Oral Surgery

Many times damaged or poorly positioned teeth can be fixed be either a dental procedure or orthodontics. Sometimes though, a tooth is so damaged or poorly positioned that it has to be removed or extracted. A common form of tooth extraction is having wisdom teeth removed.

What are signs that I need an extraction?

If you have impacted wisdom teeth, or a severely broken, infected, or damaged tooth, an extraction might be needed.

Signs that you need an extraction include:

• Wisdom teeth that can’t break through
• Badly broken or damaged tooth
• Painful tooth
• Foul breath
• Crowded teeth
• Swollen and painful gums (periodontal disease)
• Swollen and painful jaw
• Difficulty moving or opening your jaw

Recovery

When you have an extraction, it’s natural that changes will occur in your mouth afterward. Your dentist may give you instructions to follow after the extraction, and it’s important to talk to your dentist if you have any questions or problems.

Here are some tips to follow to make recovery easier:

• Avoid anything that might prevent normal healing.
• Don’t smoke or rinse your mouth vigorously.
• Avoid drinking through a straw for 24 hours.
• Follow the diet your dentist suggests.

At Jacaranda Dental we provide tooth extractions in our office in a comfortable setting. Contact us today to learn more about our oral surgery procedures.