10 Best Practices To Avoid Wisdom Tooth Extraction Complications

Your dentist does not recommend tooth extraction procedure unless it’s the last option there is. One of the rare occasions that he performs this is when you have an impacted wisdom tooth.  This condition means that your mouth does not have enough space for the third molar to fully erupt. In some patients, their molars grow under the gums or only a portion of the tooth shows on the surface. Impacted wisdom teeth not only cause pain, yet they also attract bacteria to hide in between. With these reasons, you need to immediately book an appointment with your dentist for a wisdom tooth removal

Wisdom tooth extraction procedure

The dentist will scan the tooth to check the position of the molar and its roots which is necessary for treatment planning. There’s nothing to worry about dental pain or discomfort because the dentist will numb the surrounding gums before the wisdom tooth extraction. Next, he will make an incision on your gums so he can see the molar that needs extraction. Using his dental tools, he grips on the tooth and uses a rocking motion to remove it. If it’s difficult to remove it in one piece, he breaks the tooth first and removes the pieces one by one. Wisdom tooth removal is completed by closing up the gums through stitches. Sometimes this step is no longer required. 

Best practices to prevent wisdom tooth extraction complications

1. Eat more cold foods to contract blood vessels and encourage blood clot formation. 

2. Don’t rub the extraction site with your bare hands or tongue. 

3. Manage the bleeding by putting gauze pad or tea bag on the tooth extraction area. 

4. Don’t brush the extraction site or forcefully rinse your mouth so as not to disrupt blood clot. 

5. Gargle with salt water rinse after every meal to prevent bacterial growth in the mouth. 

6. Have a good rest and limit physical activities within 72 hours. 

7. Take only the prescribed antibiotics and pain relievers to speed up your recovery. 

8. See your dentist three days after the wisdom tooth removal for a follow-up checkup. 

9. Inform your dentist right away if you experience excessive bleeding or pain even after medication. 

10. Seek advice from your dentist before going back to doing strenuous activities. 

Caring for yourself after a wisdom tooth extraction in Markham, Ontario is vital to prevent complications. Follow your dentist’s orders and you will be away from any kind of infection after the extraction. 

 

Creative Ways To Let Your Child Say Yes To Tooth Extraction

It’s always challenging to convince the kids to visit their dentist, more so if they need a tooth extraction. There’s going to be a lot of preparation, story telling, and gift buying before he finally agrees to do it. However, as parents, have you tried these creative ways of convincing your child to have this tooth removed?

Prior to talking to your child to undergo the procedure, it’s important to understand when this is necessary. Here are the dental case scenarios where your child needs to have a tooth or two removed.

  • The wisdom tooth is impacted which means it has not fully erupted or is coming out in an incorrect position. This dental case requires an immediate wisdom tooth extraction.
  • The child has crowded teeth. If left untreated, some of his teeth become crooked and will further lead to malocclusion.
  • Baby teeth are still present until adolescent stage. When these are not removed, there’s no room for the permanent teeth to erupt.

These dental cases need immediate attention as early as childhood so these will not cause the malformation of his teeth. Having said this, you need to convince your child to meet his dentist for tooth removal.

Simple tricks to convince your child to undergo a tooth extraction

Let him earn the bragging rights of a tooth champion.

Be playful and creative in giving him an award as the tooth champion. He gets to tell his family and friends on how brave he is to meet the dentist and sit on his chair. A reward would be meaningful after he successfully goes through the tooth extraction procedure.  

He’s not cute when he cries over a toothache.

Crying is definitely a sign that your child is in pain because he has a low tolerance to such discomfort. When his wisdom tooth is impacted, it causes swelling in the jaw area which certainly causes pain to your child. The tooth is suppose to come out naturally, however it’s trapped inside the gums. Assure your child that this should be over once he undergoes a wisdom tooth extraction.

There’s an ice cream treat after a tooth extraction.

A sweet treat is waiting for your child as soon as you step out from the dentist’s clinic. Let him enjoy his soft serve ice cream to numb the gums and allow the blood to clot. This appeals to him as his reward, however, the main purpose is to jumpstart his healing process.

What to expect on the tooth extraction day

wisdom tooth extraction

After the “baby talk” is over and the appointment is set, it’s time to go and meet the dentist for the tooth extraction procedure. Simply remember to follow these steps.

