Surely, you’ve heard the saying that something is like pulling teeth, meaning it’s difficult. For the most part, though, pulling teeth is a fairly uncomplicated process and not very difficult at all, well not for the dentist at least.
The proper term for pulling a tooth is called a tooth extraction. It’s a very common dental procedure with a pretty quick recovery time. There are various reasons for needing a tooth extraction as well as varying degrees of the procedure.
To Pull or Not to Pull
Your dentist will determine if a tooth needs pulling. These are the most common reasons for a tooth extraction.
Damaged tooth: A tooth suffering from trauma or severe tooth decay might need to be removed from your mouth if it’s beyond repair.
Crowding: Sometimes teeth can grow in at weird angles and cause crowding, which can make getting braces or other orthodontic work impossible unless teeth are removed. Some people even have extra teeth that require pulling!
Infection: An oral infection can escalate quickly and pose serious health risks. Extraction is usually the last resort if root canal therapy or antibiotics don’t work. Even the risk of potential infection for those with weakened immune systems from chemotherapy or organ transplants might benefit from an extraction.
Periodontal Disease: When the gums and surrounding tissue become infected, teeth can loosen and require extraction to properly treat the problem.
The Pulling Process
A tooth extraction is usually simple and can be performed by a general dentist without the need for major surgery. When the procedure becomes more complicated, it might require the expertise of an oral surgeon.
Prior to any poking, prodding, or pulling, the dentist will take x-rays to get a glimpse below the surface (gums). This will help strategize the procedure. Most extractions only require topical anesthetics like a numbing injection. Sometimes IV sedation is used to relax the patient, or if the extraction is expected to take a long time. Many people opt for IV sedation when getting their wisdom teeth removed as this tends to be a bit more invasive, especially if the teeth are impacted, meaning they sit beneath the gums. General anesthesia is rarely used for tooth extractions.
After the area is numbed, the dentist will use a tool called an elevator to lift the tooth and loosen ligaments and gum tissue around the base of the tooth. Forceps will be used to gently maneuver the tooth until it breaks free of the ligaments holding it in place.
Recovering from an Extraction
Recovery from getting a tooth pulled shouldn’t be too rough. It takes a few days to feel back to normal, and all should go smoothly if you follow doctor’s order. First and foremost, take it easy, especially if you’ve had a more involved procedure.
Taking prescribed painkillers and icing the area will help minimize pain and swelling. Make sure to prop your head when laying down. Bite down on gauze pads as needed to stop bleeding, and don’t rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours. If there is more bleeding than what you think is normal, bite on a warm moist tea bag for 20 minutes. The tannic acids in the tea will help stop the bleeding. Also, remember you have lots of saliva mixed in with a little bit of bleeding so sometimes it looks like more bleeding than it really is. You can continue to brush and floss as normal, but just avoid the surgical site.
When it comes to eating, a soft or liquid diet will be your best friend. Whatever you do, don’t drink from a straw! It can increase your chances of getting a dry socket (dislodgment of the natural-occurring blood clot that forms at the surgical site ), which is super painful. Oh, and don’t smoke, like ever.
As with any surgical procedure, call your doctor or seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following symptoms following a tooth extraction.
- cough, shortness of breath, chest pain
- fever and chills (sign of infection)
- nausea or vomiting
- redness, swelling, or unusual discharge
If you have any questions or concerns regarding tooth extractions, call us at 954-344-4488, or complete an online appointment request to schedule your consultation.