At High Point Dentistry, we understand that the idea of having a tooth removed can feel overwhelming. While dentists always make every effort to preserve natural teeth, sometimes removing a tooth is the best option for protecting your overall oral health. If an extraction is necessary, we will also discuss tooth replacement options when appropriate to help maintain your smile and oral function. Contact us today to learn more and schedule!
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Reasons for a tooth extraction may include:
- An impacted wisdom tooth that cannot grow in fully.
- A severe infection that could spread to surrounding teeth.
- A broken tooth beyond repair.
- The need to create room for a crowded smile.
What can I eat after a dental extraction?
Once your treatment is complete, you should wait until the numbness wears off before trying to eat anything to avoid accidentally biting your tongue or the inside of your cheek. We recommend stocking up on some soft foods before your procedure, like oatmeal, soup, yogurt, pudding, and avocados, that require minimal chewing and will be easy to eat. Smoothies and milkshakes are great too, just be careful not to drink them through a straw, as that can cause a painful dry socket.
Are dental extractions painful?
Your dental extraction procedure should not be overly uncomfortable. Before we begin, a local anesthetic will be injected into the gums near the tooth to completely numb the teeth and gums. This means that while you may feel some pressure during the extraction, it should not hurt. Our team will also provide you with aftercare instructions for managing pain. We can either write a prescription for you or offer a recommendation for over-the-counter pain medication to take to manage any pain or discomfort.
When can I go back to school or work?
It depends on your unique treatment and how many teeth are being removed. Since dental extractions are considered oral surgery, you should plan to spend at least the rest of the day resting at home. In the following days after the procedure, it’s important to take it easy and not exercise or be too active, as that can slow the healing process down. Once you return to your normal routine, you will still likely want to continue eating soft foods for a while and avoid putting too much on your schedule.