Actually Not That Scary: Tooth Extraction

It’s a frequent horror image for kids and adults alike: the idea of a dentist, clacking their metal tools together as they come in…for your tooth! We’re happy to confirm that this is, indeed, just another scary story that belongs completely to the realm of fantasy.

In reality, tooth extraction is completely safe, and the use of sedation dentistry also means it’s comfortable, too. It’s also sometimes necessary to keep the rest of your mouth healthy! Today, we’re going to explore what a tooth extraction is, why it’s not nearly as bad as what you’ve heard, and how you can find a Barrie dentist’s office to help if you need an extraction of your own.

Why Your Barrie Dentist Might Recommend Extraction

There are several reasons why your dentist in Barrie might recommend tooth extraction as a means of treatment. One of the most common examples is the removal of wisdom teeth, which, if left in place, can negatively impact the development of other teeth or may cause pain by pressing on their neighbouring teeth. However, there might be other reasons your dentist recommends extraction:

• Baby teeth failed to fall out as they should, leaving no room for the adult permanent teeth to come in.
• Advanced tooth decay may have spread to the inner tissue of the tooth, and may now be threatening to spread to the jaw bone.
• A dental injury may have fractured or damaged a tooth beyond repair, and it may need to be extracted to make room for restorative dentistry.

How Tooth Extraction Works

Before your Barrie dentist removes your tooth, they’ll likely bring sedation dentistry into play to help ensure that you’re comfortable during the procedure. Once you’re relaxed and sedated (either with a local anesthetic or with more extensive anesthesia), your dentist will proceed to loosen the tooth that is being extracted.

This may involve cutting away tissue covering the tooth, after which they will gently rock the tooth back and forth to help loosen it. When it’s ready, your dentist will give a final tug and extract the tooth. You’ll naturally form a blood clot to help with the healing process, and your dentist will close up any gaps with a few stitches.

Care After Your Tooth Extraction

After your tooth extraction, you’ll need to take it easy for a few days to allow your mouth time to heal. Stick to soft, easy-to-eat foods, and avoid spitting or drinking through straws. The reason for this is to leave the protective blood clot in place. If you drink or spit with force or pressure, you risk removing it, which can lead to a condition called a dry socket.

Your dentist will provide you with a list of instructions to follow while you’re recovering at home, so make sure you pay attention to what they recommend!

Safe & Effective Tooth Extraction in Barrie, Ontario

Tooth extraction impacts your entire mouth, not just the single tooth. That’s why we are committed to providing you with a holistic approach to oral health instead of the “fix what’s broken” mode of dentistry. We treat all members of your family with a long-term goal for health in mind, so if you suspect you may benefit from a tooth extraction, we’ll be there with you every step of the way to ensure your oral health.

If you’d like to learn more about tooth extraction or other emergency dental services, call our Barrie office at (705) 721-1143 or get in touch with us online.