If you’ve been feeling dental pain, you may want to consider visiting a dentist for a professional opinion. Sometimes when you have a toothache, you may have an infected tooth that requires extraction. Your dentist can perform a painless and ultimately helpful tooth extraction in Lafayette to benefit your overall health.
If you’re thinking about it, you might feel anxious because of the anticipated pain. Your dentist is here to explain everything you need to know about painless tooth extractions.
Why should I have an infected tooth removed?
There are many dental problems that can wreak havoc on your smile, but infections are one of the worst to face. Sometimes damage or decay reach the tooth’s center where the nerves and blood vessels lay, called the pulp, bacteria can invade the pulp and cause an infection. Not only are they painful but the infection can spread to the rest of your teeth. This can lead to tooth loss!
How does a dentist complete a painless tooth extraction?
Removing a tooth is relatively simple. Your Lafayette dentist will begin with:
- Numbing the area with a local anesthetic and possibly a general anesthetic (to numb the rest of the body) if several teeth are being removed.
- Access the molar by carefully opening the gum tissue.
- Remove the tooth in the safest, easiest way possible. Sometimes that means removing it in small bits to reduce bleeding and trauma to the area.
- Stitch closed the affected area and prescribe you the appropriate pain medication to assist in your recovery period.
What do I do after my tooth extraction?
In most cases, the recovery period is just a few days long. Your dentist wants you to have a speedy, wholesome recovery. Simply take your doctor prescribed medication and follow these helpful recovery tips:
- Keep fresh gauze and pads on the affected area, changing them out as they become too saturated in blood and saliva.
- Use an ice pack on the side of your cheek every 15-20 minutes at a time for the first day to reduce swelling.
- Eat soft foods that don’t require a lot of chewing, but don’t use a straw for the first few days. The sucking notion can loosen the blood clot your body is forming to heal the area.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water, gently swishing it around your mouth to reduce swelling.
If you ever have any questions about a dental procedure after experiencing a dental emergency like an infection, feel free to rest as necessary and you can relax knowing that your dental team is here for you every step of the way.
About Our Office
Here at Sage Dental Care, our doors are always open to people from all walks of life. We believe in an altruistic approach and want to help everyone that steps in our office achieve a painless, beautiful smile. We know that dentistry can’t be completed like an assembly line, so we offer personalized service. Feel free to call out Lafayette office if you want to schedule a personal consultation with one of our dental experts.