What You Need To Know About Emergency Tooth Extraction

Whether you’ve chipped a tooth or your tooth is causing you immense pain, you may be considering emergency tooth extraction. Emergency tooth extraction is a procedure that is performed to remove a tooth that is causing pain or other problems. Here’s what you need to know more about emergency dental procedures and what to expect afterwards.

emergency tooth extraction

Reason You Might Need an Emergency Tooth Extraction

Your mouth is full of bacteria. Some of these bacteria are good for you, but some can cause problems. If you have a tooth that is damaged or decayed, bacteria can enter the tooth and cause an infection. An infection in your tooth can cause pain, swelling, and other problems. If the infection is not treated, it can spread to other parts of your body.

You might need an emergency tooth extraction if you have a tooth that is:

  • Damaged by injury
  • Severely decayed
  • Infected
  • Impacted

An emergency tooth extraction is a procedure in which a tooth is removed from your mouth. Emergency tooth extractions are usually performed by oral surgeons, but they can also be performed by dentists.

If you have a tooth that is damaged or decayed, your dentist will first try to repair the tooth with a filling, crown, or other treatment. If the tooth cannot be repaired, your dentist will recommend an emergency tooth extraction.

If you have an infection in your tooth, your dentist will prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection. If the infection does not clear, you will need an emergency tooth extraction.

If you have an impacted tooth, it means that the tooth is stuck under the gum tissue or bone. Impacted teeth can cause pain, swelling, and other problems. If your dentist cannot move the tooth into the proper position, you will need an emergency tooth extraction.

What Can You Expect During Emergency Tooth Extraction?

When you have a tooth that needs to be extracted, it is important to know what to expect during the procedure. This way, you can be prepared for anything that may occur. Here is a look at what you can expect during emergency tooth extraction:

The first thing that will happen is that the area around the tooth will be numbed. This will be done with a local anesthetic. Here’s more information about local anaesthesia. You may feel a little pressure when the anesthetic is injected, but it should not be painful. Once the area is numb, the dentist will use special instruments to loosen the tooth.

The next step is to remove the tooth. The dentist will use a pair of forceps to grip the tooth and then pull it out. You may feel some pressure and see some blood, but this is normal.

Once the tooth has been removed, the dentist will clean the area and may place a gauze pad over the empty socket. You will need to bite down on the gauze to help stop the bleeding.

You will be given some instructions on how to care for the extraction site. It is important that you follow these instructions carefully. You may be asked to avoid drinking alcohol, using a straw, or smoking for a few days.

It is normal to experience some discomfort after having a tooth extracted. You can take over-the-counter pain medication to help manage the pain. If the pain is severe, you can contact the dentist.

In most cases, the extraction site will heal within a week or two. You should be able to return to your normal activities after a few days.

Tips For Recovery After Emergency Tooth Extraction

It is not uncommon to experience some discomfort and swelling after having a tooth extracted. Here are some tips to help you recover and avoid complications:

  1. Rest and relax for the first 24 hours. Avoid any strenuous activity that might increase bleeding or cause more pain.
  2. Apply an ice pack to your face for the first few hours to keep swelling down.
  3. Take pain medication as prescribed. Over-the-counter options like ibuprofen can also help.
  4. Rinse your mouth with salt water several times a day to keep the area clean and promote healing.
  5. Eat soft foods for a few days. Avoid anything hard or crunchy that might irritate the extraction site.
  6. Follow any special instructions from your dentist. They may recommend using a specific type of mouthwash or taking a course of antibiotics.

If you have any concerns or experience excessive pain, please contact your dentist right away.

 

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