Tooth Extraction

In the event of a dental emergency, our doctors may determine that you need a tooth extracted for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed, while others may have advanced periodontal disease, or have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth) or in preparation for orthodontic treatment. The removal of a single tooth can lead to problems related to your chewing ability, jaw joint, and shifting teeth, which can have a major impact on your dental health. If our doctors determine that emergency tooth extraction is the best path for your dental situation, the process will begin with a shot of anesthetic to numb the tooth, gums, and bone tissue around the afflicted tooth. The anesthetic prevents you from feeling pain during your procedure, but if you do encounter pain, don’t hesitate to tell your dentist. Our goal is to make the process as comfortable as possible. After the anesthetic is applied, the dentist will enlarge the socket the tooth sits in to make removing it easier. After enough space is created, the doctor will separate the tooth from the ligament and remove it from your mouth. Once the tooth is removed, the doctor will clean the opening for any possible infection and close it back to size.

After tooth extraction in Cypress, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. Bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes immediately after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times to staunch the flow of blood. After the blood clot forms, it is important to not disturb or dislodge the clot. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol, or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. These activities may dislodge or dissolve the clot and hinder the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours, as this increases blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.

After the tooth is extracted, you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum, the swelling usually subsides after 48 hours. Use pain medication as directed. When antibiotics are prescribed, take them for the recommended period of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection have disappeared. Drink lots of fluids and eat nutritious, soft foods on the day of the extraction. After 24 hours, you should resume your regular dental routine, including brushing and flossing twice a day. After a few days, you will feel fine and be able to resume normal activities. You may experience discomfort in the surrounding teeth following the procedure. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately.