Quick & Pain-Free Tooth Extractions
Needing a tooth removed is very common. Generally, it’ll benefit the future of your smile and improve your overall dental health in the long run. If you’re suffering from excessive tooth decay, infection, or crowding of the teeth, tooth extractions may be right for you.
Here at Berchelmann Family Dental, we can easily remove a tooth if necessary while offering sedation dentistry to help ease any discomfort.
After a damaged or decayed tooth is removed, we can offer you a variety of options to help restore your smile. Whether it’s a dental bridge or dental implants, you’ll soon be leaving our office with improved dental health.
Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Your wisdom teeth are your third set of molars that typically grow in when you reach your teenage years or adulthood. Sometimes, your wisdom teeth can be a great asset to your mouth if they grow in properly, however, these teeth generally grow in crooked or they may not fully grow in at all and will require removal.
If this is the case for you, we can easily extract your wisdom teeth in just one appointment. Removing your wisdom teeth can also prevent problems with your other teeth in the future such as being impacted or becoming fractured.
Caring for Your Smile
After a tooth extraction procedure, Dr. Berchelmann recommends certain post-op care that you should follow to ensure a successful recovery. It’s also important to know that adults and children may have a slightly different healing period and there are separate guidelines to follow.
For Adults:
When you’re recovering from a tooth extraction procedure, be sure to use any painkillers we prescribe you to diminish any post-op pain. You should also leave the initial gauze pad in place until about three to four hours after the procedure and apply an ice bag to the area for 10 minutes at a time following your appointment.
Other tips for your healing process are:
- Rest for 24 hours following the operation and limit your activity for the next couple of days
- Don’t rinse, spit, or use a straw
- Rinse your mouth with a salt solution
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
- Continue brushing and flossing your teeth to prevent infection
For Your Child:
Right after your child’s tooth removal, their mouth will be more sensitive than usual. Discourage them from sipping from a straw or swishing liquids in their mouth to avoid losing the healthy blood clot. You should also put them on a soft food diet so their socket doesn’t get infected and they don’t experience discomfort from chewing.
Additionally, after the first day of recovery:
- Use ice packs to reduce swelling
- Incorporate a saltwater rinse
- Prevent your child from touching their mouth with their hands
- Continue brushing twice a day for two minutes each time
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a tooth extraction take?
Tooth extractions are quick, single-visits at our San Antonia office. The process generally lasts up to an hour but can be longer if more than one tooth needs to be removed.
What do I do after a tooth extraction?
After your tooth is pulled, you should take prescribed painkillers, rest, follow a soft food diet, don’t smoke or drink alcohol, apply ice to the area, and use gauze pads for bleeding.
How long after a tooth extraction can I eat?
Once your tooth extraction appointment is complete you can eat after an hour, but be sure to only eat foods that are soft or drink liquids for the first 24 hours.
How long after a tooth extraction can I smoke?
It’s best to avoid smoking for at least a day after you’ve had a tooth removed. However, the longer you wait, the better you’ll heal, so we recommend you wait 72 hours.
How long does it take to recover from a tooth extraction?
You should take about 48-72 hours to relax after your tooth extraction treatment. After that, you’ll be able to return to normal physical activity. The soft tissue will usually fully heal in about 3-4 weeks.
What do I do if the site of my extraction is infected?
If you notice a bitter taste in your mouth, induced pain, bad breath, swelling, sensitivity to temperatures, or feel a fever, these may be signs of an infected extraction site. In this instance, you should call us immediately to get is cleaned and removed.
Is a tooth extraction painful?
Here at Berchelmann Family Dentistry, we offer sedation dentistry to help reduce pain for your tooth extraction procedure and minimize post-op discomfort. Ask us about our options when you come in for your consultation.
Should I feel pain in the days after my tooth extraction?
During normal healing, the discomfort of an extraction should diminish over a few days. However, if the pain increases, this is an indication that healing is delayed and could possibly be due to a dry socket and you should give us a call to come in for a check-up.
Can a tooth extraction cause other teeth to hurt?
If you remove a tooth, it can sometimes cause other teeth to shift in your mouth, which will result in changes in your bite. In these cases, we will recommend a tooth replacement options such as dental implants or bridges to ensure your jaw and teeth aren’t affected.
Have Questions? Give Us a Call
If you’re bothered by a tooth or you feel your wisdom teeth growing in, give us a call to discuss your options for a tooth extraction procedure. Once we get you scheduled, it’ll be a safe and quick visit to our San Antonia office to get your tooth removed and replaced.