When you come in for your appointment, our dentist will first numb the extraction site using a local anesthetic. While this will prevent you from feeling pain, you will feel pressure as the site is being worked on. This is because the anesthetic targets the nerves that transmit pain but leaves those that transmit pressure unaffected. However, if you start to feel pain, let our dentist know immediately.

With some extractions, the tooth is so situated or so firmly attached that it becomes difficult to remove in one piece. If this is the case, our dentist will remove it in sections, called “sectioning” the tooth.

When the tooth is removed, we take steps to help the wound clot and close quickly. To help stop bleeding, apply a gauze pad and pressure to the extraction site. Wait 30 to 45 minutes and if the site is still bleeding, replace the pad with a new one and apply pressure for an additional 30 minutes. Patients can repeat this process as needed.

Once the site stops bleeding and the blood clot forms, it is important to be careful around the wound. Clots can become dislodged or reopened if the patient uses a straw, smokes, ingest alcohol or rinses out their mouth too vigorously during the first 3 days. Patients should also limit their physical activity in the day following their tooth extraction, to avoid increasing blood pressure and bleeding.

With tooth extractions, some patients will experience swelling around the site. Though swelling should reduce within 48 hours, apply an ice pack to the swollen area to reduce inflammation and discomfort. Also, be sure to follow all instructions on pain medications.

In addition to following pain medication as directed, be sure to take any antibiotics for the full time prescribed. (Antibiotics should be taken even when symptoms of infection disappear.) Also, make sure to eat and drink regularly, keeping to soft foods that won’t irritate the site.

Though patients should take care not to irritate the extraction site, they should resume daily brushing and flossing — helping the site heal correctly and preventing infection.

Once the site has been allowed to heal, patients should be able to return to their daily routine after a day or two. If any symptoms persist or worsen, contact our dental office as soon as you can.