Oral Surgery Services

Count on Us to Make Your Tooth Extractions Easy

Sometimes, teeth need to be removed due to decay, disease, or trauma. Having a tooth removed or “pulled” is called a tooth extraction.

At Birch Street Dental Care, our top priority is to help, restore, save, and repair your natural teeth. However, at times, a tooth extraction is unavoidable, and when it is so, you can count on us to make your tooth extraction less intense in terms of pain and anxiety. Give us a call today to set up your tooth extraction appointment. We offer everything that the other practices in town don't.

The Extraction Process

Your dentist will first administer an anesthetic to numb the area and reduce discomfort. During the extraction, you will feel the pressure of the tooth being removed, but will not feel any pain. The anesthetic will numb your nerves and will not allow any pain to be experienced. The entire extraction should be over in a matter of minutes.

It is normal to experience a small amount of bleeding following your extraction. We will send you home with a patch of gauze placed in the affected area, as well as at-home instructions for follow-up care. Minimal bleeding may occur for the next 24 hours or so.

Pain medication may be prescribed by your dentist; use as directed. Call our office if the medication does not seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if the signs and symptoms of infection are gone. After the extraction, it is important to drink lots of fluids and eat nutritious, soft foods. You will be able to eat normally as soon as you feel comfortable.

What Not To Do After an Extraction

• Rinse vigorously
  
• Suck on straws
  
• Smoke
  
• Drink alcohol
  
• Brush teeth roughly next to the extraction site

These activities may dislodge or dissolve the clot and prevent the area from healing properly. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours, as this increases blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.