Table of contents:
- The reason the tooth has to be pulled out
- Post-tooth extraction effects
- The cause of toothache after tooth extraction
- Post-tooth extraction care, especially for sensitive teeth owners
After removing a tooth, many people find their teeth more sensitive. Some of the things that may arise after removing a tooth include pain, swelling around the extracted tooth, to aching sensation when eating.
If you have sensitive teeth, this will certainly make you even more uncomfortable. For that, know everything about tooth extraction and how to get rid of tooth discomfort after tooth extraction, especially for those with sensitive teeth.
The reason the tooth has to be pulled out
The American Association of Dentists defines tooth extraction as the act of removing a tooth from the bone and gum. Your dentist may recommend that you perform a tooth extraction if any of the following are found:
- The tooth is damaged by caries or trauma, and cannot be repaired through restoration
- Dental infections, and teeth do not respond to dental nerve treatment
- Loose teeth due to damage to the supporting tissues of the teeth, namely gums and bones
- Impacted teeth, which often occur in wisdom teeth
- Hyperdontia or excess teeth
- Persistence teeth
Tooth extraction can also be performed on people who have healthy teeth. However, this usually applies if you are undergoing braces / orthodontics. For example, in the case of overcrowded teeth, it is necessary to make room for the other teeth to be neatly aligned in one good arch of the jaw.
Post-tooth extraction effects
The first thing you may feel after pulling a tooth is discomfort around the tooth. No need to worry because this is normal and the dentist will prescribe medications to relieve or even eliminate the discomfort you feel. Usually, this discomfort occurs after the effects of anesthetics / anesthesia for tooth extraction wear off.
The discomfort may result from the socket where the bone is exposed, either completely or partially, and is diagnosed as dry socket, which can cause persistent sharp pain and sometimes an odor.
Not only that, neighboring teeth that were close to the extraction area were sometimes complained of being painful and sensitive. Pain in adjacent teeth is often felt at night or when there is pressure on the teeth when chewing, clenching the teeth and bruxism.
Discomfort in the neighboring teeth so that they feel more sensitive, causing pain caused by the following things:
- Inflammation of the gum area where the tooth is extracted
- There is a disturbance in the nerves around the extracted tooth
- There is interference with other teeth
- There are disorders of the gums and other dental supporting tissues
- Trauma to the area around the extracted tooth
- Eating stimulating foods, such as too hot or too cold
The cause of toothache after tooth extraction
Not only pain, there may also be pain around the extracted tooth. For example, in the extracted socket and on the neighboring teeth. The pain in neighboring teeth generally occurs due to excessive pressure on the neighboring teeth from the dental instruments used during extraction.
In addition, sometimes the wound on the gums due to extraction causes the roots of the adjacent teeth to open and causes sensitivity to the neighboring teeth.
However, you need to know that the pain in the neighbor's teeth will gradually improve on its own. Meanwhile, the pain in the former socket will disappear within 1 week.
Generally, the soft tissue healing of the extraction area lasts 2 weeks, and will close completely after 4 weeks. For final healing such as bone tissue, it takes a longer time, about 6 months.
Post-tooth extraction care, especially for sensitive teeth owners
After tooth extraction, the dentist will usually prescribe antibiotics, pain and anti-swelling drugs according to your case's needs to help you feel comfortable during the healing process.
Here are the things you should do after tooth extraction:
- Take medication according to the dentist's prescription and instructions.
- Bite on the tampon for 30 minutes - 1 hour. If it is still bleeding, you can repeat biting the tampon for the same duration.
- Apply a cold compress to the cheek area of the extraction site to help stop bleeding.
- Don't spit often.
- Do not play the area with your fingers and tongue.
- Don't drink using a straw.
- Avoid consuming hot food.
- Avoid smoking.
You can also do the following ways to minimize sensitivity after tooth extraction:
- Avoid consuming foods and drinks that are stimulating, such as too hot, cold, sour and crunchy
- Avoid putting too much chewing pressure on neighboring teeth that feel uncomfortable
- Gently brush the teeth around the extraction area using a bristled toothbrush "Soft" or "Extra soft"
- Brush your teeth with sensitive toothpaste containing Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate to protect the mineral layers of other teeth so that they can relieve toothache
- Apply a thin layer of sensitive toothpaste on the surface of the neighboring teeth that feels sore
If you experience unbearable or persistent pain, it's best to see a dentist for further tests. Here are some important signs that you should see a dentist:
- Experiencing bleeding that doesn't stop.
- The pain was unbearable and did not subside after being helped by anti-pain and swelling drugs.
- Symptoms develop dry socket (sharp and persistent pain for 3-4 days after tooth extraction) which is sometimes accompanied by an odor from the extraction site. One of the signs is that the bone is exposed and there is no formation of blood clots in the area where it was extracted.
- Continuous pain after 2 weeks of tooth extraction.
If the things above happen, immediately consult your dentist for further examination and treatment.
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