Healing After Having Tooth Extraction

The healing time and complexity after having a tooth extraction cleveland texas can vary as much as the reason for the extraction and the difficulty in the extraction itself. Let’s look at a few reasons identifying the need for the extraction, the procedure and the healing associated with that procedure.

Several Reason for a Tooth Extraction

The most common reason is the removal of our wisdom teeth. This third set of molars many professionals now think are obsolete due to our evolution. Erupting between the ages of 16 and 25 they often crowd your teeth requiring them to be extracted to simply allow room in your mouth. Sometimes they don’t even erupt which now requires oral surgery to have the impacted tooth removed. A tooth can be subjected to a cavity, infection or disease that would require extraction versus the ability to save the tooth. Another uncontrollable reason is that of an unfortunate accident, such as a car accident, bike accident or even a fall. A sporting event or a physical activity can result in a cracked or broken tooth as well that cannot be saved and will need to be extracted.

The Tooth Extraction Procedure

The extraction can be as simple as the application of a numbing anesthetic around the tooth and then its removal. The procedure can now become more complicated with the size of the tooth and the root structure. Finally, if the tooth is impacted oral surgery becomes necessary.

The Healing Process after a Tooth Extraction

Basically after the extraction you have a hole in your soft tissue. The very first step you will encounter is to bite on some gauze to stop the bleeding. You may need to do this for up to three to four hours. Once the bleeding has stopped and you’re able to leave the dental office there are a number of common-sense activities that it is in your best interest to follow. In no particular order, for 24-48 hours, you will be asked to relax and limit any and all physical activities. You may need to apply some ice and even take some over the counter pain reducers. You may have directions to focus on eating soft foods such as soup, pudding, yogurt and applesauce for a few examples. You cannot drink through a straw for at least 24 hours. You are trying to develop a blood clot in that hole in which the extraction has left and sucking through a straw, even smoking a cigarette, will dislodge that clot. You may wish to lay down and keep your head elevated, to rinse with a warm salt water solution after 24 hours to promote healing. You should continue to brush and floss but you may want to avoid the extraction site for obvious reasons. The entire healing process after a tooth extraction could last as long as a week or two and you will be back to normal. At that time you will evaluate your options with your dentist regarding replacement.

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