  1. Please let your child take his meal at least two hours before the schedule of the tooth removal. This ensures that he’s ready for any medication that will be given to him during the procedure.
  2. Arrive at the dental clinic 45 minutes prior to the appointment because you need to fill out some paperwork. Also, this allows your child to be at ease inside the dental clinic as he meets the friendly dental staff.
  3. Take your child inside the dentist’s room and help him settle on the dental chair. You don’t need to worry as he will be given oral sedation and local anesthetic for a pain-free wisdom tooth extraction.  
  4. Strictly adhere to the home care post-operative instructions to help your child manage the pain and heal faster. Bleeding is normal and should not cause you to panic. Your dentist shall provide you with a sterilized gauze pad that your child can bite on to manage the bleeding. Change it every 30 minutes or so, especially once you arrive home.
  5. Prepare a soft meal for him and damp a cold compress near the extraction site to prevent swelling.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully convinced your child to go through tooth extraction in Markham, Ontario. Let him enjoy more cold and soft food while he’s still recovering. He should feel okay and be free to play again after 72 hours. Don’t forget to give him the reward he deserves and tell his “tooth champion” tale to your friends and family.

Five Reasons Why A Tooth Extraction Is Necessary

Nothing can be so excruciating as a toothache. It results in a painful and throbbing pain that is intolerable. What’s worse is that it also causes a terrible headache. The usual reaction each time a toothache strikes is to go to the dentist for a tooth extraction.

But before you decide on getting the procedure, take time to think for a moment. Permanent teeth once extracted are gone forever, unlike your baby teeth. Still, there are instances when it is necessary.

What is a tooth extraction?

A tooth extraction is a process wherein the dentist removes a tooth from the socket or dental alveolus. It doesn’t cause trauma to the surrounding tissues. A wisdom tooth extraction is the removal of the third molar tooth situated at the back of your mouth.  

There are two types of tooth extraction, the simple extraction and surgical extraction. Your dentist performs a simple extraction if the damaged tooth is visible in the mouth. He performs a surgical extraction if the tooth isn’t accessible or visible. Dentists use digital X-rays and intra-oral cameras for tooth extraction in Markham Ontario.

Top five reasons why you need a tooth extraction

For a dentist, tooth and wisdom tooth extraction should only be the last resort. There are cases when a tooth can still be saved through fillings or root canal treatment. However, if all other possibilities are already exhausted then a tooth extraction is the solution.

These are the common reasons why a tooth extraction procedure is necessary:

1.Presence of deep and severe tooth decay.

The presence of deep decay damages your tooth and infects the pulp. Your dentist or oral surgeon may suggest for a root canal treatment. But, if there is severe infection then tooth extraction is the answer.

2.Impacted molars.

There are instances when the gums do not erupt. This prevents the tooth from coming out. It usually happens to molars or wisdom teeth.

3.Loosened tooth due to periodontal disease.

Gum disease or periodontitis causes deep pockets around the teeth and gum recession. Your dentist performs an extraction if a tooth doesn’t have enough gum tissue to hold it.

4.Teeth overcrowding.

Overcrowded teeth affects your smile and your dentist extracts a tooth to correct it. Some dentists suggest the use of orthodontics for moderate cases of overcrowded teeth.

5.Fractured teeth.

Your teeth are made of bone-like tissue and the hardest substance of the body. However, it also becomes fractured.The molars are more prone to fractures since it is used for chewing. If a molar tooth gets fractured below the gum line, your dentist performs a wisdom tooth extraction to solve the problem.

Important tips to follow after tooth extraction

Finally, you’re relieved of the toothache! It also stops further infection and damage to your remaining natural teeth. Now, you need to be extra careful in following these tips to avoid complications.  Here’s what you should do after the extraction procedure:

  • Place an ice pack on the side of your face near the area.

Placing an ice pack will reduce swelling on the area. Put it for an interval of 15 minutes for the next one to two hours after the extraction.

  • Bite down on a piece of gauze.

Your dentist will give you a piece of gauze to bite on after the extraction. It will put pressure on the area and stop the bleeding. Change the gauze at least every 30 minutes and do this for at least an hour or so. If  the area doesn’t stop bleeding even after an hour put a wet tea bag on the area for the blood to clot.

  • Have ample rest.

Avoid any physical activity or strenuous exercise after your tooth extraction. Get ample rest and elevate your head in an upright position.

  • Avoid eating crunchy, hard or sticky food.

Don’t eat these food after a tooth extraction as it may irritate the area.

  • Don’t use a straw for drinking.

Avoid drinking with a straw for the time being as it means you have to suck which loosens the blood clots.

  • Rinse mouth with salt water solution after a wisdom tooth extraction.

Rinse your mouth with salt water to sanitize the area and do so with gentle strokes.

The cost for a tooth extraction ranges from $50 CAD to $900 CAD and this depends on the complexity of the procedure. Surgical extractions usually cost more than simple extractions. Meanwhile, wisdom teeth removal cost starts at $75 CAD.

You don’t have to bear the toothache and wait until it worsens before you act on it. Remember that tooth extraction is not the only solution but it is sometimes necessary. Talk to your dentist to learn more about this procedure.