extraction is necessary. Please make sure you tell them everything about your existing medications, your health conditions, and your allergies. All health conditions, such as liver and thyroid disease, diabetes, hypertension, impaired immune system, or artificial joints, are important for your dentist to know before proceeding with treatment.

The Extraction Procedure

Before the extraction, your dentist will review your medical history and take the appropriate X-rays. Next, they will numb the area surrounding the tooth to keep you relaxed during the extraction.

Depending on your condition, the dentist can either perform a simple or surgical extraction.

• Simple Extraction - This extraction is used when the tooth is visible in the mouth. The dentist loosens the damaged tooth and then removes it.
• Surgical Extraction – This extraction is used when the tooth isn't visible in the mouth. During the extraction, the dentist makes an incision to access the tooth for removal.

Immediately after extraction, the dentist may ask you to bite down on a piece of dry gauze until bleeding stops. The gauze helps in the formation of a clot to limit bleeding.

After the procedure, it's possible to experience side effects such as pain, bleeding, and swelling. Would you mind notifying the dentist if any occur? Depending on the type of extraction completed, the dentist in 91723 may prescribe medications to relieve pain, swelling, or prevent infection. Take medicine as directed by the dentist.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

Once the extraction is complete, good oral hygiene is important to promote healing and prevent infection. Immediately after the procedure, here are some tips to encourage faster recovery:

• Take medication as prescribed.
• Keep gauze pack in place as instructed and change it again
• Expect some bleeding for 24 hours.
• No heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for 48 hours.
• No spitting or sipping through a straw for 24 hours.
• Avoid smoking and other tobacco products for 48 hours.
• Avoid hot and spicy foods for 24 hours.
• No Aspirin; buy Tylenol or Motrin instead.
• If bleeding persists for more than 48 hours, contact the office at 626-967-6453.

When To Call Your Dentist

If you have any concerns, call your dentist immediately:

• Prolonged swelling and bleeding
• Severe discomfort or pain
• High temperature
• Fever

Ready for your tooth extraction dentist in 91723? Contact Jeffrey L. Cohen today to schedule your appointment.