Dental extractions are intimidating to many patients, but our team is here to walk you through the process and make your treatment as simple and easy as possible. Our practice also provides dental sedation, which can help relieve dental anxiety and make your experience more pleasant. We do wisdom teeth removals as well, so you won't have to be referred to an oral surgeon for any type of dental extraction. To learn more or schedule your appointment, please give our office a call or send us a message!
When are dental extractions performed?
Our team wants our patients to keep as many of their natural teeth as possible, as there are no dental restorations that are exactly the same as real teeth. However, there are cases in which a tooth has gone through too much damage to be restored using a filling, root canal, or crown and must instead be removed and replaced. Sometimes one or more teeth need to be removed as part of an orthodontic treatment plan, or a tooth is impacted or crowding other teeth. If a dental extraction has been recommended to you, it's likely your best option.
What can I eat after my dental extraction?
Patients should wait until the numbness in their mouth wears off before attempting to eat anything to avoid biting their tongue or the inside of their cheek. After that, we recommend eating soft foods that require very minimal chewing. Before your procedure, you should stock up on things like oatmeal, cream of wheat, pudding, avocados, soup, and yogurt, as well as an ice pack and over-the-counter pain medication. You should also avoid drinking anything through a straw while your gums are healing, as that can cause a dry socket.
When can I go back to school or work after an extraction?
It largely depends on your treatment plan and your unique healing process. We always recommend that patients take at least the rest of the day off after they have one or more teeth removed to rest and relax. You should keep your head propped up and avoid doing anything too strenuous during this time. Once you return to your normal routine, it's still a good idea to take it easy, as too much activity can cause the blood clot in the socket to come loose, which is what protects the gums and helps them heal.