Unfortunately sometimes a tooth is so damaged that the only option that remains is to extract it. This most often is a simple procedure and can completed under total local anaesthesia (numbness). Dr. Logue is experienced in minor oral surgery however, if a more complicated approach is required, he will be able to arrange referral to an excellent local specialist surgeon. If you should need an extraction, below is some information for the process of extraction and instructions for your home care afterwards. 

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Anaesthetic

Once the tooth is completely numbed, it is loosened gently and extracted. You may feel some pressure and hear some noises but there will be no pain. Your mouth will remain numb for a few hours after the extraction. While your mouth is numb, you'll have to be careful to not bite your cheek, lip or tongue. The numbness will resolve after a couple of hours. 

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Bleeding

Following the extraction, a gauze pack will be placed to form a blood clot. This gauze pack should be left in place for 30-45 minutes after you leave our office. There may be some bleeding or oozing after the pack is removed. If so, here's what to do:

• Fold a piece of clean gauze into a thick pad, place it over the socket and bite down to get some pressure over the extraction site. 

• Maintain this pressure for about 30 minutes. 

• Do not suck on the extraction site and try not to disturb it with your tongue. 

• A slight amount of blood may leak from the extraction site until a clot forms. However, if heavy bleeding continues, call our clinic. (Remember though, a little bit of blood mixed with saliva can look like a lot of bleeding).

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Be Careful Not to Disturb

The blood clot that forms in the tooth socket is an important part of the normal healing process. You should avoid doing things that might disturb the clot. Here's how to protect it:

• Do NOT smoke, or rinse your mouth vigorously, or drink through a straw for 24 hours. These activities create suction in the mouth, which could loosen the clot and delay healing. 

• Avoid alcoholic beverages and mouthwash containing alcohol for 24 hours. 

• Limit strenuous activity for 24 hours after the extraction. This will reduce bleeding and help the blood clot to form. 

• Sometimes the blood clot does not form in the first day or two after the extraction, it forms but breaks down for some reason. This is called a dry socket and can be painful. If this occurs give us a call so that a dressing can be place to reduce the pain and protect the socket until it heals. A dry socket will heal on its own but no need to put up with it. 

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Cleaning Your Mouth

Do not clean the teeth next to the healing tooth socket for the rest of the day. You should, however, brush and floss your other teeth well and begin cleaning next to the healing socket the next day. You can also brush your tongue. This will help get rid of the bad breath and unpleasant taste that are common after an extraction. 

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The day after the extraction, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water after meals to keep food particles out of the extraction site. Try not to rinse vigorously, as this may loosen the blood clot. 

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Medication

Most often over the counter pain medications are all that is required following an extraction. However, if Dr. Logue has prescribed medicine to control pain and inflammation, or to prevent infection, use it only as directed. If the pain medication prescribed does not seem to work for you, do not take more pills or take them more often than directed- Call our clinic. 

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Swelling and Pain

After a tooth is removed, you may have some discomfort and notice some swelling. This is normal. To help reduce the swelling, try applying a cold compress (an ice pack over a tea towel or cold moist cloth) to your face.

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Eating and Drinking

After the extraction, drink lots of fluids and eat soft nutritious foods. Avoid hot liquids and alcoholic beverages. Do not use a straw. Begin eating solid foods the next day or as soon as you can chew comfortably. For the first few days, try to chew food on the opposite side to the extraction site. 

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When to Call the Clinic

If you have any of the following issues, call our clinic immediately. If you cannot reach your clinic for whatever reason, go to the hospital emergency room. 

• fever, nausea or vomiting

• ongoing or severe pain or swelling (especially if you notice swelling spreading or you are starting to have difficulty breathing)

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If you do have to have an extraction, it is almost always best to have the tooth replaced. Options for replacement include a denture, bridge or implant. If you would like to explore these options further; give our clinic a call.