About tooth removal:
If your tooth is damaged or decayed and can’t be repaired, your dentist may decide to remove (extract) the tooth as a last resort.
When your tooth can’t be repaired, tooth removal may be the best option for you. However team at Bod Heulog will talk through your options with you during your consultation.
Why are teeth removed?
Severe tooth decay.
Gum disease (periodontal disease) which cannot be repaired.
A broken tooth that can’t be salvaged.
An abscess (a collection of pus) on your gums or around your teeth which cannot be drained.
Crowded teeth – when your teeth don’t have enough space in your jaw to correct your teeth alignment.
Impacted wisdom teeth.
At Bod Heulog ,we have a dentist with enhanced skills in oral surgery who is happy to help you with complex extraction procedures.
Aftercare for tooth removal:
Your gum may bleed for a few minutes after you have your tooth taken out. Your dentist will give you a piece of guaze to bite on to stop the bleeding and you’ll be able to go home once it’s stopped.
Before you go home, your dentist or surgeon will give you advice about looking after your teeth and gums. They may recommend painkillers and an antibacterial mouthwash.
Antibiotics may be prescribed to reduce your chances of developing an infection if required after clinical assessment.
No follow-up appointment is needed after you’ve had a tooth removed.
If you had a complicated procedure, you might need to go back to see your dentist so they can check how you’re healing. You’ll be given our contact numbers for this while you’re in practice.
Recovering from tooth removal:
Most people can go back to their normal routine the same day. Only if you have a more difficult surgical extraction, will it take a few days to recover. See how you feel and follow your dentist’s advice.
If you had a local anaesthetic, it may take a few hours before the feeling comes back into your mouth. Don’t have any hot food or drinks until it comes back otherwise you might burn or scald your mouth. Also take care not to bite your tongue, particularly when you speak, drink or eat. Rest as much as possible and keep your head up to reduce the bleeding.
Your mouth may feel sore once the anaesthetic wears off. If you need pain relief, you can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Your dentist may suggest that you take paracetamol and ibuprofen together. Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicines.
Some people find that their pain is worse about three days after the procedure, but then settles down again within a week to 10 days. This is completely normal. If you’re in severe pain and it gets worse, contact your dentist. They’ll check if there are any signs of infection.
Tips to make sure the tooth removal area heals properly:
Don’t rinse profusely your mouth out for at least 24 hours after a tooth removal. This could disturb any blood clot that has formed, and you may start bleeding again.
After 24 hours, rinse gently with a salt water mouthwash (made using salt and hot, but not boiling water), four times a day to keep the area clean.
If your gum bleeds, bite down on a clean pad of material such as a guaze for at least 15 minutes.
Don’t drink alcohol for at least 24 hours and don’t smoke for as long as possible, but at least for the rest of the day.
Brush your teeth but keep your toothbrush away from the healing wound, to begin with, brushing closer to it each day.
You may have stitches, depending on which tooth was removed, and why. The stitches will dissolve by themselves within 4-6 weeks, so you won’t need to have them removed.
It’s important to brush teeth carefully for three to four days after your surgery to stop food getting trapped. But be careful so you don’t dislodge any newly-formed blood clots that may have formed over your empty tooth socket.
Complications of tooth removal:
Damage to other teeth. This might happen when your dentist removes your tooth, particularly if the teeth next to the one being removed have a large filling or crown.
Sensitive teeth. The teeth next to the one that’s removed may feel sensitive and this may last several weeks.
Poor healing. If the blood doesn’t clot in your tooth socket, it won’t heal properly. This is called dry socket and can be very painful. You’re more likely to develop dry socket if you smoke or take oral contraceptives. See your dentist straightaway. They’ll place a dressing in the socket.
A nerve injury. You might get a tingling or pins and needles or a numb feeling in your gum near the tooth socket. This may be caused if your nerves are bruised while removing the impacted wisdom teeth.
Preparing for tooth removal:
It’s important to let your dentist know about any medical conditions, allergies or recent surgery, as well as any medicines you’re taking.
If you’re unsure about anything, ask. No question is too small.
Being fully informed will help you feel more at ease and will allow you to give your consent for the procedure to go ahead.