Extractions

We understand that having a tooth removed can be an upsetting and anxious time, and, if possible, we’ll always try and help you save your tooth, but if a removal is needed, we will do everything possible to make it as comfortable and simple for you as possible.

 

If you are feeling particularly nervous, you may also choose to have your treatment performed under sedation or to use one of the other options available to our nervous patients.

 

We’ll always make sure that the area is completely numb before removing any tooth, and if need be we have a great team of specialist for more complicated cases including wisdom teeth removal.  

 

Wisdom Teeth

Sometimes there may not be room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth and, as they start to come through, they push against the teeth already there or may start to come through at an angle. When this happens, you might feel some pain or discomfort, so the best thing to do is to visit your dentist.

 

The dentist will probably take an x-ray of your mouth to see how - or if - your wisdom teeth are coming through.  From this, they will be able to make a judgement on whether or not to take them out or how best to look after you. Should you need to have a wisdom tooth taken out we have a great team of specialist oral surgeons who can care for you, and all your treatment can be carried out under sedation should you wish.

 

Having a tooth out is the same as having an operation and, because of this, you must look after the area to speed healing and to reduce the risk of infection. Here are some pointers:

 

Aftercare Advice

• For the first 24 hours, try to avoid eating hot food, don't smoke, don't drink any alcohol and try not to disturb any blood clot which might have formed.

• Don't rinse your mouth for 24 hours after extraction. After that, rinse gently with warm salty water - half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water is enough.

• Brush your teeth as normal to keep your mouth as clean as possible.

• You may feel some small pieces of bone work their way out of the socket - don't worry, this is perfectly normal.

• There may be some swelling and a bit of discomfort in the first two to three days. If you need to, take some ordinary painkillers - aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetomol will be fine.

• If you feel pain a few days after the tooth has been removed, it might be where the blood clot has broken down leaving an empty hole in the gum. This is called a 'dry socket' and will need to be looked at by your dentist. Simply go back and the dentist will pack the wound to ease your discomfort.

 

Your dentist may have given you some gauze to place onto the area where the tooth has been removed - if not, a clean cloth handkerchief will do just as well (but not a paper tissue).

 

• Roll it into a small firm pad large enough to fit over the gap (probably around 1cm by 3cm).

• Sit up and gently clear away any blood clots around the gap using the gauze or hanky.

• Put a clean pad over the gap (from tongue side to cheek side) and bite down on it firmly for 10 to 15 minutes.

• Take the pad off and check whether the bleeding has stopped. If not, apply a fresh pad and contact your dentist