Ugh. You have to have a tooth (or more than one tooth) taken out, and you are not looking forward to it. After all, who would? It’s totally normal to be nervous — even scared — about a tooth extraction.

Will it be painful? How long will it take? Will I be able to eat? You probably have lots of questions and concerns about your upcoming procedure. At Edgewood Dental Care, we will happily answer every question you have — and we will make your extraction as smooth and painless as possible. To book an appointment, call our Edgewood, KY office at 859-474-7830.

Tooth Extraction “Whys”

Permanent teeth are supposed to remain in your mouth for life, right? So why would you need one or more removed? There are many scenarios in which a tooth extraction is the best course of action. These include:

  • Preparing the mouth for orthodontic treatment. If your teeth are too crowded, we may have to create more space before fitting you for braces.
  • If you have a tooth that’s blocking another tooth from coming in, it may need to be removed.
  • Wisdom teeth often must be removed before or after they erupt. They can become impacted, or stuck in the jaw.
  • If you have a severely infected tooth that even a root canal can’t save, it will have to be pulled.
  • Periodontal disease leads to the disintegration of the gums and jawbone. If your teeth loosen as a result, they may need to be taken out.
  • You may have to have teeth removed in order to create room for dentures or other restorations.

How Can I Prepare for My Extraction?

A tooth extraction is a relatively simple process. However, you can ensure it goes even more smoothly with proper preparation. Depending on the anesthesia used, you may have to fast the evening before and morning of your procedure. You may also have to arrange a ride to and from the appointment. Ask your dentist if you are not sure. You will have to avoid certain foods for a while after the extraction, so make sure you stock up on extraction-friendly (soft) foods beforehand.

The Extraction Process

At Edgewood Dental Care, we strive to make your extraction easy, painless, and free of stress. The procedure generally takes about an hour.

  • First, we take digital X-rays, to get a full picture of the tooth and the best way to remove it.
  • We administer sedation. We offer three sedation options at our practice: nitrous oxide, oral (pill) sedation, and IV sedation. Which one you get will depend on the complexity of the procedure and your personal level of anxiety. The goal is to make you as comfortable as possible.
  • We numb the area of the tooth so you won’t feel a thing during the extraction. We use the revolutionary Wand anesthesia system, which works without those painful and scary injections.
  • Finally, one of our skilled doctors will extract your tooth.

What Happens after the Extraction?

After your tooth is pulled, you will likely be instructed to keep gauze over the area of the extraction for a while. You may be prescribed pain medications, which you should take as directed, if needed. An ice pack applied to the affected area can keep down swelling. Avoid smoking, drinking from a straw, and spitting or rinsing, all of which can prevent timely healing. Stick to soft foods for at least one day. When you brush and floss, be careful to avoid the extraction site!

If you have uncontrolled bleeding, oozing, fever and other indicators of infection, or extreme pain, be sure to call us right away. These could be signs that something is wrong.

Having a tooth taken out really is not so bad — and often, it’s necessary. To schedule a consultation with one of the doctors at Edgewood Dental Care, call our Edgewood, KY office at 859-474-7830. Or get in touch through our online form.