Occasionally we have to remove a tooth that can not be restored. You might determine, along with our Beckett Dental Care Dentists, that an extraction is the best way to move forward for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Wisdom teeth for which your mouth doesn’t have space
  • A fractured tooth
  • A tooth with significant decay
  • A tooth with a failed restoration

We will be sure to discuss alternatives to tooth extractions, as well as replacement options for the missing tooth.

What to expect

Our experienced dentist will numb your tooth, gum tissue and jawbone. Once we have achieved anesthesia, you should only feel pressure as our dentists work to remove your tooth.

Post Operative Instructions

Good post-operative care is crucial to your healing. Our team at Beckett Dental Care will be sure to provide you with detailed instructions following your procedure and to also give you an opportunity to answer any questions you may have. Please follow these guidelines as closely as possible to reduce the risk of complications and to encourage quick and easy healing.

Medications

  • Upon returning home from your appointment, we recommend a mild pain reliever such as Ibuprofen right away, and that you take it regularly (every 6-8 hours) with food.
  • Take any prescribed medications as directed.
  • Keep ice near the surgical site to reduce swelling.
  • Eat with your medications to help avoid nausea.

After Surgery

  • Keep gauze in place over the surgical site for half an hour.
  • After half an hour, remove and discard gauze. Replace it only if necessary.
  • Do not touch the wound or vigorously rinse your mouth, this can disturb the clot.
  • Take pain medications as soon as you begin to feel discomfort
  • Restrict your activities on the day of your procedure.

Bleeding

  • Slight bleeding, oozing or red saliva is common.
  • To control bleeding bite down on a gauze pad for 30 minutes with firm pressure.
  • You can also bite down on a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes.
  • Minimize bleeding by sitting upright and avoiding exercise, or becoming excited.
  • Contact our office is bleeding does not subside.

Swelling

  • Swelling is normal.
  • Often swelling won’t become apparent until the day following surgery and will reach its maximum 2-3 days after your procedure.
  • To minimize swelling, place ice packs on the sides of your face where the surgery was performed.

Pain

  • Use over the counter pain relievers for moderate pain (Tylenol, Aleve, ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, etc.) Do not take two medications at the same time and be sure to follow all instructions and dosage frequency.
  • For severe pain, used prescribed medications as directed
  • Pain and swelling should subside more and more each day following your surgery.

Diet

  • Maintain a soft diet. Spicy and hot foods may irritate the surgical site. Crunchy foods, such as chips, may leave debris at the site.

Hygiene

  • Do not rinse your mouth until the day after surgery.
  • After surgery, you should rinse 3-4 times daily with a teaspoon of salt mixed into a cup of warm water.