Tooth extraction: definition, preparation, care after surgery

Definition

What is tooth extraction surgery?

Tooth extraction is common in children, adolescents, or even adults who still have wisdom teeth. But there are a number of reasons along the way that doctors feel the need to perform a tooth extraction operation on one (or more) of your affected teeth.

Tooth extraction may seem scary, but the actual process is quite simple and fairly short. Unfortunately, improper planning before extracting teeth can lead to slow recovery and other serious dental health issues.

When should I have tooth extraction surgery?

After wisdom teeth come out, you have adult teeth that are supposed to be permanent and will last a lifetime. However, there are several factors that make you also have to do a tooth extraction, such as:

• A severe cavity problem.
• The presence of gum disease.
• The occurrence of infection in the teeth.
• Trauma or injury to the tooth.
• Wisdom teeth complications.
• Straighten teeth before braces.
• Dead and rotten teeth.

Precautions and Warnings

What should I know before having surgery?

Even though it is a common thing, there are several risks that can occur when you undergo a tooth extraction.

Quoted from Healthline, after the tooth extraction procedure, there will usually be blood clots that form naturally. However, the doctor will give you a sedative for a few days. Some of the other risks that can occur:

• Bleeding that lasts more than 1 hour.
• Fever accompanied by chills is quite severe due to infection.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Cough
• Chest pain accompanied by shortness of breath.
• Swelling and redness at the surgical site.

If the things that have been mentioned above occur, you should contact the dentist again.

Preparation and Process

What must be prepared before the procedure?

Before scheduling a tooth extraction procedure, the doctor will perform X-rays first. This imaging will help to further evaluate the curvature and angle of the tooth roots.

In addition, it is also a good idea to inform you about what drugs you take every day and other medical conditions. Some of the medical conditions that your doctor will need to be aware of are:

• Diabetes
• Liver disorders
• Hypertension
• Heart problems
• Thyroid disease
• Chronic kidney failure

In addition, the dentist should also make sure all conditions are stable before you do the tooth extraction process. You may be prescribed antibiotics if:

• The operation is expected to take some time.
• You have a disorder such as an infection or a weak immune system.

Generally, you are advised not to eat and drink (including water) for eight hours to 12 hours before surgery. However, your doctor alone will determine how much fasting time is needed for your case.

If you are going to be using local anesthesia, you can eat a light meal or a hunger booster snack 1-2 hours before the surgery. Brush, rinse, and floss your teeth before going to the doctor.

Do not smoke within 12 hours before removing a tooth - and for at least 24 hours after removing a tooth.

If you have diabetes or are taking other prescription drugs (including the antibiotics your dentist prescribed to treat any infections you currently have), continue using them as normal. Consult this further with your doctor.

What is the process of this procedure?

1. Anesthetized

Before the procedure, the first thing a dentist will do is administer a local anesthetic near a specific area of ​​the tooth. Of course this will numb the area so you won't feel any pain.

You should not feel pain, but still feel when there is pressure or sound from the instrument being used. Please also note, numbness will continue for several hours after surgery.

2. Simple tooth extraction

After getting local anesthesia in the area around the tooth, you will only feel the pressure as a result of the procedure. The doctor will use a device known as an elevator. This tool serves to loosen teeth as well as forceps to remove teeth.

3. Extract the tooth with surgical techniques

This one procedure requires not only local anesthesia, but also the possibility that you will receive intravenous anesthesia.

This is necessary to keep you calm and also more relaxed, which can cause you to become unconscious during the procedure.

The doctor or surgeon will cut the gums with small incisions. In addition, it is possible to remove the bone around the tooth or cut the tooth before it is extracted.

Once all steps have been completed, there is also a chance that you may have a suture procedure to control the bleeding.

The doctor will place a thick layer of gauze over the extraction area so that you will bite into it. This will absorb the blood so that the clotting process occurs.

Care After Surgery

What can be done after tooth extraction surgery?

1. Change the gauze

It has been explained a little above that after the tooth extraction procedure, you will bite the gauze which serves to hold the blood. Biting with consistent pressure for 20-30 minutes will help control the bleeding.

After that, replace the gauze with a new one. Bleeding will likely continue for 1-2 days after surgery.

2. Take pain relievers

The anesthesia is performed before the procedure will only last for a few hours. The doctor will prescribe medication to reduce pain and inflammation after the procedure.

However, medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are usually sufficient to control pain.

3. Compress with ice

For some people, after the tooth extraction procedure there is a chance that you will experience mild swelling in the facial area. Don't worry because this is normal.

Therefore, you are also allowed to compress the swollen area using a cold washcloth.

4. Clean teeth

After surgery, you are allowed to maintain oral and dental hygiene. You can gargle with salt water every few hours. When brushing your teeth, pay attention to the area of ​​your teeth so as not to interfere with clotting blood.

5. Take a break

If you think after the tooth extraction surgery you can carry out normal activities, you should think again. After surgery, you should still rest for at least the next 24 hours.

What should not be done after tooth extraction surgery?

1. Pay attention to what is consumed

You will likely experience mild soreness and swelling after the tooth is extracted. This can reduce appetite, but you still need to get the right nutrition for optimal healing period.

Avoid eating hard, acidic, and spicy foods that can irritate the gums. Also, if your surgery includes same-day dentures, you should protect your teeth by eating soft foods - such as cream soup, jelly, pudding, oatmeal, or porridge.

Also consume drinks that contain high nutritional value such as juices, smoothies , or protein shake which is easy to mix. This healthy drink provides a high intake of vitamins and minerals that your body needs to stay fit during the recovery period.

2. Do not use a straw

You are allowed to drink white water or any drink with nutritious content. But, don't use a straw to drink your drink, especially after pulling a tooth.

Using a straw can lead to a named condition dry socket, which can lead to complications so painful that you will have to go back to the dentist for treatment.

Old Restoration

How long does the tooth extraction surgery heal?

It is normal for you to feel pain after the effects of the anesthesia wear off. Not only that, after 24 hours of tooth extraction, another thing you can feel is swelling as well as bleeding.

However, if the pain is also the bleeding gets worse more than four hours after surgery. We recommend that you call your doctor again.

The initial healing period usually takes one to two weeks. New bone and gum tissue will grow in the gap.

Over time, even tooth extraction will cause the remaining teeth to shift and affect the way you bite.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.