There are times when pulling one of your teeth might be the best way to deal with a dental problem. Your dentist has two ways of doing a dental extraction. One is a simple extraction that pulls the tooth out, and the other is a surgical extraction that involves cutting into your gum to remove the tooth. A simple extraction may be all that's needed if you're having a tooth pulled because it is injured, decayed, or infected. Here's what you can expect with this procedure.

A Local Anesthetic Prevents Pain

Your dentist will numb the area surrounding the tooth so you won't feel pain during the procedure. However, you will still feel pressure because the dentist has to apply force to pull the tooth out. If you avoid the dentist because you fear the needle used for the anesthetic or you just have a general dental phobia, then discuss your options with a dentist like those at Pembroke  Pines Dental. You might be given nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, so you can relax during the injection or the entire procedure. If you're having the tooth pulled because it is infected and causing you pain, then receiving the anesthetic injection offers pain relief so you can relax and endure the procedure.

Your Tooth Is Wiggled Out Of Place

Your tooth is held firmly in place by the root that's surrounded by a ligament and connected to a bone. Your dentist won't be able to pull a tooth straight up and out of your mouth. It has to be worked loose first. This is done by grasping the tooth with a dental tool and moving it back and forth until it is loose enough to dislodge. This is why you may feel movement and pressure during the procedure.

The Socket Is Cleaned Of Infection

Once the tooth is out of the way, your dentist will clean out the socket left behind. This might include scraping out infection and pieces of tissue debris. Thick gauze is then placed over the area so you can bite down on it and stop the bleeding. You may not need stitches with a simple extraction, but if you do, your dentist will probably use the kind that dissolve on their own so you don't need to return to the office to have them removed.

Recovery Involves Protecting The Blood Clot

Once the anesthetic wears off, you will probably have some pain and soreness. The dentist might send you home with a few pain pills to take for a couple of days after the procedure. One of the most important things you can do during your recovery is to protect the blood clot in the socket. If it becomes dislodged, then you may develop dry socket, which can be very painful. Protect the clot by eating soft foods for a few days and avoiding smoking. You may need to restrict strenuous activity for a few days as well. Your dentist will provide you with instructions to follow during your recovery, and you'll want to comply with them to protect the clot and heal without complications.

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