One of the books Dr. Seuss wrote is titled, “The Tooth Book.” In this book, he explains that people get two sets of teeth and that while the first set is designed to fall out during childhood, the second set should last for the rest of a person’s life. There are, however, a number of circumstances that make it so that tooth extraction is necessary. If you’re facing dental issues, Lee Trevino Dental is ready to help.
Why You May a Need Tooth Extraction
While the most common reason for tooth extraction is that one or more teeth are badly damaged from trauma or decay, other reasons include teeth being too big for your mouth, infection, or the risk of some of your teeth becoming infected. Often times, an orthodontist will remove several teeth from a patient’s mouth in order to ensure that there is enough room once the straightening process is complete. If you are currently undergoing or have recently undergone chemotherapy or have recently have had an organ transplant, then your dentist may recommend removing decayed teeth. This is necessary in order to avoid infection. Moreover, if antibiotics and/or a root canal do not clear up an infection, a tooth extraction may be required.
Tooth Extraction Process and Recovery
When it comes to tooth extraction, there’s nothing to worry about! Your dentist will numb the area with a local anesthetic when you undergo the procedure. If the teeth in question are impacted, then you may be given a sedative or general anesthesia. This is necessary if the tooth extraction involves your wisdom teeth.
Once the procedure is complete, you will need to bite down on the gauze for a few hours and change it as needed. You should also take painkillers as needed and apply ice to keep the swelling down. Rinsing, spitting and using a straw are prohibited for 24 hours after the tooth extraction is complete. In addition, you should eat soft foods. While you should brush the rest of your teeth and your tongue, do not brush the area where the dentist worked as you can dislodge the clot.
If you have been prescribed antibiotics, be sure to take them so as to avoid infections. Should you have fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or chest pain, call your dentist immediately as complications may have occurred. If you are in the El Paso area and are in need of a tooth extraction or other dental procedure, make an appointment with Lee Trevino Dental today!
