TO EXTRACT OR NOT TO EXTRACT...?

When you think of tooth extraction you might think of wisdom teeth as these are regularly removed by both teenagers and adults. In some cases, this procedure can be mandatory in adulthood. Other reasons for tooth extraction are tooth decay, tooth infection or making room for other teeth if you’re getting braces. In rare cases extractions are also performed on children, whose baby teeth didn’t fall out in time for permanent teeth to come out.

This procedure can be done in 2 ways:

A simple extraction

This is a relatively quick procedure that doesn’t require a lot of time to perform for teeth that are visible in your mouth.

A surgical extraction
For teeth that are for example broken off close to the gum line or teeth that have not come into the mouth yet, a more complex procedure is performed by one of our surgeons. You will get a local anaesthesia followed by a small incision into your gum to surgically remove the tooth.

The recovery time takes from a few days up to a week. You may get prescribed antibiotics or painkillers after the procedure to help you recover.

In the following 24 hours after the procedure you should be careful by taking a few precautions:

Do not smoke
Eat soft foods only
Rest and relax as much as you can
Apply an ice pack to your cheek area for a few minutes if needed
Brush and floss your teeth as usual and avoid the affected area

Should you experience any of the following symptoms such as:

bleeding for more than 12 hours
vomiting and/or nausea
signalling infection (abnormal fevers and chills)
swelling and redness at the affected area
shortness of breath or chest pain
the extractions becomes extremely painful

Contact the Dublin Dentist clinic immediately!