Extractions in Burlingame, CA

After a tooth extraction, it's normal to experience some discomfort and swelling. Here are some common things you may expect during the recovery period:

1. Pain and swelling: You may experience some pain and swelling around the extraction site. Your dentist may prescribe pain medication or recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to manage any discomfort.

2. Bleeding: It's normal to have some bleeding after a tooth extraction. Your dentist will provide you with gauze pads to bite down on to help control the bleeding. If bleeding persists or becomes excessive, contact your dentist.

3. Limited diet: Your dentist may recommend sticking to a soft or liquid diet for the first few days after the extraction. Avoid hot, spicy, or hard foods that can irritate the extraction site.

4. Proper oral hygiene: While you should avoid brushing the extraction site for the first 24 hours, it's important to maintain good oral hygiene. Gently rinse your mouth with warm saltwater after meals to keep the area clean.

5. Follow-up appointments: Your dentist will schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor your healing progress. During this appointment, they may remove any sutures and ensure that the extraction site is healing properly.

If you experience severe pain, excessive bleeding, or any other concerns during your recovery, don't hesitate to contact your dentist.

Remember, every extraction case is unique, and your dentist will provide you with personalized instructions and guidance based on your specific needs.

The extraction process may vary depending on the complexity of the case and the tooth being extracted. Here is a general overview of what you can expect during a tooth extraction:

1. Evaluation and planning: Before the extraction, your dentist will examine your tooth and take X-rays to determine the best approach. They will also discuss the procedure with you, addressing any concerns or questions you may have.

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2. Numbing the area: To ensure your comfort during the extraction, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth. This will prevent you from feeling any pain during the procedure.

3. Tooth removal: Once the area is numb, your dentist will gently loosen the tooth using specialized tools. If the tooth is impacted or requires a more complex extraction, your dentist may need to make a small incision in the gum to access the tooth.

4. Extraction and sutures: With the tooth loosened, your dentist will carefully remove it from its socket. In some cases, they may need to divide the tooth into smaller pieces for easier removal. After the tooth is extracted, your dentist may place sutures to promote healing.

5. Aftercare instructions: Your dentist will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to ensure proper healing. This may include recommendations for pain management, diet restrictions, and oral hygiene practices.

It's important to follow your dentist's instructions and attend any follow-up appointments to monitor your healing progress and address any concerns.

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Tooth extractions may sound intimidating, but they can actually offer several benefits for your oral health. Here are some of the advantages of getting a tooth extraction:

1. Relief from pain: If you have a severely decayed or damaged tooth, it can cause persistent pain and discomfort. By removing the tooth, you can find relief from this pain and prevent further complications.

2. Preventing infection: When a tooth is severely infected or decayed, it can spread bacteria to other teeth and gums. By extracting the affected tooth, you can prevent the infection from spreading and causing more damage.

3. Creating space for orthodontic treatment: In some cases, tooth extractions are necessary to create space for orthodontic treatment, such as braces. By removing overcrowded or misaligned teeth, you can achieve a straighter and healthier smile.

4. Resolving impacted teeth: Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, often become impacted, meaning they don't fully emerge from the gums. Impacted teeth can cause pain, swelling, and even infection. Extracting impacted teeth can alleviate these issues and prevent future complications.

5. Improving overall oral health: By removing a severely damaged or infected tooth, you can improve your overall oral health. This can help prevent further dental issues and maintain the health and integrity of your remaining teeth.

A tooth extraction is necessary when tooth decay has ravaged your tooth/teeth beyond salvation. In such cases, your best move is to extract the decayed teeth to prevent the decay from spreading to the rest of the teeth. Removing the decayed tooth will immediately stop the pain and swelling associated with dental decay.

Tooth extraction is also necessary if you have severe gum disease or periodontitis. That’s because the infection may spread to your jawbone, causing its destruction and widespread tooth loss. You’re better off extracting one tooth and saving the rest.

Cysts on the teeth are another reason for tooth extraction. These cysts grow rapidly and can spread to the surrounding teeth if left untreated. A tooth extraction prevents the cysts from spreading to the neighboring teeth, causing pain and inflammation.

You may need your tooth extracted if you accidentally damage it beyond repair after an accident, physical fight, or fall. Dental fillings, bonding, and crowns cannot repair severe tooth damage. In such cases, your best bet is to extract the remaining portion of the tooth and replace it with an implant or denture.

You may also need a tooth extraction if you have a genetic predisposition for growing extra teeth. Hyperdontia is a rare condition that affects 3.8% of the population that causes the gums to grow extra teeth. The condition not only makes you look awkward but also increases your risk of tooth decay and other complications. 

Tooth extractions are necessary to remove supernumerary teeth to improve your smile and dental health. You may also need extractions to remove impacted teeth, which are teeth that remain embedded in the gum and bone tissue and disrupt the growth and alignment of other teeth. The dentist will make an incision in the gums before removing the impacted teeth.

Yes, you should expect slight pain after a tooth extraction after the anesthetic wears off. Most patients experience a dull throbbing pain in or near the extraction site. The pain is a sign that your aggravated gum tissue is healing and you’re on the right track.

This pain is normal and easy to manage with over-the-counter medication or home remedies like ice packs on the face in 15-minute intervals. Aside from cold packs, you can also use heat therapy by pressing warm washcloths against the affected side of the face. Doing so also reduces the swelling.

The pain should subside within five days, provided you follow your dentist's instructions to the letter. Pain five days after the procedure could indicate a dry socket or bacterial infection. The former occurs when you accidentally dislodge the blood clot formed after extracting your teeth, exposing the bone tissue beneath. Visit the dentist immediately if that’s the case.