A professional practitioner of general dentistry in Waimanalo sometimes must extract a tooth that has become too decayed or infected to be saved. Unfortunately, there also are times when a patient without dental insurance cannot afford root canal therapy for an infected tooth, leaving extraction as the only suitable option. Patients need to learn how to minimize pain after the procedure, so they do not experience extensive discomfort.
Before a tooth is pulled by a practitioner of General Dentistry in Waimanalo, the dentist typically provides a prescription for antibiotics to be taken for several days beforehand. This prevents problems that could develop when bacteria are released into the mouth and the bloodstream. After the appointment, the dentist will probably send the patient home with a prescription for a short round of painkillers. After the first couple of days, ibuprofen or acetaminophen should suffice. There may be some swelling and minor bleeding during that time, and the dentist will advise the patient to avoid brushing the area.
To keep discomfort minimal and avoid dislodging the healing blood clot in the wound, patients are advised to rest for 24 hours and not to participate in vigorous exercise for a few days. They shouldn’t use a straw since the suction can pull the clot loose. A soft diet is best for 24 to 48 hours, so chewing activity is limited. Soup, mashed potatoes, pudding, and well-cooked pasta are examples of acceptable foods.
The wound should fully heal within two weeks. The individual should have already been thinking about whether to have the tooth replaced with an implant or a bridge. If the tooth was a molar furthest to the back, the person might decide not to replace it. Otherwise, a dentist such as Howard Carrico III, D.D.S. is likely to encourage the patient to choose an implant since the device functions as a natural tooth root. Its presence protects the jawbone from deteriorating in that area. If the missing tooth has caused a gap between two other teeth, those teeth might start shifting into the gap if no implant is fused with the bone. Contact us to learn more or set an appointment.
