Are your wisdom teeth emerging? Do you have overcrowded teeth that make it difficult to care for your smile? Dental extractions are among the best general dental options for patients with overcrowded, infected, or impacted teeth.
We recommend extractions if patients have severe problems because of infection within a tooth, impacted wisdom teeth, or crooked and overcrowded teeth. Dr. Michael Sesi offers tooth extraction treatment at Clarkston Dental Care in Clarkston, MI.
Types of Tooth Extractions in Clarkston, MI
Tooth extractions can be simple or complex. Simple tooth extractions remove teeth above the gum line. We usually use a local anesthetic to numb the treated area before we remove teeth.
Typically, simple extractions take minutes. We use nitrous oxide and anesthesia for complex extractions, which remove teeth at or below the gum line. Because complex extractions can sometimes take hours, we require nitrous oxide, a type of dental sedation. Nitrous oxide relaxes patients, and many will not even remember their procedures under sedation.
After your extraction, keep the gauze in the socket. You can replace the gauze every couple of hours until the bleeding stops. We will also provide you with pain medication as needed for a smooth recovery.
Our team will recommend dental implants if we remove teeth due to a severe dental infection. Dental implants are restorations that we use to secure one or more missing teeth. Patients can receive a single crown, dental bridge, or dentures for missing or extracted teeth.
Why Do You Need to Remove Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth. Typically, wisdom teeth emerge when patients are in their late teens or early twenties. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause many problems for patients. Most of the time, wisdom teeth do not have enough room in the mouth to emerge properly.
When these teeth emerge behind the back molars, they can dig into the teeth and cause overcrowding. Additionally, wisdom teeth can grow at odd angles, even perpendicular to your teeth. Removing wisdom teeth prevents these problems and keeps the teeth and gums healthy.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Taking care of your mouth after a tooth extraction is very important. Good aftercare helps your mouth heal faster and prevents problems like pain or infection.
First, bite down gently on the gauze pad your dentist places over the area. This helps stop the bleeding. Keep it in place for about 30 to 45 minutes. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, you can place a new piece of gauze and bite down again. You can also use a damp tea bag instead of gauze. Tea has natural chemicals that help your blood clot.
Next, try to rest for the first 24 hours. Do not do any heavy lifting or hard exercise. Keep your head propped up with pillows when lying down. Avoid touching the area with your tongue or fingers. Also, do not spit, smoke, or drink through a straw. These actions can remove the blood clot from the empty socket, causing a painful condition called dry socket.
Eat soft foods for the first couple of days. Try soup, mashed potatoes, applesauce, and yogurt. Avoid hot, spicy, or crunchy foods. Don’t eat anything that can get stuck in the socket, like popcorn or nuts. After the first day, you can slowly add more solid foods to your diet.
You should also keep your mouth clean, but be gentle. Don’t brush the area where the tooth was taken out for the first day. After 24 hours, rinse your mouth with warm salt water a few times daily. Mix one teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water. Swish it gently in your mouth, then spit it out.
You may feel some pain or swelling. Your dentist may prescribe or tell you what over-the-counter pain relievers to take. To reduce swelling, use an ice pack on the outside of your face. Place it on your cheek for 15 minutes at a time.
Call us immediately if you notice heavy bleeding, severe pain, or signs of infection like fever or pus. Most people heal fully in a week or two.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have answers to some of patients’ commonly asked questions about tooth extraction.
How long after a tooth extraction can I eat?
You should wait at least an hour before eating after a tooth extraction. We recommend starting with soft foods and avoiding chewing near the extraction site. Sticking to liquids and easy-to-chew foods for the first 24 hours helps heal.
How long does it take to recover from a tooth extraction procedure?
Recovery time varies, but most people feel better within a few days. Complete healing of the gum tissue can take one to two weeks. Following Dr. Sesi’s aftercare instructions speeds up the process.
How long can I delay wisdom tooth extraction?
It’s best not to delay wisdom tooth extraction if a dentist recommends it. Waiting can lead to complications like pain, infection, or damage to neighboring teeth. Promptly addressing the issue helps prevent these problems.
How long does it take for wisdom teeth to fully erupt?
Wisdom teeth usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. The process can take several months to a few years, and some patients may never have their wisdom teeth fully emerge.
Should I take a day off work after a tooth extraction?
Taking a day off work after an extraction is a good idea. Resting allows your body to start healing without added stress. For more complex extractions, you might need additional days to recover fully.
What happens to the empty space after tooth extraction?
After tooth extraction, a blood clot forms in the empty socket to protect the bone and nerves. Over time, gum tissue and bone fill in the space as it heals. Without a replacement tooth, nearby teeth may shift toward the gap.
What is the oldest age at which a person can get wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth usually come in between ages 17 and 25. However, some people get them much later. It’s rare, but wisdom teeth can appear in your 30s or 40s. There’s no strict upper age limit. Consult your dentist for an X-ray evaluation if you’re concerned about late-emerging wisdom teeth.
Schedule a Dental Appointment
Do you need to remove your wisdom teeth? Contact our office at 248-985-2906 or request a consultation with our team online.