How Gum Disease Could Lead to Tooth Extraction
When you have gum disease, there are bacteria on your teeth that could damage the supporting bone that holds them in place. If the damage becomes irreversible, tooth extraction may need to be performed. Tooth extraction refers to the removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone.
Tooth extraction can involve a single tooth, multiple teeth, fragments of teeth, or an entire set of teeth. In the past, people waited until their teeth completely deteriorated before extracting them, but today, patients are advised to have their teeth extracted while there is supporting bone intact to allow for the placement of dental implants at a later date. Delaying tooth extraction is also risky because if the damaged tooth isn’t removed, the bacteria could spread and lead to further tooth loss. There is also emerging evidence that the same bacteria cause the body to release inflammatory mediators that have a wide range of effects and play a role in stroke, heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.
Non-Surgical vs. Surgical Tooth Extraction for Gum Disease
Teeth can be extracted both surgically and non-surgically. Typically, dentists, periodontists and oral surgeons extract teeth. Simple, non-surgical extractions are performed when the teeth can be seen in the mouth. During a non-surgical extraction, forceps are used to grab the tooth, loosen it, and remove it. Surgical extractions are performed when the teeth cannot be seen in the mouth. During a surgical extraction, your periodontist has to cut and pull back the gums to reach the tooth.
What to Expect
After taking your medical and dental history, your periodontist will obtain a radiograph (Xray) to determine how to extract the teeth in the most appropriate way. Local anesthesia will be used to numb the area where the tooth will be extracted. For surgical procedures, especially when several teeth have to be removed at once, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), light sedation or general anesthesia may be used. The periodontist will take care to extract the tooth gently so as not to damage the supporting bone to keep the option of a dental implant replacement open.
Recovering from Surgery
It takes a few days to recover from a tooth extraction procedure. After the tooth is removed, a blood clot forms in the tooth socket and protects the bone. Your periodontist may use stitches and then place a wound dressing over the wound in order to stop the bleeding. At home, you’ll be required to change the wound dressing pads if they become soaked in blood. When 24 hours have passed since your surgery, you can rinse your mouth out with salt water to reduce swelling.
After a surgical tooth extraction procedure, avoid strenuous activity. When you lie down, do so with your head propped up on pillows to avoid prolonging the bleeding. Eat soft foods, such as pudding, gelatin, and light soup. Don’t start eating solids until the area has healed for a couple of weeks. You can use a damp tea bag to help stop any bleeding that isn't controlled with the wound dressing and pressure. To reduce pain and swelling, apply an ice pack to the outside of your mouth in the area where the tooth or teeth were removed.
Looking for a Woodinville Periodontist?
Woodinville periodontist Dr. Terry L. LaBell has been practicing in the Woodinville/Bothell area since 1995. For more information about tooth extraction and other periodontal procedures that Dr. LaBell performs,
please call 425.402.1246 or fill out
our online contact form.
Added on 09/12/2011
Filed Under
Dental Tips,
Healthy Teeth,
Periodontics,
Preventative Care by LATEST NEWS from Dr. LaBell
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