Tooth Extractions
Reasons for Removing a Tooth
There are numerous potential reasons why a tooth would need to be pulled. We may recommend extracting a tooth if:
- A cavity has caused the tooth to significantly decay
- A tooth infection has developed into a painful abscess
- A tooth that has broke and cannot be restored by a filling or dental crown
- A wisdom tooth that serves no purpose, is impacted or growing at the wrong angle
What to Expect During Your Tooth Extraction
Your dentist will have you numb and offer you nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for the procedure. Most patients bring their iPods as a welcome distraction and say they did not feel a thing. Afterward, it is important to not rinse the mouth for 24 hours, avoid spitting, straws, hot liquids and keep your fingers and your tongue away from the area. Some bleeding can be expected, if unusual, place a wet sterile gauze pad firmly over the site of the extraction, bite down, or hold in place with pressure for 20 minutes. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding occurs for more than six hours, please call the emergency number immediately.
If you suspect that you might need to have a tooth pulled, it’s important to act quickly, before it turns into an even more serious issue. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
