After tooth extraction, it’s crucial to follow your dentist’s instructions. For example:
- Avoid smoking or tobacco use for the first day. This can slow healing and dislodge the healing clot.
- Avoid drinking through a straw or spitting. These actions can also dislodge the healing clot, leading to a painful condition called dry socket.
- Take any medication on schedule and rinse as directed by your dentist.
- Eat only soft foods, such as custard, mashed potatoes, and yogurt, for the first few days.
Your dentist may provide more custom aftercare instructions based on your unique case. If you have questions during recovery, always call our dental office for guidance.
Reasons You May Need a Tooth Extraction in Greeley, CO
Dentists recommend tooth replacement for a few reasons, and sometimes patients choose extraction over treatment.
Reasons you may need a tooth extraction include:
- Part of the pretreatment before dentures or other procedures
- After a failed root canal treatment
- Severe tooth damage or trauma
- Problematic wisdom teeth
- Gum disease
If you need a tooth extraction, we use powerful numbing agents to ensure you don’t feel pain. You can also talk to the dentist about nitrous oxide if you’re feeling nervous.
Why Tooth Replacement Is Crucial to Your Dental Health
Tooth replacement is critical to your long-term dental health and general well-being. Of course, some extractions, such as wisdom teeth, don’t require tooth replacement, but if you have gaps in your smile, you might experience tooth migration, bite misalignment, premature tooth wear, and fractures.
A full smile helps protect your oral health, oral function, and general well-being.
Contact Your Dentist in Greeley, CO, Today
If you have a damaged tooth or notice wisdom teeth partially erupting at the back of the mouth, it’s important to schedule a consultation with the dentist. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain and infection.
To learn more or to schedule your consultation with us, call us at (970) 353-5664.