Tooth Extraction

You may need a tooth extraction to preserve your bite or protect against decay. The team at Get It Straight Orthodontics and Family Dentistry in Tucson, Arizona, helps you determine if a tooth extraction is the best treatment for your dental concerns. Call today or use this website to schedule an appointment to find out more about the best strategies for your dental health.

Why would I need a tooth extracted?

You may require tooth extraction if you have trauma or decay that can’t be repaired. Other reasons for extraction may be: 

• Tooth infection
• Crowding
• Serious gum disease
• Compromised immune system

Wisdom teeth are commonly extracted to prevent complications with your bite or because they are impacted — stuck beneath the gum line. 

What happens during a tooth extraction?

Your denitist applies a local anesthetic to the treatment area. Usually, the anesthetic numbs the entire area, so you feel nothing during the procedure. You’ll undergo one of two types of extraction:

Simple extraction

A simple extraction removes teeth that have erupted through the gums. The dentist uses an instrument to grasp the visible portion of the tooth, loosen it, and pull it out.

Surgical extraction

If you have teeth that have not broken through the gums or have broken off at the gum’s surface, you’ll require surgical extraction. Your provider will make an incision into the connective tissue surrounding the tooth to gain access to it for extraction. 

Sometimes, a tooth must be broken into fragments for a successful surgical extraction.

Is having a tooth extracted safe?

Tooth extractions are safe and actually protect your dental health for the long term. If you are at risk of developing an infection, your dentist will prescribe antibiotics. 

The team at Get It Straight Orthodontics and Family Dentistry gives you clear after-care instructions so you can keep the site healthy and suffer minimal discomfort.

How do I care for my mouth after a tooth extraction?

It’s normal to have discomfort for a few days following your tooth extraction. Over-the-counter pain medications and ice packs help ease your pain. 

A blood clot will form in the socket where your tooth was. This clot protects the site of extraction and helps you heal. Don’t drink with a straw or perform high-impact activities for a few days, as these activities can dislodge the clot and cause severe discomfort. 

Other self-care tips after an extraction include:

• Prop your head up at an angle when you lie down to prevent bleeding
• Eat soft foods
• Refrain from smoking because it delays healing 
• Brush and floss your teeth and tongue, but avoid the extraction site

If you need a tooth extraction, call Get It Straight Orthodontics and Family Dentistry to set up an appointment or use this website to book your visit.