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After Extraction Care

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Tooth Extraction

A dental extraction (also called exodontia) is the procedure of removing a tooth from the mouth.  Tooth removal (or teeth removal if more than one of course) may be recommended or necessary for several reasons. These include:

  • Tooth removal because a tooth is badly decayed or broken down and cannot be restored.
  • An abscessed tooth or teeth. Teeth removal may be necessary because a bad infection makes the tooth/teeth non-restorable.
  • Removal of teeth due to severe periodontal disease
  • Teeth removal as recommended by an orthodontist before placing braces. Orthodontics is usually the main reason for removing teeth that are otherwise healthy; this usually ensures the best orthodontic treatment results.
  • Extraction of wisdom teeth (these are third molars, which the very last teeth all the way in the back, top and bottom). Impacted wisdom teeth that have become painful (for whatever reason) are usually recommended to be extracted.

What to do after a Tooth Extraction

After a tooth extraction, patient compliance with his/her dentist’s instructions is very important for tooth extraction recovery. These include:

  • Placing constant pressure on the extraction site for at least an hour immediately after.
  • No spitting, smoking, using a straw, etc (pretty much, no suction or blowing actions that can remove the clot being formed in the socket). If the clot gets dislodged, this can result in a dry socket (which is very painful!).
  • No hot foods or liquids (for at least the first 24 hrs after the extractions).

Tooth Extraction Healing

After tooth removal, the empty socket will usually heal over time by itself. Another type of dental surgery (one that involves bone grafting) may be done to replace bone in the empty socket or restore some bone that was lost before the extraction. Tooth extraction healing times vary, and depend on individual patients.

The gum tissue should heal completely after about 3 or 4 weeks. The bone can take up to 6 months to heal.  A few things to note during extraction healing:

  • Very gentle rinsing after the first 24 hrs with warm salt water is advisable, as this helps to remove any food around the extraction site. Please note that only very gentle spitting is advisable!
  • Very gentle brushing around the extraction site, to keep the area clean.

We hope this helps!


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