What To Expect When Getting A Tooth Pulled

Dentists do everything they can to save teeth, including root canals, which is a procedure that removes infection from a tooth. However, not every tooth can be saved. Advanced decay and infection can be medically dangerous. The bacteria in an infected tooth can cause an abscess, which is an accumulation of bacteria-laden pus. This pus pocket can lead to sinus infections and severe facial swelling.

An abscess can also cause more serious conditions such as a bone infection, cellulitis of the airway, meningitis, an inflammation of the brain lining and spinal cord, which can trigger a stroke, paralysis, or coma, and sepsis, which is blood poisoning. These are all potentially fatal. Bacteria can also find its way to the heart and cause complications, especially in those with congenital heart defects or heart disease.

Those with compromised immune systems also need to have infected teeth removed promptly. An infected tooth and abscess should never be ignored, and treatment usually requires extraction and a course of antibiotics. Like most dental work, extractions are not fun, but your dentist can make it reasonably comfortable. Here's what to expect if you need a tooth pulled.

What Is The Tooth Extraction Process?

Anesthesia

The first step is administering the anesthesia. This is typically one or more injections of lidocaine, which is a local anesthetic. This is the drug that makes that part of your mouth go numb. Some dentists will also use nitrous oxide, sometimes called "laughing gas," to help you relax. A mild sedative may be given orally or intravenously in people who have dental anxiety or small children. Rarely, general anesthesia, where the patient is unconscious, is used. This is usually reserved for developmentally disabled children or when several teeth that are impacted, such as wisdom teeth, require oral surgery rather than an extraction.

Extraction

Once the anesthesia has taken effect, the doctor will use an instrument called forceps to grasp the tooth and wiggle it back and forth repeatedly until he feels it loosen. Then it is simply a matter of tugging it out. Sometimes badly decayed teeth will break off. In this case, he may need to use other dental instruments to reach the remaining piece or pieces. There is often a sudden foul odor once the tooth is out. This is from the bacteria.

Clotting

Naturally, your body will respond by immediately bleeding, which is a good thing. It helps get the bacteria out. The dentist will have you bite down on gauze for several minutes until the bleeding slows. Then the gauze will be removed, and the remaining blood will form a blood clot in the hole where the tooth was. It is extremely important this clot forms and is not disrupted as it is protecting an exposed nerve. If it becomes dislodged, which can happen on its own but more often from people smoking or sucking from a straw, you will develop dry socket. This is an extremely painful condition so be sure you follow your after-care instructions.  

For more information on your upcoming tooth extraction, contact your local dental office.