So, you’ve been experiencing pain in your mouth from an infection in a tooth and you may be wondering if it can be ignored or if you need to see a dentist.
Why You Should Never Put Off Good Oral Health
Postponing good oral health can lead to emergency dentistry and result in things such as bone loss, shifting of your teeth, improper bite, exposed roots which can lead to sensitivity, periodontal disease, and gaps in your smile.
What Happens If You Put Off a Dental Extraction
Infections typically occur because of bacteria and they are of primary concern. Conditions such as a deep cavity, periodontal disease, or diseased pulp in a tooth can cause an infection. And as with all infections, they can spread to your other teeth or even throughout the rest of your body if l eft untreated.
Pain is Something You Shouldn’t Have to Live With
Nobody likes pain, and since tooth pain is extremely uncomfortable, why choose to live with it? When your dentist recommends a tooth extraction it’s because the tooth is beyond repair and can’t be saved by other means such as a crown. When you delay your tooth extraction, you’re taking a risk that the delay may result in infection moving into the tooth’s nerve or the rest of your body.
Understanding the Extraction Process
Some people put off dental care because they don’t understand the process. When a tooth is extracted, the dentist will numb your tooth, jaw bone and gums that surround the area with a local anesthetic so you shouldn’t feel pain. You will feel pressure as the dentist is performing the extraction, but since your nerves have been numbed you shouldn’t feel any associated pain from the procedure.
What to Expect Afterwards
After the tooth has been extracted and the numbness starts to wear off you may experience some discomfort and swelling. Use of an ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will help keep swelling to a minimum. Your dentist may also prescribe pain medication or suggest over-the-counter treatment such as ibuprofen. Swelling usually subsides quickly, and you can resume normal activity, including eating, as soon as you feel comfortable.
