Portage, MI
Tooth Extraction in Portage, MI
Routine & Emergency Tooth Extractions
You may need a tooth extraction if you have severe tooth decay, untreated dental cavities, severely damaged teeth, or a serious infection of your tooth or gums. At Portage Northern Dental, we will always explore more conservative options before recommending a tooth extraction. We will only suggest a tooth extraction if it is the safest and most effective treatment option to protect your teeth, gums, and overall health. After a tooth extraction, we can replace the missing tooth or teeth with a dental implant, dental bridge, or dentures. Call us today to schedule a consultation for a tooth extraction in Portage, MI.
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Why We Might Recommend a Tooth Extraction
During a tooth extraction, your tooth is fully removed from its socket. We only recommend tooth extractions in serious cases where other procedures, like a root canal procedure or periodontal disease treatment, would not be safe or effective. The most common reasons why we recommend tooth extraction are:
- Significant dental cavities or tooth decay
- A tooth that is so fractured or damaged it cannot be saved
- An impacted tooth
- Severe or advanced periodontal disease
- Dental trauma or injury
- Significant dental overcrowding
Preparing for a Tooth Extraction
Before we schedule your tooth extraction, we will fully prepare you for what to expect during and after the procedure. We will complete a thorough dental exam and take dental x-rays. We recommend that you avoid certain medications before the procedure. Our goal is to protect your oral, dental, and overall health and reduce or eliminate pain. We want to make your tooth extraction as comfortable as possible and alleviate any anxiety or fear you have about the procedure. We will answer any questions you have before the procedure. We may offer dental sedation before the procedure so that you will remain relaxed and pain-free. On the day of the procedure, we recommend that you have someone with you who can drive you home afterward. We will administer local anesthesia to numb your tooth and gums. We will then use instruments to lift your tooth out of its socket. When the tooth is removed, we will clean and disinfect the socket and use stitches to close any incisions.
What to Expect After a Tooth Extraction
We will give you specific tooth extraction aftercare instructions to follow. There will be a piece of gauze on your extraction site, and you can remove it when bleeding has slowed. You may still bleed on and off over the next 24 hours. Your tooth extraction healing process will depend on the complexity of the extraction, the number of teeth removed, your oral and dental health, your age, and your overall health. Most people experience bleeding, swelling, and mild discomfort or pain for the first few days after the extraction. The tooth extraction healing stages typically progress quickly, and you should feel back to normal within a week. To prevent a tooth extraction infection, you should avoid smoking and drinking alcohol and avoid eating hard or chewy foods for the first week after the procedure. You should keep the extraction site clean and follow your regular oral hygiene routine, including brushing your teeth twice per day, flossing at least once, and using an antiseptic mouthwash. If you experience pain, swelling, and bleeding, you can rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. You should not drink through a straw or participate in any strenuous activities. The wisdom tooth extraction recovery process is the same as any other tooth extraction.
What Can I Eat & Drink After a Tooth Extraction?
You should stick to soft foods for the first few days after your extraction. Don’t eat hard or crunchy foods or chew on ice, gum, taffy, caramel, or other sticky foods. Do not drink through a straw, and avoid alcohol and smoking. You should eat foods like milkshakes, pudding, rice, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, soup, rice, applesauce, and yogurt.
What Are Some Tips for Recovering From a Tooth Extraction?
Follow our tooth extraction aftercare instructions precisely, and practice good oral hygiene to avoid infection or complications. Watch out for warning signs of complications, such as fever, swelling, pain, severe bleeding, pus, or any other significant symptom that doesn’t improve.
Request a Consultation for a Tooth Extraction
If you think you may need a tooth extraction in Portage, MI, call Portage Northern Dental or contact us online. We will perform a thorough exam and take dental X-rays to determine if you have a problem that is significant enough to warrant a tooth extraction. We will also explore more conservative treatment options, like a root canal, scaling and root planing, and cavity treatment.