Oral Surgery in Summit NJ is sometimes necessary for tooth extractions. Wisdom teeth, for instance, may require removal by an oral surgeon if they are impacted and cannot grow in. Teeth with unusual root issues also may need to be cut out instead of pulled. A tooth that has cracked usually cannot be extracted with a simple technique because it is likely to break.
Oral Surgeons
Since oral surgeons are specialists, they typically have substantially more experience with tooth extractions than general dentists do. A practitioner with a center such as Westfield Oral Surgery can manage complex extractions and may use general anesthesia, so the patient is not awake during the procedure.
Patients usually are referred to an oral surgeon by their general dentist. To speed recovery and prevent complications, the patient should follow all directions from the dentist and oral surgeon regarding aftercare.
Brushing and Rinsing
After Oral Surgery in Summit NJ, the patient may have to avoid brushing teeth for 12 to 24 hours. When brushing after this time, the brush should not create any friction against the area where the extraction was done. Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water as directed will help the gum tissue heal and reduce inflammation. A small amount of bleeding and swelling is normal, but if the situation worsens or continues, the patient should contact the general dentist.
A Soft Diet and Liquids
A soft diet along with plenty of liquids is advisable for the first day or two. That means eating foods that don’t need to be chewed, such as pudding, broth, mashed potatoes, and yogurt. Liquids should not be consumed with a straw for the time frame recommended because suction can disrupt the healing process.
Managing Pain
Pain should not be too serious after the first couple of days. The surgeon may prescribe a short course of pain relief medication that can be picked up at a local pharmacy and used as needed. The only time pain tends to become worse is if the blood clot in the socket comes out, which allows air to reach the nerves. This is the main reason suction in the mouth is to be avoided.
