Tooth Extractions/Post Op Instruction

Sometimes we find that even under the best of circumstances we have to recommend a tooth extraction to better improve your oral health.  After your extraction you should expect a small amount of bleeding for two to four hours.

Be sure in the first 24 hours after your extraction:

Do not  smoke or use tobacco products

Do not  rinse your mouth vigorously

Do not  drink through a straw

Do not  drink carbonated beverages

Do not  spit

Do not  touch the extraction site with your finger or tongue 

Doing any of these activities could dislodge the protective blood clot and delay your recovery!

Do brush and floss your teeth avoiding the teeth adjacent to the extraction

Do rinse your mouth gently with warm water

Do rest and avoid heavy physical activity for 24 hours after extraction

Do use ice packs for swelling - 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off

Dr. Gray would also like to mention a potential complication if you fail to follow the recommendations for your healing process. The complication is called a dry socket. This can occur when the protective blood clot is dislodged from the tooth socket, exposing underlying bone and nerves, which will cause increased pain.  If you find that you have this or any other concerns with your extraction please call our office immediately.  

Do You See Red When You Brush?

If you see blood every time you brush your teeth there is cause for concern.  Bleeding that occurs when you brush or floss usually indicates that you have a bacterial infection.  Bleeding is usually the first sign of periodontal disease.  However there are other signs that you should remember.

• Bleeding gums
• Red or puffy gums
• Pain in the gums
• Constant bad breath
• Tooth sensitivity
• Gums that are pulling away from your teeth
• Teeth that are loose or shifting

If left untreated periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. Research shows that periodontal disease is also linked to diabetes, heart attack, stroke, respiratory disease and premature childbirth.

Early detection is important in the treatment of periodontal disease.  If you have periodontal disease Mikki can treat it with procedures designed to clean under the gum tissue and the upper part of the root surfaces to provide a less inviting area for the bacteria. 

She would then see you on a regular basis to ensure those areas remain clean. If you have any questions please call Mikki and she will be happy to help. 

Save a Tooth!

An accident that happens quite often is a child or occasionally an adult will knock out a tooth. How the tooth is handled right after the accident will largely determine whether it can be saved. To improve the chances of the tooth being saved, the following is suggested.

• Handle the tooth carefully. Avoid touching the root of the tooth (the part of the tooth that was embedded in the gum) because it can be damaged easily.

• If the tooth is dirty, hold it by the upper part (the crown) and rinse it off with milk until most of the dirt is washed away. If you don't have any milk available, then it is best to leave the tooth alone. Wiping it off with a handkerchief or shirttail may cause additional damage.

• It is important to keep the tooth moist. If possible, drop it into a glass of milk. If no milk is available, then place the tooth in the mouth between the cheek and gum.

• A young child who has had a tooth knocked out may not be able to safely "store" the tooth in his or her mouth without swallowing it, so don't give the tooth to a young child for safe-keeping in his or her mouth. Place the tooth in milk or have the child spit into a container and place the tooth in the cup with the saliva. The most important thing is to keep the tooth moist. Use a cup of water if nothing else is available.

• Get to a dentist as quickly as possible. If getting to a dentist immediately after a tooth has been knocked out is impossible, then you may want to try slipping the tooth back into its socket. In many cases, it will slip right in. Make sure it's facing the right way. Don't try to force it into the socket. If it doesn't go back into place easily and without pressure, then it's better just to hold it between the cheek and gum or to keep it in milk, saliva or water.

My Child Has Dental Decay!

Dental decay in children is preventable!  With regular cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants and oral hygiene instructions from your hygienist decay can be drastically decreased  or eliminated  altogether. Regular checkups can catch early decay that can then be treated with little or no discomfort.  It is also very important to supervise/help when they brush and floss. Children do not have the dexterity to thoroughly brush their teeth until around 8 years of age.     Help your child develop good oral hygiene care by supervised brushing and make sure they see their dentist every 6 months.