- A Crowded Mouth- Too many teeth grown closely together can crowd a mouth. These crowded teeth will keep other teeth from growing straight or keep other teeth from growing at all. Wisdom teeth and back teeth tend to block the proper growth of several visible teeth.
- Infection- Your teeth may have been exposed to an infection. Infected teeth must be removed if the bad bacteria have weakened the tooth. Pain may result when the infection makes contact with nerves or inner blood vessels.
- Damaged teeth that have been broken or infected and are beyond any repair.
- Tooth decay- a common result from chemotherapy, other health-related illness, elderly patients
- Teeth that are hard to reach or clean
A note about wisdom teeth
The removal of your wisdom teeth is considered a tooth extraction. Wisdom teeth are also known as third molars. They are the last of your teeth to grow in. Baby teeth grow in early child development. Then they are replaced with adult teeth. Since wisdom teeth are the last teeth to grow in, or sometimes do not grow at all, but remain buried in the back of the mouth, they are called Wisdom teeth.
The problem with these buried teeth is they are too far back to be brushed properly or maybe jammed tightly and too hard to be reached with dental floss. If infection occurs, removal is necessary.
Procedure for teeth extraction
Tooth extraction is considered oral surgery. You will go to sleep during the procedure or be placed in a sedative “Twilight” state. You will receive a local anesthetic to numb the teeth being removed and the surrounding area. A local anesthetic blocks nerves to relieve you from pain. It can be applied in a topical ointment or injection.
Antibiotics may also be prescribed to you such as amoxicillin or clindamycin. Antibiotics are prescribed to prevent bacterial infections and can be used for people who might be prone to infections.
Some teeth are impacted or are stuck below the gum line. Your gums will be cleaned and sterilized. Gums must be cut away to get access to the tooth or teeth. Forceps are used to gently rock the tooth back and forth until they are loose enough to remove.
In some cases, and mostly with bigger teeth such as the wisdom teeth, the teeth are broken up into smaller, easier pieces to remove. The area will be cleaned again.
Once the teeth are removed, the gums are sewn again with dissolvable sutures. A blood clot will form and the area will be cleaned once again.
Cotton may be packed around the areal to absorb bleeding, which is normal.
Procedure aftercare
Follow these steps for a better healing experience. Be sure to call the staff at your favorite 32 Pearls location if you have any questions.
- Bleeding is normal. If it seems excessive, call the staff.
- Use ice packs for the first 36 hours after surgery.
- Place a gauze in the affected area to absorb blood or a moist tea bag will help for thirty minutes. It will also make the area taste better.
- Do drink plenty of liquids.
- Avoid hot beverages for the first thirty-six hours.
- Elevate your body and head. You may have to sleep sitting up the first night until swelling decreases.
- Use the medication as directed.
- Do not rinse your mouth on the first day of the procedure.
- After day 1- You can use a warm salt water rinse which will help keep the area clean.
- Mix 1 tsp of salt with a glass of lukewarm water
- Use every four hours
More than one tooth extracted needs more time to heal.
- Swelling, discoloration around your eyes and facial inflammation is normal.
- A moist, wet, warm towel is soothing after the first 36 hours have passed.
- A soar throat is possible but will increase in a few days.
- Use vaseline for overstretched and exposed lips or cracked mouth.
- Eat soft foods such as soups, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs or whatever you like until you can increase to regular meals.
Make sure you return for a follow-up visit if one was scheduled for you.
There may be items that you and the staff need to consider before your surgery. Prepare extra time to answer questions to add to a successful and easier recovery.
- Medical history
- Bring a list of current medications
- Tell staff about medication allergies
- If you have had heart surgery or and other surgeries
- If you are high risk to infections or have a medical condition
If you need your tooth extracted call us at 32 Pearls Seattle (206) 822-8862 or 32 Pearls Tacoma (253) 564-7911. You can also book your appointment here.
Want to learn more about Teeth Extraction? Check out our service page here.
