Tooth extraction with your Wheaton dentist

We will attempt to answer some of the most common tooth extraction questions we hear. Some things we can not not answer without seeing you and taking an x-ray of some kind, but we can answer most generic questions reasonably well.

What is the healing time after a tooth extraction?

The healing period following the extraction surgery is typically about one to two weeks and is uneventful provided you follow the following instructions.  The bone takes months to fully heal, but that is not something you will even notice and is only a concern if getting a dental implant in that area.  The following tooth extraction rules for care should be followed for between 3-7 days.

Tooth extractions post operative rules

1. Bleeding: Continue biting on the gauze for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, fold new piece of gauze tightly, place over bleeding area and maintain firm pressure for another 30 minutes. A wet tea bag is an excellent alternative for the gauze.
2. DO NOT rinse your mouth today. Starting tomorrow, gently rinse with a warm saltwater solution 2-3 times daily for the next week. Mix approximately 1 tablespoon of salt with 1 cup warm water. Alternatively, I may give you a bottle of chlorhexidine to use. WARNING: This can stain teeth and tongue brown/black. If happens switch from swish to liberally applying to area with q-tip. May alter taste. Brush your teeth regularly, avoiding the surgical area(s) and especially the gums.
3. Diet: No eating or drinking until numbness subsides. Hot (temperature), spicy, and/or coarse/hard foods are to be avoided for the next week. Popcorn and peanuts are examples to avoid. Eat a soft diet and chew on the opposite side or away from the surgical site as much as possible.
4. NO SMOKING for one week; at least decrease amount or frequency as much as possible.

More rules after a tooth extraction

1. Do not overexert yourself for the next 24 hours. REST!
2. For the next week. DO NOT spit or drink from a straw. DO NOT “suck” on the wound site or candy. Limit mouth openly, in other words don’t open too wide. Any of these can disturb the blood clot in the surgical site and result in a “dry socket”.
3. For upper back teeth that are extracted. DO NOT play any wind instrument. DO NOT blow your nose or sneeze through your nose. If the urge to sneeze arises, sneeze with your mouth open.
4. If there is swelling, we recommend a cold pack on outside of face near surgery site for next several hours. 15 minutes on & 15 minutes off to prevent over freezing a numb area.
5. For bone grafts or dental implants avoid excessive forces or chewing in that area.

Cost of tooth extraction

Our fees closely correlate to those found on fairconsumerhealth.org a consumer advocate site that gives fees for all medical and dental services by zip code.

Tooth extraction and bone graft

If you are getting a dental implant at the same time as the extraction then a bone graft will often be done with the implant. Many times it is more predictable to place a bone graft at the time of the tooth extraction and let that heal before placing an implant. This is a very individualized treatment and must be spoke about in person with your doctor.

How much pain does a tooth extraction cause?

Every tooth extraction will require you to be numb, so you will not feel pain during the procedure. You will feel pressure, but no pain. We tell our patients that it will feel like someone is pushing on you. As far as pain after the procedure, that depends on how much pain you have before the tooth extraction and how complicated the extraction was. If we did not to cut any tissue then your pain should be gone in about three days. Pain that is intense enough to require more than just Advil or Tylenol is usually over after the first night. Most patients only take Advil or Tylenol and no prescription pain medication. Most patients quit that within a day or two. We have two pain regimen recommendations depending on the severity of the tooth extraction

1. Take Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen) as directed for pain. If the pain is too intense call the office and we will phone in a prescription to the nearest pharmacy.
2. Take prescription pain mediation as directed, which is usually one or two pills every 4-6 hours. We always recommend people can try to control the pain with medications listed above before using the prescription medication. To avoid nausea take prescription pain medication with a glass of milk or food.

Medications to take after your tooth extraction that will help

We have an entire post on tooth pain after a dental procedure and what to take. The medication regimen is very safe and very effective. One of the keys is to get the anti-inflammatory medication into system early on in the process. So the sooner the better! you can check out our recommendations here.

Pain after your tooth extraction

This is normal for the first few days but should start feeling better everyday. If pain is increasing or severe, a dry socket may be developing. The biggest risk factors for dry sockets is poor healers, use of birth control, smoking, and a traumatic surgery.

Bleeding from a tooth extraction

You will definitely have bleeding both during and after a tooth extraction. Most bleeding for most people will be over before leaving the office. We have patients bite on sterile gauze to help control bleeding via pressure. You will do this for about 30 minutes after your extraction. If bleeding continues, we have one take a piece of the sterile gauze we provide and place that over the bleeding area and maintain firm pressure for another 30 minutes. Tea has natural coagulant in it called tannin and we proved patients with a green tea bag to be put over the extraction site in case of further bleeding. Place the tea bag directly where the tooth was and place the gauze over that and then bite down for 30 minutes to control bleeding.

Stitch with tooth extraction

We rarely need to make an incision with our extractions, thus we rarely place a suture. If we do place a suture it may be the type that dissolve on their own or it could be the type that we have you come back to remove. Sutures that dissolve on their own take between 3 and 21 days depending on the type we use.

Do you need an antibiotic with your tooth extraction?

Most likely the answer is no, even if there is an infection. Teeth infections are often very localized and removal of the problem tooth eliminates the infection as well. If you have swelling in the area then we may give you an antibiotic. It is important to remember that antibiotics have side effects. They also may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills.

Emergency problems after a tooth is removal?

Please call with any questions and call immediately if you have prolonged bleeding or any side effects from the prescribed medications. Call if you experience increase in pain that starts 2-3 days after extraction. Office Number 630-665-5550 Dr. Bauer emergency number 630-534-0890

Dr. Bauer is a licensed general dentist and is not a licensed specialist in oral surgery.