Tooth Extraction

At Summerfield Dental Practice we perform teeth extractions when the tooth is beyond repair.

Why do I need a tooth extraction?

Tooth extraction is performed only when it is deemed absolutely necessary. If your tooth is broken beyond repair or suffering from decay that cannot be rectified by a filling, crown or other treatment, then an extraction will have to be done.

Other reasons for potentially removing a tooth include having an overcrowded mouth, impacted wisdom teeth, and baby teeth that haven’t fallen out before permanent teeth come in.

What is the procedure for getting a tooth extracted?

We will talk you through every stage of the process to help you feel as comfortable as possible. In almost all cases, you will be placed under local anaesthetic to completely numb the area while allowing you to stay awake. If you’re very nervous about the procedure, we can also offer a sedative.

Once the anaesthetic has been injected and taken effect, your dentist will widen your tooth socket and gently loosen the tooth before removing it completely. We might then need to stitch up the empty socket to help it heal properly.

If the procedure required is more complex, then we may well refer you for a surgical extraction.

What happens after the extraction?

Presuming you have received a local anaesthetic, you should be fine to return to your day after having a tooth extracted. It’s important to keep the area clean, and we will give you a piece of sterile gauze to bite down on immediately following the procedure.

You should avoid hot food and drinks until the feeling in your mouth returns. At this point, you might start experiencing some pain, in which case any over the counter painkiller such as ibuprofen or Paracetamol should help keep it at bay. Pain has been known to increase after a few days before settling down again after a week or so. If at any time you experience severe pain, please contact us.

Some tips to help with healthy healing post-extraction:

• Don’t rinse your mouth out until 24 hours have passed
• After 24 hours, gently rinse out your mouth with a saltwater solution four times daily
• Try to eat soft food after first getting the tooth removed
• Don’t smoke at least until the following day
• Don’t consume alcohol for 24 hours
• When brushing your teeth, brush away from the wound, getting closer each day
• If bleeding occurs, bite down on a clean cloth