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An
extraction is the removal of a tooth or teeth that are non-restorable,
non-useful, or harmful to the patient. Some reasons for an extraction include
severe decay, continued pain after having dental treatment rendered, infection
or abscess, advanced periodontal disease, orthodontic correction, malpositioned
teeth, fractured tooth or teeth, unrestorable tooth or impacted teeth. The
intended benefits of an extraction are to relieve the currant symptoms and/or
to permit the continuation of additional dental treatment.
Following the extraction, specific instructions
will be given to aid a speedy recovery. These instructions are:
- Do not disturb the wound by touching it with
your fingers, a toothpick or your tongue. The blood clot that forms over the
area is part of the natural healing process and should not be disturbed. Do not
spit or use a straw as these may dislodge the blood clot that has formed to
stop the bleeding
- Some bleeding is expected. Use the gauze pads
that are provide as needed until the bleeding subsides. If bleeding continues
after 45 minutes, Lipton tea bag moistened lightly and placed over the socket,
under a gauze pad can be very effective.
- No food or liquid until the bleeding stops. No
smoking until the wound is completely healed. After the bleeding stops, follow
a soft diet for 24 hours. Avoid hot, hard or raw foods.
- Avoid all rinsing after leaving the dental
office. Then to relieve the soreness and reduce bacteria, rinse gently every
three hours with warm salt water (1 tsp to 8 oz water) starting the next
morning. Use of commercial mouthwashes during healing are not
encouraged.
- Use the prescribed or recommended medication
according to the directions. Pain medication should not be needed 24-48 hours
after treatment unless otherwise instructed to do so. If pain persists after 48
hours, a dry socket may have developed. Please contact
the dental office because the tooth extraction area may need to be packed with
a special medication.
- To relieve and help prevent swelling, apply an
ice pack over the affected area, 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off.
- A soft toothbrush may be used in the area not
involved in the surgical procedure. A clean mouth heals faster.
- No bending or lifting heavy objects. Restrict
strenuous activity for at least 12 hours.
For all questions or concerns, the dentist
should be contacted.
Dry Socket
A dry socket is the most
common complication of an extraction. It develops in about 5% of tooth
extractions. It can be a very painful condition, but can be easily treated. A
dry socket is a condition in which the patient is having pain after an
extraction due to the loss of the blood clot, exposing the bone to air, food
and fluids. It usually occurs two or more days after the extraction and can
last up to 10 days. It is normal to have soreness and discomfort after an
extraction, however, pain should lessen by the second day. The condition exists
when a blood clot is dislodged from the surgery site thus exposing the bone and
fine nerve endings. The blood clot helps in the stopping of bleeding and lays
the foundation or framework for new tissue and bone to develop over a two-month
healing process. A dry socket is more common in the mandibular area (lower jaw)
and in back teeth due to poorer circulation in this area. Wisdom teeth are the
most common site for a dry socket to occur. A dry socket delays the healing
process. Gum tissue normally takes approximately 3-4 weeks to heal, where as
the bone can take up to six months to heal.
A dry
socket is most often found in the following situations:
- Individuals who smoke—Smoking decreases
healing by decreasing blood supply to the protective blood clot, brings toxic
products to the area, injures the gum tissue and the negative pressure of
sucking removes the blood clot from the surgery site.
- Not following the post-operative instructions
that explain how to care for your extraction site.
- Women taking oral conterceptives are more
susceptible. New evidence has shown that women on birth control pill may be
more susceptible to both post-operative pain and to dry sockets. Results
suggest that the pill may reduce the pain threshold.
How to avoid a dry socket:
- Avoid drinking through a straw.
- Avoid smoking.
- Avoid excessive mouth rinsing. It interferes
with blood clot formation.
- Keep food from impacting in the area of the
site. Chew on the other side of your mouth and gently rinse your mouth with
warm salt water after the first 24 hours.
- Eat soft foods and avoid foods such as popcorn,
peanuts, pasta, etc.
- Continue to practice good oral care and rinse
gently with an antimicrobial mouthwash.
If a dry socket develops, it needs to be treated
in the office for 7-10 days usually. Treatment involves packing the site with a
special mediation and gauze and takes only a few minutes each time. |
Belleville, KS
