Tooth Extractions – Weatherford, TX
Keeping Your Smile Healthy for Life
At Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of Weatherford, we are committed to helping our patients achieve and maintain the optimal level of oral health. In most cases, that means partnering with patients to keep their healthy, natural smiles, but for others, tooth extraction is actually in their best interest. When removing one or more teeth is the best option for your smile, we’ll happily offer safe, comfortable tooth extractions at our dental office in Weatherford. If you want to learn more about tooth extraction or any of our other dental care solutions, give are knowledgeable dentistry team a call today. We’ll do our utmost to answer your questions over the phone, or one of our team members will schedule an appointment for you to come see us.
Why are Tooth Extractions Recommended?
Our team cares about helping patients maintain the optimal level of oral health, and we always do our utmost to help you keep your natural teeth. However, some of the reasons we may recommend tooth removal include:
- Severe decay or damage
- Primary teeth that don’t fall out on their own
- Impacted teeth that are unable to erupt
- In preparation for orthodontic treatment or tooth replacement
- Wisdom teeth – third molars – are extracted for many different reasons
How are Teeth Removed?
Teeth are either pulled or surgically extracted. Pulling is only possible when teeth are fully erupted from the gum line. Most teeth require some element of surgical removal whether we simply need to remove some gum tissue to reveal more tooth structure or advanced surgical intervention is necessary.
What Happens After Tooth Extraction?
Prior to your tooth removal procedure, one of our friendly team members will walk you through best practices in at-home care to ensure you make a quick and complete recovery with minimal discomfort. We will also provide you with direction in writing, so you won’t have to worry about forgetting anything. Below, we’ve included some basic care steps to remember:
- Food – Refrain from using a straw and carbonated drinks as this can from a suction and dislodge the blood clot and slow healing. A soft diet is recommended the day of the procedure. Take special care to avoid chewing on the side of the procedure to help keep food out of the extraction site but also be careful to not bite the cheek that may still be numb for a few hours.
- Hygiene – For the first two days, you will likely experience some bleeding, and you should bite down on gauze to absorb the blood. Make sure to replace the gauze frequently as it becomes saturated. When brushing and flossing the surrounding teeth, be careful to avoid the extraction site.
- Pain – Take over the counter and/or prescription pain relievers as directed. You can also use ice packs for the first two days after extraction to relieve pain, slow bleeding, and reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Rest – This one may seem obvious but getting plenty of rest is essential as you heal following tooth removal. Plant to get plenty of sleep and avoid strenuous activities for at least the first few days after treatment.
Tooth Extractions FAQs
Perhaps you’re considering tooth extraction in Weatherford. If so, that’s great news — this procedure will help your smile in the long run! That said, you likely still have concerns about the treatment; it’s meant to be a last resort, after all. Therefore, Cosmetic & Family Dentistry has listed the answers to some frequently asked extraction questions. Please read them over to better understand the service. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, though, don’t worry — call our office or book a visit for more details!
Is There an Alternative to a Tooth Extraction?
Whether you have an alternative to tooth extraction depends on why your dentist suggests it. For example, root canal therapy may be an option if the reason is advanced decay. Periodontal disease, meanwhile, could be resolved with root scaling and planing. Unfortunately, such options usually aren’t viable when a dentist suggests extraction. If they were, then the dental provider would recommend them instead.
If your extraction is necessary, remain calm: It’s the best way to return to your firm, healthy, pain-free smile.
Can I Leave the Space Empty After a Tooth Extraction?
Even if the pulled tooth is at the back of your mouth, you shouldn’t leave the space empty afterward. Doing so will just create more problems.
You see, your teeth do more than just create a beautiful smile. In reality, they’re crucial to everyday tasks like speaking, eating, etc. Your tongue makes distinct movements against teeth to form words, so a missing tooth can cause a lisp. Similarly, lacking one back tooth can make it difficult to chew, leading to poor nutrition and indigestion.
Given these facts, you should book a dental visit after you heal from the extraction. That way, your dentist can find a tooth replacement option that works for you.
Can I Smoke After Getting a Tooth Extracted?
Put simply, you shouldn’t smoke immediately after tooth extraction. Tobacco products like cigars, cigarettes and even e-cigarettes will delay healing.
Specifically, it’s best to abstain from smoking for at least five days post-treatment. It’d be even better, however, to avoid the habit for two weeks or more. You’ll heal more effectively in the latter scenario.
If you need help to stop smoking, don’t hesitate to talk to your dentist. Rather than pass judgment, they want to know so they can help you prepare.
What’s the Difference Between Tooth Extractions and Wisdom Tooth Surgery?
While both involve pulling a tooth, tooth extractions and wisdom tooth surgery aren’t the same thing.
Comparing the two, perhaps their most obvious difference is which teeth they pull. While wisdom tooth surgery removes the third and final set of molars, an extraction removes any tooth that’s irreparable or causes overcrowding.
Another difference, meanwhile, is that only wisdom tooth extraction counts as a surgery. Standard extractions tend to be simple, whereas pulling a wisdom tooth can involve making a surgical incision in the gums.