Category Archives: Dental Health Education
Tooth Removal – Causes, Procedure and Post Extraction Care
In simple language, tooth extraction is removal of tooth from mouth, more precisely, tooth is removed from its socket in the bone.
# Causes for removal of tooth/teeth:-
– Most common cause for tooth removal is damaged or grossly decayed tooth.
– Tooth/ teeth with abscesses & swelling.
– Most common reason for tooth removal in Adults is periodontitis.
– Tooth with fracture line & fractured teeth.
– Peaple getting orthodontic treatment/braces may require removal of teeth that are being moved into place.
– Wisdom teeth somethimes get stuck in the jaw (i.e. get impacted) may require extraction/removal.
# Procedure for tooth removal/extraction-
–> Before doing tooth extraction dentist/oral surgeon will take Medical & Dental history of patient.
–> Dentist/oral surgeon will then evaluate tooth by clinically & if requiredradiograph (X ray / IOPA) will be taken.
–> Then Dentist/Oral Surgeon will proceed with extraction (removal) of tooth if patient dosenot have any severe medically compromised codition or any other complication/contraindication.
–> Tooth extraction (removal) can be done by two ways:-
1. Simple ( Closed/Forcep) Extraction.
2. Open (Surgical) Extraction.
–> Time required for tooth extraction (removal) may vary depending upon tooth condition & extraction method.
Open (Surgical) Extraction procedure is completed by dentist in 15-30 minuites.
–> Simple extraction procedure is done by Dentist/Oral Surgeon under local anaesthesia which is given to numb the tooth & when the tooth & surrounding mucosa is anaesthetized, Dentist/Oral Surgeon will proceed with tooth extraction procedure.
Tooth extraction procedure involves removal of tooth from its bony socket which require loosening of soft tissue attachment from tooth & luxation of tooth using dental extraction instrument. Lastly removal of tooth from its bony socket is done with the help of
specific dental dental forcep. Then after careful inspection of extraction socket dentist will give guaze pack to stop bleeding & to achieve hemostais.
Postoperative/Postextraction instruction are given to the patient.
–> Postoperative instruction given to patient after a simple or closed extraction–
Following Postextraction instruction is very essential to avoid unnecessary pain or complications os infection or swelling.
# Immedediately after extraction–
* Bite on the cotton guazepack placed over extraction site for 45 minutes to 1 hour, after that remove it gently.
* Maintain contant pressure or guaze ( No talking or chewing).
* Do not spit or suck through a straw. If bleeding persists at home, place a clean guaze pad over the sockt & bite it firmly for 30 minutes.
* You can also bite on a moistereed tea bag for thirty minutes. (Tannic acid in the tea bag helps to from a clot by contracting bleeding venels).
* Some blood will ooze from the area of surgery for several hours which is normal.
* Avoid vigorous mouth rinsing or touching the wound with tongue etc following extraction.
* To minimize any swelling, you can place ice packs to the side of face over extraction area.
* Take prescribed pain medication as soon as possible.
* Get plenty of rest at least 8-10 hours of sleep 7 avoid vigorous excercize during first 24 hours after tooth removal.
* Do not smoke under any circumstances (atleast for 48 hrs after surgery).
– > Diet
* Use soft or liquid diet high in protein.
* Drink large amount of water & fruit juices (Do not use straw).
* Avoid hot food for a whole day after tooth removal.
# Some important points to be taken into considenration–>
* Some pain or discomfort is normal after tooth removal surgery which can be controlled by taking pain medication prescibed by your dentist / oral surgeon.
* Donot drive an automobile or work around heavy machinery under pain medication.
* Do not mix alcohol & pain medication.
* Swelling after surgery is normal body reaction, applying icepacks over the area for the first 24 hours and not longer than 20 minutes at a time, helps to control swelling.
Do not use hot fermentation (do not apply heat).
* Low grade temperature (99-100F) for 7-10 days following tooth removal is normal.
* You may experience some mild bruising in the area of surgery, which is also normal and will dissapear in 7-14 days.
* If sutures/stitches were placed in the area of tooth extracted then your dentist/oral surgeon will tell when sutures/stitches need to be removed (usually in about a week and if sutures are self-dissolving they don’t require removal).
* Contact your dentist for any doubt or severe discomfort.
How to Floss Teeth
Flossing your teeth is also as important as brushing of your teeth. Many of us skip flossing after brushing, they think their mouth feels clean after brushing but it is wrong, The ADA recommends brushing twice daily and cleaning between teeth with floss (or another interdental cleaner) once daily.
Flossing teeth removes food and plaque trapped between the teeth which in turn helps to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
You can use dental floss before you brush, the fluoride from the toothpaste has a better chance of reaching between teeth.
I found best video demonstrating ‘How to Floss Teeth’ on youtube Uploaded by ColgateOralCare.
How to Brush your teeth properly
Brushing your teeth is very essential for maintaining good oral hygiene.
Brushing your teeth properly is very important for removal of plaque from the surfaces of the teeth which in turn helps to prevent tooth decay as well as gum disease.
But how many of us know proper brushing technique?
It is very important to brush your teeth with proper brushing technique. Improper brushing may harm teeth as well as periodontal structures badly.
I found the best video on youtube demonstrating ‘Proper Brushing Technique’ as well as ‘Oral Hygiene Instructions’ by Dr. Berdy, periodontist Jacksonville, FL.
