When Does A Tooth Need To Be Extracted?
Adult teeth are supposed to last your whole life, it doesn’t always work out that you get to keep them. Over time, teeth can become...
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Tooth Extraction
Affordable Dentistry in SE Calgary | Forest Lawn Dental Centre
Wisdom Teeth Removal & Tooth Extractions in SE Calgary
At Forest Lawn Dental Centre, our team will do everything we can to save your tooth but sometimes removing the tooth may be the wisest course of action in order to protect your oral health and overall well-being. Often tooth extraction is done on an emergency basis, and Forest Lawn Dental Centre makes walk-in services available so you may receive timely treatment. We encourage you to call us immediately with any dental emergency.
We also perform scheduled wisdom tooth removals based on your individual needs – keep reading to learn more about what to expect.
Consult a Dentist About Tooth Extraction
Whether you are considering dentures or you have one painfully damaged tooth, consult with a dentist at Forest Lawn Dental Centre to discuss all of your options and review all of the information about removing problem teeth. Your teeth at their best can last a lifetime, but circumstances of health and chance sometimes say otherwise. The reasons to extract one tooth or several teeth include:
✔ Extreme tooth damage from trauma or decay
✔ Periodontal or gum disease that loosens teeth
✔ Infection or abscess that threatens the health of the jawbone
Your dentist may recommend a dental implant to replace your extracted tooth to help keep your bite and remaining teeth stable and aligned. As with any dental procedure, the team at Forest Lawn will give you instructions to minimize infection risk and discomfort after any tooth extraction at our Calgary dental centre.
✔ Preparation for orthodontic treatment
✔ Preparation for full or partial dentures
What You Should Know About Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth, which are the third and final set of molars at the back of your mouth, are often removed for preventive reasons. Issues with wisdom teeth commonly arise when they begin to erupt, which is usually between the ages of 17 and 25. To facilitate their extraction and promote a speedier recovery, your dentist may recommend that you have your wisdom teeth removed before they start to grow in and cause problems.
The most effective way to determine if your wisdom teeth are likely to affect your oral health is to have regular dental exams during adolescence and early adulthood. Even if you’re over the age of 30, it’s important to have any remaining wisdom teeth routinely checked and professionally cleaned. Since they can be harder to properly brush and floss, these teeth may increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
To find out if you need to have your wisdom teeth removed or to schedule your annual dental exam and cleaning, contact the team at Forest Lawn Dental Centre.
Reasons for Wisdom Teeth Removal
Many people need to have their wisdom teeth removed because their jaw is too small to accommodate these four extra molars. If a wisdom tooth doesn’t have enough room to erupt, it can become impacted. Rather than break straight through the gum, an impacted tooth is prevented from growing in straight by your jawbone, tissue or another tooth. This can cause a number of oral health issues, including:
✔ Crowding and damage to the adjacent teeth, which can leave them more susceptible to decay and gum disease
✔ An infection caused by irritation or food and germs trapped beneath the gum tissue flap that forms over an impacted tooth
✔ The formation of a cyst (a pocket of fluid) around the tooth, which can cause damage to the surrounding teeth, gums and jawbone
If you experience pain and swelling around your jaw, swollen or bleeding gums, difficulty opening your mouth, persistent bad breath or other signs of an impacted tooth, consult your dentist as soon as possible.
What To Expect From A Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Prior to removing your wisdom tooth, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to ensure you don’t feel any pain during the procedure. Alternatively, sedation may be used if you need to have more than one tooth extracted at the same time. In addition to preventing pain, this will help you feel more relaxed during the procedure.
Once the area is numb, your dentist will likely need to make a small incision in the gum to access the tooth. Additionally, the tooth may need to be broken into smaller pieces to make it easier to remove. To minimize bleeding and promote a quick recovery, your dentist may stitch up the gum tissue once the tooth has been completely removed.
Aftercare Advice & Tips
Once the anesthetic wears off, you’ll likely experience swelling, tenderness and some pain around the site of the extraction. While this discomfort can usually be treated with an over-the-counter pain medication, your dentist may prescribe something stronger if necessary. Don’t take aspirin or other blood thinners, as these can prevent clotting, promote bleeding and delay your recovery.
To relieve discomfort and minimize swelling, you can apply ice packs to the outside of your cheek for the first few days after your surgery. Additionally, it’s crucial that you don’t irritate the extraction site until it heals.
Among other things, you should avoid:
✔ Eating hard or sticky food
✔ Forcefully brushing your teeth
✔ Vigorously rinsing your mouth
It’s important that you don’t dislodge the blood clot from the extraction site, as this can cause the painful condition known as dry socket.
Be sure to contact your dentist right away if the swelling worsens after a few days or you have trouble swallowing or breathing. You should also reach out if you experience excessive bleeding, severe pain or any signs of an infection.
Read more about tooth extraction in SE Calgary in the related posts below.
✔ Smoking or vaping
✔ Drinking through a straw
✔ Touching the affected area
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