TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
IN HALES CORNERS

The most common reason you may need a tooth extraction is to remove wisdom teeth that are growing in improperly. Wisdom teeth are our third set of molars, which usually erupt between the ages of 17-25. By this time, most people do not have enough space in their mouths to accommodate a third set of molars, so wisdom teeth may grow in sideways, fail to erupt properly, or even shift the position of other teeth in your mouth. For these reasons, extraction is usually recommended once wisdom teeth begin to come in.
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Tooth extractions may also be required if a tooth is severely damaged due to an oral injury or tooth decay, and cannot be saved with a root canal. You may also need your teeth to be removed in order to prepare for oral surgery such as implants or full-arch dentures. If you believe that you might be in need of an extraction, contact us today.

The first step of a basic tooth extraction is to numb and clean the area. Then, Dr. Keeling will use specialized dental tools to loosen the tooth in its socket. Once the tooth is loose, he will use a special forceps to grasp the tooth by its root and pull it out. The area will then be cleaned and the empty socket will be sutured shut to promote faster healing. This process will be repeated until all of the necessary extractions are complete. Each extraction usually takes less than 5 minutes.

After your tooth has been extracted, you will usually be given a prescription for pain medication to help you deal with any discomfort. It will usually take a few days to recover after tooth removal. You may experience pain, discomfort, and some light bleeding. It’s important to rest and relax for at least 24 hours after your extraction, and avoid using a straw.
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You will also need to eat a mostly-soft diet, consisting of foods like yogurt, applesauce, and pudding. Foods with sharp edges could cause pain and bleeding while you chew. After a few days, your gums will be mostly healed. If you continue experiencing pain, discomfort and bleeding after this time period, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Wisdom teeth do not necessarily always need to be removed, but this is less common because most people do not have enough space in their jaws to accommodate these extra molars. 

This results in impaction that causes many different problems including tooth and jaw pain, infection, tooth decay, headaches, mouth ulcers, gums disease, damage to other teeth, gum inflammation, sinus issues, and orthodontic problems. 

There are two scenarios where we will advise you to have your wisdom teeth extracted. The first is that they are currently causing you problems such as pain or infection. The second scenario is that we’ve taken x-rays to see the angle your wisdom teeth are coming in and how they’re sitting in the jaw to determine if they are likely to cause problems in the future.

The most common complication following an extraction is developing a condition called dry socket. This means that either a blood clot was never formed at the site of the extraction or it has been dislodged, exposing the underlying bone. 

This is extremely painful, delays your healing, and increases your risk of infection. The best way to avoid dry socket is to follow your aftercare instructions closely. Do not smoke and avoid all forms of suction, including drinking through straws.

Do not spit or vigorously rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours. You should also avoid strenuous exercise which can dislodge the blood clot. Rest for the first few days. Some people are at an increased risk of developing dry socket, such as women taking oral contraceptives.

You also need to bite down on your gauze that are placed in your mouth for about 30 to 60 minutes before changing them with fresh gauze or wet caffeinated tea bags. You should change your gauze as needed before they become soaked with blood.

Besides avoiding suction, smoking, and exercising, you should also avoid alcohol for the first 24 hours as well as hot beverages. Do not eat any hard, sticky, crunchy, or chewy foods, immediately after tooth extraction. 

You will need to eat a soft-food-only diet for at least a week and chew on the other side of your mouth. The first day or so should consist mainly of liquids and broths. As the days go on, you can start incorporating slightly more solid foods like pasta or mashed potatoes.

You should also apply a cold compress to the area for about 15 minutes at a time and keep your head elevated to reduce swelling. Some minor pain and tenderness can be expected for the first few days and can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory pain medication.

Avoid touching the blood clot with your fingers or tongue. It should be left alone as much as possible. After the first 24 hours, you can rinse your mouth with a lukewarm saltwater solution a few times a day. The day after your extraction, you should continue to brush and floss like normal but avoid the extraction site.