Tooth Extractions in Mill Creek WA

Even though your teeth are meant to last throughout your life, sometimes a tooth needs to be extracted. At Forum Dental Group we do all we can with general dentistry to help you keep your natural teeth, but when that is not possible, we perform extractions with care and compassion. We understand how upsetting it can be to lose a tooth. Our relaxed and comforting atmosphere along with our gentle chair side approach helps to make the procedure easier to endure.

Generally speaking, the extraction of most teeth in Mill Creek WA is a routine procedure which can be performed quickly, particularly where anterior or front teeth are concerned. The number of roots a tooth has can determine how difficult the procedure will be. Front teeth have one root, back teeth can have anywhere from two to four roots depending on the tooth. Difficulty of the extraction is also determined by the top of the tooth. When a tooth is badly decayed or damaged and there is not much left of the top, the procedure may require more time.

Your comfort is one of our top priorities at Forum Dental Group. Rest assured that if you need a tooth extracted it will be done with care and compassion. We want you to be calm and relaxed during the procedure. In many cases, the tooth is out before the patient realizes it. Once your tooth is removed, you will be given instructions on how to care for the extraction site so that it can heal quickly without problems.

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Anesthesia Used For Tooth Extractions in Mill Creek WA

Unless it is a comprehensive wisdom tooth extraction procedure, most tooth extractions will typically use a local anesthetic which will numb a specific area of your mouth for a few hours. This numb sensation should eventually wear off, and normal sensitivity will return. If it doesn’t, you should contact your dentist.

While still under the effect of the anesthesia, you should try not to move your mouth, or to bite on anything. You will not be able to feel it should you bite your tongue or cheek until the freezing wears off.  Depending on the circumstances, your dentist may prescribe a painkiller to help with the discomfort you may experience after the extraction.

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Bleeding

Depending on the extent of the work, your Mill Creek WA dentist may put a gauze covering on top of the extraction to protect the blood clot. It’s important at this early stage to simply let the gauze do its work to apply some pressure and gently cover the extracted area. There will still be some bleeding shortly after the extraction, but this will gradually stop, as the clotting process gets underway.

If you are given a gauze pack to keep in your mouth after the visit, you should continue to use it for 30-45 minutes after the visit. After that, carefully remove it, and replace it with another gauze pack of for another 30-45 minutes. You should keep doing this until the bleeding stops. Don’t confuse a little bit of blood mixed in with saliva for a serious flow of blood. However, if the bleeding hasn’t stopped after a few hours, you should contact your dentist.

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The First 24 Hours After A Tooth Extraction

While the clot is covering the extraction area and solidifying, you should do as little as possible to disturb it. Otherwise, you will be slowing down your own healing process. Strenuous activity should be avoided during this period.

Contrary to what you may believe, you should also avoid drinking with a straw. Using a straw will create suction in your mouth which may cause you to start bleeding again. Avoid rinsing your mouth, and stay away from alcoholic beverages or mouthwash as these will be extremely painful when they make contact. Do not smoke, as this will slow down the healing process.

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Wisdom Teeth Removal

During the late teens or early twenties, wisdom teeth make their appearance. There are some people who have no problems with these teeth coming in. For others it can be a nightmare with discomfort, swelling and pain. Regular dental checkups at Forum Dental Group will allow us to monitor the growth of wisdom teeth so that intervention can be implemented before problems crop up. If you are feeling the pain of wisdom teeth coming in, contact us today and make an appointment for an assessment of your situation.

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Even though it’s not a major medical procedure, you should take care of yourself after tooth extraction. Take it easy to give yourself the best possible chance of healing quickly. Rinse the mouth gently to clean it, and don’t brush the affected area. Our team at Forum Dental Group is here to help.