Tooth Extraction and Aftercare in Bromley

When prognosis is poor, an extraction may be the best solution.

There are a number of reasons that a tooth might need to be extracted. In younger patients it may simply be that the mouth is overcrowded and some teeth need to be extracted so that the remaining teeth can grow correctly.

In more mature patients though, a tooth is generally extracted only when there is no alternative. For relatively minor damage or dental decay, fillings, crowns and root canal treatments may be used to save the natural tooth.

Extraction

Bromley patients of the Smile Dental Practice can be assured that, should you need to have a tooth extracted, you will be in good hands. Our dental team are experienced and will do all that is possible to make this procedure as comfortable as they can for the patient. For those whose dental anxiety levels are very high, we also offer sedation to help you through the procedure.

Modern local anaesthetics ensure that the area where the tooth is to be extracted is totally numb before the procedure starts. Specialist dental tools will then be used to manoeuvre the affected tooth from side to side a little to loosen the tooth from the socket. Once the tooth is loose enough, the dentist will simply remove it from the socket.

Aftercare

Immediately following the extraction, you will be given some gauze to bite down on for twenty minutes or so. This is important as it allows a blood clot to form in the socket which will allow the wound to heal. Once the gauze has been removed and the clot formed, it is important that you don’t poke at it with anything, including your tongue. It is also very important to keep your mouth as clean as possible in the period following the extraction. You should continue to clean your teeth in the usual manner, but taking care to avoid the area of extraction so that the clot does not become dislodged.

This area however, does need to be kept clean, and, a few hours after the tooth extraction, when the clot has become established, a warm salt solution can be used to rinse the area. Care should be taken not to do this vigorously, but to put the saline solution in the mouth and then tilt it towards the  extraction area. Do not swill, as this may cause the clot to become dislodged.

Alternate this every two hours with an appropriate mouthwash and you should find that the wound heals nicely. There may be a little bleeding in the hours following the extraction and this is entirely natural; however if the bleeding appears to be excessive or you have any other concerns, please do contact us for advice.

At the Smile Dental Practice, we are on hand for any questions or concerns that you may have, and can be contacted by calling us on 020 8462 2473.