Many people can experience numbness or tingling in the face or jaw after their wisdom teeth are removed. Normal sensation usually returns within a few days. In rare cases, nerve damage may result. If you experience numbness or tingling longer than a few days, consult your dentist.
Tooth Extraction
Tooth Extraction
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3 AnswersA
American Dental Association answeredSee All 3 AnswersAfter the extraction, your dentist will advise you of what post extraction regimen to follow. Ask your dentist about pain medication. You can brush and floss the other teeth as usual. But don't clean the teeth next to the tooth socket.
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3 AnswersA
American Dental Association answeredSee All 3 AnswersFollowing a tooth extraction, your dentist will advise you of what post extraction regimen to follow, in most cases a small amount of bleeding is normal. Avoid anything that might prevent normal healing. It is usually best not to smoke or rinse your mouth vigorously, or drink through a straw for 24 hours. These activities could dislodge the clot and delay healing. For the first few days, if you must rinse, rinse your mouth gently, and for pain or swelling, apply a cold cloth or an ice bag. Ask your dentist about pain medication. You can brush and floss the other teeth as usual. But don't clean the teeth next to the tooth socket. If the pain or swelling persists or you don't think you are healing, be sure to contact your dentist for a follow-up visit.
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American Dental Association answeredSee All 2 AnswersAn extraction means to have a tooth removed, usually because of disease, trauma or crowding. If you are scheduled for an extraction, wear comfortable clothes to your appointment and take your normal medications, unless your dentist has advised you not to do so. Ask the dentist before your appointment if you can eat before coming to the office. The type of sedation will determine this answer. Depending on the anesthesia technique, you might want to bring someone with you to help you get home.
You can also talk to your dentist about what to expect. Here are some questions you may want to ask:- Can I go back to work or school right away?
- Will there be restrictions on activity?
- What kind of a diet can I eat after the extraction?
- Should I expect to feel pain after the anesthetic wears off?
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1 AnswerA
American Dental Association answeredAfter a tooth extraction, your dentist may place a gauze pack on the extraction site to limit bleeding and confine the blood while clotting takes place. This gauze pack should be left in place for 30 to 45 minutes after you leave the dentist's office. Do not chew on the pack. There may be some bleeding or oozing after the pack is removed. If so, follow this procedure:
- Fold a piece of clean gauze into a pad thick enough to bite on. Dampen the pad with clean, warm water and place it directly on the extraction site.
- Apply moderate pressure by closing the teeth firmly over the pad. Maintain this pressure for about 30 minutes. If the pad becomes soaked with blood, replace it with a clean one as necessary.
- Do not suck on the extraction site or 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 your dentist. (Remember, though, that a little bit of blood mixed with a lot of saliva can look like a lot of bleeding.)
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RealAge answeredYou can try to avoid some of the complications of tooth removal and extraction, but unfortunately, some of them are out of your control. For example, avoiding nerve damage, bone damage, and damage to the sinuses above your jaw is always a potential complication. However, you can have a hand in avoiding both dry socket and infection. To avoid dry socket, you should take it easy. After your surgery, you should be very careful when eating or brushing your teeth -- both of these activities could easily dislodge the healing of your wound and cause dry socket. You should also not spit, touch the site of the extraction, drink carbonated beverages, or use a straw to drink liquids for at least a few days after your surgery. For infection, the best method of prevention is keeping the wound clean. -
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American Dental Association answeredSee All 2 AnswersIt is important to adhere to follow up care as recommended by your dentist, both for your health benefit and comfort.
Some complications can include:- increased bleeding or slow clotting of the extraction site
- swelling
- redness
- discomfort or pain
- difficulty chewing
- dry socket
- infection
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2 AnswersA
American Dental Association answeredSee All 2 AnswersAn extraction means to have a tooth removed, usually because of disease, trauma or crowding. During a simple extraction, your dentist will numb the area surrounding the tooth and then gently loosen the tooth so that it can be easily removed. In cases where the tooth is under the skin, the tooth will need to be surgically removed. To do this, your dentist or oral surgeon will cut into the gum to get to the tooth. Although this sounds scary, extractions are a very routine part of dentistry. When you have an extraction, it's natural that changes will occur in your mouth afterward. Your dentist may give you instructions to follow after the extraction, and it's important that you talk to your dentist if you have any questions or problems.
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American Dental Association answeredSee All 2 AnswersWisdom teeth that are healthy and properly positioned can be an asset. Because wisdom teeth are located far back in the mouth, they are often not needed for chewing and can be difficult to brush and floss. Even if you have no symptoms, your dentist may recommend the removal of your wisdom teeth because waiting until you are older can increase the risk of problems.
Removing wisdom teeth may prevent:- infection caused by a partially-erupted wisdom tooth through the gum and creating an opening where bacteria may enter. Pain, swelling and jaw stiffness may result.
- damage or crowding of adjacent teeth caused by a wisdom tooth without enough room in the jaw or one that's poorly aligned.
- a fluid-filled cyst or tumor forming on or near an impacted tooth, destroying surrounding bone or tooth roots.
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American Dental Association answeredSee All 3 AnswersIf it is necessary to have visible teeth removed, there are many options that will still allow you to have a nice looking smile.
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of teeth. They are an option for correcting stained, chipped, decayed or crooked teeth.
A crown can make your tooth stronger and improve its appearance. A crown can help strengthen a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining to hold the filling.
Sometimes called a fixed partial denture, a bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth and literally “bridges” the gap where one or more teeth used to be.
Dentures are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth and help restore your smile. There are several different types, depending upon the number of teeth remaining.
See you dentist to determine what options may be best for you.