If a tooth becomes damaged, impacted, or severely decayed, your dentist may recommend a tooth extraction procedure. Dental extractions are a general dental treatment that is safe and made comfortable using local anesthetics and oral sedatives. Sedation dentistry keeps patients calm and comfortable during the extraction procedure for pain-free treatment.
Waterford Family and Cosmetic Dentistry provides tooth extractions for patients in Leland, NC. If you are feeling tooth pain from an impacted wisdom tooth or infected tooth, call our office today.
Simple and Complex Tooth Extractions
Simple tooth extractions are performed on teeth that are visible from the gum line and may be removed in one piece. We will gently rock it back and forth until it is freed from the jawbone. If a tooth is not visible from the gum line, a complex, or surgical extraction is needed. During this extraction, a small incision is made in the gums so we can reach the tooth. We then remove the tooth in fragments.
If we extract teeth due to infection, we can replace them with dental bridges. Replacing missing teeth after tooth extraction helps to prevent shifting and overcrowded teeth.
Removing Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth that emerge, usually when patients are in their late teens or early 20s. When wisdom teeth become impacted, they can cause a wide range of oral health concerns. If there is no space left in the mouth for your wisdom teeth to emerge, teeth can wear down the molars in the back of the mouth.
Many patients feel tooth and gum pain when their wisdom teeth begin to emerge. We recommend visiting our office biannually so we can keep track of your wisdom teeth with x-rays and determine the right time for an extraction.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
At Waterford Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Leland, our care for you doesn’t end when your tooth extraction procedure is complete. In fact, the steps you take in the hours and days following your appointment are crucial for a comfortable, speedy, and successful healing process.
The First 24 Hours: Your Immediate Action Plan
The initial day after your extraction sets the stage for the entire healing process. Your most important job during this time is to protect the delicate blood clot that forms in the socket—this clot is the foundation for new tissue and bone growth.
Bite Firmly on the Gauze: Keep gentle, firm pressure on the gauze pad placed over the extraction site for the first 30-60 minutes after you leave our office. If mild oozing persists, you can replace it with a fresh, folded piece of damp gauze and bite down for another 30 minutes.
Let Your Body Rest: Plan to take it easy for the rest of the day. Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, or bending over, as this can increase blood pressure and disrupt clotting.
Manage Discomfort and Swelling: Some swelling and discomfort are normal. You can gently apply an ice pack or a cold compress to the outside of your cheek in 15-minute intervals (15 minutes on, 15 minutes off) for the first day. Take any prescribed pain medication as directed, or use an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen as recommended by our team.
Mind What You Eat and Drink: Stick to a diet of cool, soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, pudding, or lukewarm soup. Absolutely avoid using a straw, as the sucking motion can dislodge the blood clot—a painful condition known as “dry socket.” Also avoid hot beverages, alcoholic drinks, and crunchy or spicy foods.
Navigating the First Week: Promoting Proper Healing
As the days progress, you’ll transition from protecting the clot to keeping the area clean and supporting your body’s natural healing.
Oral Hygiene is Still Essential: You can and should brush your teeth, but be very gentle around the extraction site. Starting 24 hours after your surgery, you can begin very gently rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater solution (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) several times a day, especially after eating. This helps keep the area clean and soothes the tissue.
Choose Your Foods Wisely: Gradually reintroduce softer solid foods as you feel comfortable, but continue to avoid chewing directly on the extraction site. Foods like scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, pasta, and smoothies are excellent choices.
Watch for Normal Signs: It’s normal to see some minor oozing or pinkish saliva for the first 24-48 hours. Swelling usually peaks around the 2-3 day mark and then begins to subside. Bruising on the cheek or jaw is also possible and will fade.
Red Flags: When to Call Our Leland Office
While most extractions heal without issue, it’s important to know the signs of potential complications. Please contact us immediately at 910-383-0100 if you experience any of the following:
Severe, throbbing pain that isn’t relieved by your prescribed medication.
Excessive bleeding that doesn’t slow after applying firm pressure with gauze for a sustained period.
Signs of infection, such as fever, chills, or pus discharge from the socket.
Symptoms of dry socket: an intense, radiating pain that develops a few days after the extraction, often accompanied by a visible empty-looking socket and sometimes a bad odor.
Swelling that worsens after the first 2-3 days instead of improving.
Numbness that persists long after the local anesthetic should have worn off.
Tooth Extraction FAQs
What should I do before tooth extraction?
Depending on the kind of extraction that’s being performed, the dentist may recommend that you don’t eat for a certain amount of time before the procedure. When you come into our office, make sure you’re wearing clothing that you’re comfortable in. Ensure your mouth is nice and clean before you come into the office.
How painful is a tooth extraction?
The entire area is numbed with a local anesthetic before performing the extraction. You should only feel pressure and the rocking back and forth of your tooth during the procedure. Most patients report that they didn’t experience pain whatsoever. In the days following, you may experience some soreness and discomfort.
How long should I rest after a tooth extraction?
If a simple extraction is performed, we recommend resting for 48-72 hours before resuming normal activities. If you’re getting a complex extraction, we’ll recommend you a time frame for your specific case.
What shouldn’t I do after a tooth extraction?
Don’t eat or drink for the first hour after the procedure. Then, make sure you’re drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. For the first 24 hours, avoid spitting aggressively or rinsing out your mouth. This gives the socket time to develop a clot. Ask your dentist about timing for drinking from a straw, smoking, or drinking alcohol. All of these things can impact the way the area heals.
Does a salt water rinse really help with healing?
Yes, a warm salt water rinse twice daily for about a week is a great way to help the socket heal. It also helps to keep your mouth clean, as it’s more difficult to brush and floss when you have to avoid a certain area.
Should my tooth be extracted?
There are many reasons we may recommend extraction. In most cases, we recommend wisdom teeth removal. Extraction is also an option for severely overcrowded teeth. If other restorative options aren’t able to take care of the problem, extraction may be the right choice for severely decayed or damaged teeth.
Can I go to work the next day after tooth extraction?
If a patient needs to have a tooth extracted, they may choose to take the day off work to recover and deal with any potential complications. Those whose jobs do not require much physical exertion can often go back to work the day after their surgeries.
How do I sleep after tooth extraction?
For at least a week following the extraction, sleeping on your back is best. This will help reduce inflammation and promote airflow.
Can I drink water after tooth extraction?
In addition to keeping your body hydrated, drinking water helps keep your teeth clean and bacteria-free. It’s important to keep the area around the tooth extraction clean and free of infection by drinking lots of water following your procedure.
Request a Dental Consultation Today
Our dentists are happy to answer any questions about the tooth extraction procedure at your next appointment. Call our Waterford office at 910-519-1624 or schedule an appointment with our team on our website.