Most patients report little to no pain during a tooth extraction. Before pulling a tooth, you will receive  a local anesthetic to numb the area completely. If the tooth is impacted, he may gently remove gum and bone tissue before loosening the tooth for removal.

For a standard extraction, Dr. Brooks and Dr. Black will numb the area, then carefully rock the tooth back and forth to loosen it from the jawbone and ligaments. Impacted or difficult teeth may need to be removed in pieces for safety and comfort.

Once the tooth is removed, a blood clot will form in the socket. Your doctor  will place a gauze pad and have you bite down to stop bleeding. In some cases, he may place self-dissolving stitches to help the gum heal.

Recovery usually takes a few days, with initial healing in about one to two weeks. Following Dr. Brooks’ and Dr. Black’s detailed aftercare instructions will help minimize discomfort, reduce the risk of infection, and speed recovery.

Follow these tips for the best healing: 

Take prescribed pain medication, bite gently on gauze to control bleeding, avoid rinsing or spitting forcefully for 24 hours, skip drinking through a straw, don’t smoke, try eating soft foods, and keep your mouth clean while avoiding the extraction site.

Mild swelling and some bleeding are normal for the first 24 hours. If you experience heavy bleeding or severe pain beyond four hours, contact us at White Oak Dental immediately

Contact Dr. Brooks or Dr. Black right away if you notice signs of infection such as fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, redness, swelling, excessive discharge, shortness of breath, or chest pain.