What You Should Know When A Tooth Extraction Is Necessary

When your Tampa dentist advises that you undergo a tooth extraction, he does so for the good of your dental health. If we had it our way, everyone would have all of their teeth forever. Alas, that’s not always possible. One reason is there’s simply not enough room in your mouth to house all of your teeth. Another is that a tooth has become impacted and is no longer growing normally. Finally, when teeth are so badly damaged, they come to the point where they can no longer be repaired.

In all of these situations, either a simple or surgical extraction becomes necessary. The good news is that most of your teeth are easily removable and can be done so with a simple extraction.Your dentist will confirm which type of extraction is best for you with X-rays.

A simple extraction procedure is performed on teeth which can be seen in the mouth. First, your mouth will be numbed with local anesthesia. Your dentist will use an instrument called an “elevator” to loosen the tooth. Then forceps are used to pull it out.

A surgical extraction becomes necessary for teeth broken at the gum line or for those that haven’t emerged yet, like an impacted wisdom tooth. The tooth is removed through a small incision your dentist will make in your gum. After all pieces of your tooth have been removed, your wound will be stitched up. Some bleeding is normal and can be stopped by gently biting down on cotton gauze. Prolonged bleeding or pain after surgery should be reported immediately to your dentist.

A surgical extraction requires more healing time. Be careful with the extracted area for at least the first few days after surgery.During this time, do not smoke or use a straw. When brushing your teeth, be very gentle around the extraction spot. It’s also best to avoid any vigorous activity for the week following your surgery.

Make sure to follow the instructions of your Tampa dentist. Although the surface healing takes place within two weeks, your bone and soft tissue require three to six months for a full recovery.

Lastly, one more piece of advice. When your dentist recommends a tooth extraction, get it done as soon as possible! Putting off your extraction will only cause pain, misalignment and infection. Once your tooth has been removed, you can start to discuss replacement options, such as dental implants, to retain your beautiful smile!

We know that comprehensive dental care in Tampa can be hard to find! If you’re looking for a dentist in Tampa who can perform both simple and surgical tooth extractions, contact North Pointe Dental Associates!