At Rosedale Dental Studio, our dentist, Dr. Nicole Chen, and our team believe in doing everything possible to help you keep your natural smile. Unfortunately, there may be times when the best thing we can do for your oral health is see you for a tooth extraction in Bakersfield, California. If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call our office at 661-501-4746 today.
Do I Need an Extraction?
You may need to have a tooth removed if it is so decayed or damaged that it cannot be salvaged with a filling or a dental crown. A severely infected tooth that cannot be saved with a root canal treatment may require an extraction. We may also suggest this treatment if a tooth is erupting improperly and could result in alignment problems or a condition known as tooth crowding.
The Extraction Process
For a simple extraction, we will first administer a local anesthetic. Once that has taken effect, Dr. Nicole Chen will loosen the tooth with a tool called an elevator. When the tooth is sufficiently loose, we will complete the extraction with forceps. We may close the area with sutures or simply use gauze to control any bleeding. We will want to schedule you for a follow-up visit to make sure that the extraction site is healing properly and discuss your restoration options.
Your Recovery
Following your visit, you can use an over-the-counter pain reliever if you are feeling any discomfort. If you are experiencing swelling, you can apply ice packs in 20-minute intervals. You should stick to soft, cool foods for the next 48 hours and avoid brushing the area for the first 24 hours after your visit. You should gently rinse the area with a mixture of salt and warm water. Avoid smoking, using straws and even spitting. Tobacco use can slow the healing process, and using straws, spitting or inhaling through your mouth can increase your risk of dry socket.