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Tooth Extraction

When you have had a tooth extracted (removed), you need to take good care of your mouth. Doing certain things, even on the first day of extraction, may help you feel better and heal faster.

Control Bleeding To help control bleeding, bite firmly on gauze placed by your dentist. The pressure of the bite helps to form a blood clot in the tooth socket. If you have a lot of bleeding, bite on a regular tea bag. The tannic acid in the tea aids in forming a blood clot. Bite on regular gauze or the tea bag until bleeding stops.

Minimize Pain To lessen any pain, take prescribed medication as directed. DO not drive while taking any pain medication as you may feel drowsy. Ask your dentist if you may take over-the-counter medication, if needed.

Reduce Swelling To reduce swelling, place an ice pack on your cheek near the extraction site. You can make an ice pack by putting ice in a plastic bag and wrapping it in a thin towel. Apply the ice pack on your cheek for 10 Minutes, Then, remove it for 5 minutes. Repeat as needed. You may see some bruising on your face, This is normal and will go away on its own.

Get Enough Rest Limit activities for the first 24 hours after the extraction. Rest during the day and go to bed early. When lying down, elevate your head slightly.

DO'S and DON'TS for an EXTRACTION

DO'S

Below are some things you can do to help your mouth heal.

* Do eat a diet of soft, healthy foods and snacks. It may be easier for you to east soft foods soon after your extraction. Drink plenty of liquids while you are healing.

* Do brush your teeth gently. Avoid brushing around the extraction. And do not use any toothpaste. Rinsing toothpaste from your mouth may dislodge the blood clot.

* Do keep the extraction site clean. After 12 hours you may be able to gently rinse your mouth. Rinse four times a day with 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of water. Check with your dentist first.

**CAUTION**

Rinse your mouth gently. Otherwise the clot may dislodge.

DON'TS

Below are some things to avoid while you are healing.

* Do not drink with a straw. Sucking on a straw may dislodge the blood clot.

* Do not drink hot liquids. Hot liquids may increase swelling. Limit your alcohol use. Excessive use of alcohol may slow healing.

* Do not smoke. Smoking may break down the blood clot, causing painful tooth socket (Dry Socket).

Text Box: CALL YOUR DENTIST IF:
• Pain becomes more severe the day after extraction.
• Bleeding becomes hard to control (slight oozing of blood on the 1st day is normal).
• Swelling around the extraction site worsens.
• Itching or rashes occur after you take the medication (May be an allergic reaction).

Eating While You Heal

Eating right will help you heal faster after your tooth extraction. Eat regular meals as soon as you can after surgery. As you heal, try the tips below.

Start with soft foods and liquids

At first, eat soft foods such as oatmeal, mashed potatoes, bananas, and soups.
Also drink liquids high in nutrients such as vegetable and fruit juices or high-protein drinks.

Move on to solid foods

Cut foods into small pieces to ease chewing.
Use a blender for hard-to-chew foods, such as apples and carrots.

Be careful when you chew

Limit chewing. Avoid crunchy or sticky foods, such as popcorn, taffy, and nuts.
Chew on the side of your mouth that's opposite the extraction.

Replacing Missing Teeth

Reason

After a tooth is removed, a gap is left where the tooth used to be. With time, the space can cause:

- the teeth in front of the space to drift back creating spaces between front teeth.

- Teeth behind space to tilt forward.

- The tooth above the space to erupt down.

When teeth drift out of position, several conditions may occur:

- Several bite problems that could lead to clicking of the jaw, headaches and jaw pain.

- Hard to clean areas are created which will lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

Methods

FIXED BRIDGE:

· A fixed bridge is cemented in place over the teeth just like a single crown.

· It is not removable.

· As a crown, a bridge can be made of white porcelain, gold, a silver colored metal or a combination of these.

· A fixed bridge is the most realistic method of replacing missing teeth, both is appearance and chewing comfort.

REMOVABLE PARTIAL:

· A removable partial is designed to be inserted and removed by the patient.

· It is held is place by metal clasps surrounding your natural teeth. Several new versions can be made without the metal clasps. The dentist can tell if these clasps are needed.

· It can be used in place of a fixed bridge or in cases where a fixed bridge cannot be used.

IMPLANTS:

· Implant is a several step procedure.

· Dental implants aid in replacing a single tooth, several teeth or even all of your teeth. The implant itself looks like a screw or cylinder and is placed into the jaw. Over a period of 3-6 months, the implant and jawbone fuse together to provide an anchor for the crown. An abutment is used as an extension to complete the foundation for the new tooth to be attached.