Tooth Extractions in Windham ME

While most of us will take every precaution to ensure we have strong, healthy teeth, sometimes things happen that cause damage anyway. Neglecting dental hygiene, sporting mishaps, and even faulty genetics can cause issues with your teeth. If your dentist decides a tooth extraction in Windham ME is the best course of action, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

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Saying So Long to Unhealthy Teeth in Windham ME

Maintaining your smile for the long run means being proactive about your oral health and hygiene. When trouble occurs, seeking help right away will ensure that restorative dentistry services are enough to fix the problem. However, when a tooth is badly damaged or severely decayed, and it cannot be saved with any other form of treatment, the only solution is tooth extraction. If recommended for this type of procedure, trust that our team will do everything in our power to ensure your safety and comfort throughout the process. Call us if you would like to schedule an appointment to learn more about tooth extractions in Windham.

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Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary

It’s not every day that we have to remove teeth. If we are performing this procedure, a person is likely experiencing one of the following scenarios:

• A tooth is badly damaged as a result of injury and cannot be saved.
• The decayed tooth is putting nearby healthy ones at risk.
• Orthodontic intervention is required for overcrowding, but space is needed for teeth to shift.
• A child’s baby tooth will not fall out on its own.
• Gums are inflamed because of advanced periodontitis, causing teeth to become loose.
• Dentures are the chosen form of tooth replacement, but loose teeth must first be removed.

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The Process of Removing a Tooth in Windham ME

There are two types of tooth extractions: simple and surgical. Here is a little more information on each:

• Simple extraction – If the tooth that needs to be removed is above the gumline, then we will likely intervene with a simple extraction. This means Miedema will grip the tooth, rock it loose, and remove it before caring for the extraction site. Your mouth will be thoroughly numbed beforehand, so you won’t feel any pain or discomfort.
• Surgical extraction – If the tooth in question is trapped underneath your gumline, then the procedure will look slightly different. After numbing your mouth, Dr. Miedema will make a small incision in your gums. Then, she will carefully remove your tooth section by section before tending to the extraction site.

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Anesthesia Used For Tooth Extractions

Unless it is a comprehensive wisdom tooth extraction procedure, most tooth extractions will typically use a local anesthetic which will numb a specific area of your mouth for a few hours. This numb sensation should eventually wear off, and normal sensitivity will return. If it doesn’t, you should contact your dentist.

While still under the effect of the anesthesia, you should try not to move your mouth, or to bite on anything. You will not be able to feel it should you bite your tongue or cheek until the freezing wears off.  Depending on the circumstances, your dentist may prescribe a painkiller to help with the discomfort you may experience after the extraction.

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Bleeding

Depending on the extent of the work, your Windham ME dentist may put a gauze covering on top of the extraction to protect the blood clot. It’s important at this early stage to simply let the gauze do its work to apply some pressure and gently cover the extracted area. There will still be some bleeding shortly after the extraction, but this will gradually stop, as the clotting process gets underway.

If you are given a gauze pack to keep in your mouth after the visit, you should continue to use it for 30-45 minutes after the visit. After that, carefully remove it, and replace it with another gauze pack of for another 30-45 minutes. You should keep doing this until the bleeding stops. Don’t confuse a little bit of blood mixed in with saliva for a serious flow of blood. However, if the bleeding hasn’t stopped after a few hours, you should contact your dentist.

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The First 24 Hours After A Tooth Extraction

While the clot is covering the extraction area and solidifying, you should do as little as possible to disturb it. Otherwise, you will be slowing down your own healing process. Strenuous activity should be avoided during this period.

Contrary to what you may believe, you should also avoid drinking with a straw. Using a straw will create suction in your mouth which may cause you to start bleeding again. Avoid rinsing your mouth, and stay away from alcoholic beverages or mouthwash as these will be extremely painful when they make contact. Do not smoke, as this will slow down the healing process.

To ensure you heal as quickly and comfortably as possible, our Windham dental team will provide you with aftercare instructions. Here are a few examples:

• Changing the gauze pads as needed
• Keeping your head elevated while you sleep
• Avoiding crunchy foods, like bacon, popcorn, and tortilla chips
• Brushing and flossing carefully around the extraction site
• Taking OTC pain medication as directed
• Using a cold compress in 10-minute intervals

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Even though it’s not a major medical procedure, you should take care of yourself after tooth extraction. Take it easy to give yourself the best possible chance of healing quickly. Rinse the mouth gently to clean it, and don’t brush the affected area. Our team at Roosevelt Dental is here to help.

Do you have any questions for us about tooth extractions or any of the other emergency dental services we offer? If so, it’s time to schedule a consultation! At your appointment, we will learn about your dental needs, review your treatment options, and create your custom treatment plan, ensuring that any questions you have are answered along the way.