Tooth Extractions in Auburn

What Causes the Need for a Tooth Extraction?

A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone. Extractions are usually needed when a tooth is broken or damaged by decay and there is too much damage to repair with a filling, crown, or root canal treatment. Other common reasons for an extraction include:

• Impacted or problematic wisdom teeth
• Extra teeth that are blocking other teeth from coming in
• Baby teeth that haven’t fallen out in time for permanent teeth to erupt
• Crowding that needs to be corrected before orthodontic treatment, such as braces
• Advanced gum disease that has loosened a tooth
• Medical reasons, such as preparing for certain treatments

Comfortable, Stress-Free Extractions

Before your extraction, we’ll take digital X-rays and thoroughly numb the area so you feel pressure but no pain. For patients who feel anxious or who need multiple teeth removed, we offer several levels of sedation dentistry to help you relax.

Planning to Replace Your Tooth

Replacing a missing tooth helps prevent shifting teeth, bite problems, and jawbone loss. We can often perform socket preservation through dental bone grafting at the time of your extraction to protect the site for a future dental implant. Other replacement options include bridges, dentures, and All-on-4 dental implants when multiple teeth are being removed.

Recovering From a Tooth Extraction

The most critical part of the extraction process is recovery. To encourage proper healing, we need to control the bleeding immediately after the extraction. We’ll have you bite down on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes to help a blood clot form. It’s important not to disturb this clot for the next 24 hours, so avoid sucking through straws, which can lead to a painful dry socket. Place an ice pack on the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling. Once the swelling has gone down, a warm compress on the same area can provide comfort. You can also gently rinse with warm salt water to keep the extraction site clean.

How Do I Prevent Dry Socket After a Tooth Extraction?

After an extraction, a blood clot forms in the socket as your body begins the healing process. If this clot is dislodged before your mouth has fully healed, it can expose the bone and nerves and cause a painful condition called dry socket. Five tips for avoiding dry socket:

1. Avoid straws or anything that creates suction or a strong movement of air in your mouth.
2. Avoid smoking tobacco, as the fast inhalation can dislodge your blood clot, and the chemicals may slow healing or cause an infection.
3. Eat only soft foods, such as applesauce, yogurt, and mashed potatoes, for the first one or two days.
4. Ask us about any medications you’re taking to make sure they won’t interfere with healing.
5. Keep your mouth clean with gentle oral hygiene, and consider an antibacterial mouthwash.

Following your dentist’s aftercare instructions will help you recover faster and more comfortably.

What Can I Eat After a Tooth Extraction?

Stick to soft foods for the first couple of days so you don’t disturb the blood clot. Good options include:

• Applesauce
• Yogurt
• Mashed potatoes
• Jello
• Pudding
• Ice cream

Avoid hot, spicy, crunchy, or chewy foods until the area has healed, and chew on the opposite side of your mouth.

If you have a painful or damaged tooth, call Taylor Brook Dental Associates at (207) 784-1577 to schedule an evaluation. For sudden, severe pain or injury, visit our emergency dentistry page.

Tooth Extraction FAQs