Tooth Extraction in Esher and Wandsworth

There are a wide range of reasons why extractions are performed, excessive tooth infection, tooth decay and crowding can all require an extraction. The most common reason for removal is that teeth have become unrestorable through severe tooth decay, dental trauma, severe infection or periodontal disease.

Tooth removal may be necessary if a tooth is so severely damaged or broken that it cannot be repaired with any other treatment or dental restoration such as a root canal or a crown. Additionally, impacted teeth may also need to be extracted from time to time because they cannot erupt properly. This is usually the case for wisdom teeth. 

Extraction may be necessary for the following instances: 

• Irreparable tooth damage (usually due to infection or severe decay)
• A solution to periodontal disease
• Extraction may help an impacted tooth
• Eliminate overcrowding issues
• Necessary after incident / accident 

Preparing for a tooth extraction can help ease the process and ensure a smooth recovery. Here are some essential tips to help you prepare for your tooth extraction:

1. Consult with our dentist – Before undergoing a tooth extraction, it is important to consult with our dentist to understand the procedure, the risks, and potential complications. This will help you become mentally and physically prepared for the procedure.
2. Follow our dentist’s instructions – Our dentist will provide you with pre-operative instructions to follow before the tooth extraction surgery. These instructions may include fasting for a certain period, avoiding smoking, and taking certain medications.
3. Arrange for a ride home – Most patients can leave the dental office immediately after the procedure, but it’s important to arrange for someone to drive you home, as you may be under the influence of anaesthesia or sedation.
4. Prepare for the recovery period – After the extraction, you may experience some pain, swelling, and bleeding. Our dentist may prescribe pain medication to help alleviate the discomfort. In addition, you may need to adjust your diet, and avoid certain foods and drinks, such as hot liquids, hard foods, and alcohol.

By following these tips, you can prepare yourself mentally and physically for the tooth extraction procedure, and ensure a smooth recovery.

Tooth extraction is a relatively quick outpatient procedure that is done throughout one visit. It is usually performed by a dentist or oral surgeon with either local or general anesthesia. 

Here is a step-by-step guide to the tooth extraction process:

1. First, the dentist will numb the area surrounding the tooth with a local anaesthetic. This will ensure that you don’t feel any pain during the procedure.
2. The dentist will then use a specialised tool to loosen the tooth from its socket. This may involve rocking the tooth back and forth to break the ligaments that hold it in place.
3. Once the tooth is loose enough, the dentist will use forceps to remove it from the socket. You may feel some pressure as the tooth is being removed, but you should not feel any pain.
4. If the tooth is impacted or difficult to remove, the dentist may need to make a small incision in the gum tissue to access the tooth. This is a common procedure for wisdom teeth extraction.
5. After the tooth is removed, the dentist will clean the area and may place a gauze pad over the socket to stop any bleeding.
6. The dentist will give you post-operative instructions to follow, such as taking pain medication, applying ice to the affected area, and avoiding certain foods.

Remember, the tooth extraction process is a routine procedure and is generally safe and effective. If you have any concerns or questions about the procedure, be sure to talk to our dentist before the appointment.

Your tooth extraction will either be simple or surgical, depending on whether your tooth is visible or impacted. 

Simple extraction: During a simple extraction you will receive a local anesthetic which will numb the entire area around your tooth so the only thing you will feel is pressure while the tooth is being extracted, not any pain during the procedure. Your dentist will use an instrument to loosen the tooth and then use forceps to remove it. 

Surgical extraction: You will likely receive both local and intravenous anesthesia which will make you both numb and relaxed. You may also receive general anesthesia depending on any medical conditions you may have. With general anesthesia, you will remain unconscious during the entire procedure. After the surgeon has administered your anesthetic, they will cut a small incision in your gum and then proceed to remove the tooth. Sometimes they may also need to remove the bone around your tooth or cut your tooth before it is extracted.

After the tooth has been removed, our dentist will place a gauze pad over the socket and ask you to bite down to help stop the bleeding. Depending on the severity of the extraction, the dentist may also stitch the gum to promote faster healing.

It’s normal to experience some discomfort and swelling after the procedure, but our dentist will provide you with detailed instructions on how to manage these symptoms. You may be advised to avoid solid foods for a few days and stick to a soft diet to prevent further irritation to the extraction site.

In most cases, the healing process after a tooth extraction takes a few days to a couple of weeks. It’s important to follow our dentist’s instructions carefully to ensure a smooth and speedy recovery. If you experience any severe pain, bleeding, or other complications, be sure to contact our dentist immediately.

There are many different signs that you may experience that can hint that you may need your tooth extracted. It is very important that you keep up with your regular dental appointments so your dentist can assess your teeth and you will know if anything alarming is happening before any further damage occurs. 

Here are a few signs that may mean that a tooth extraction is necessary:

• Severe tooth pain
• Jaw stiffness or pain
• History of gum disease or present gum disease
• Swollen gums surrounding only specific teeth
• Pain while biting or chewing 

If one of your teeth is causing you discomfort, book an appointment with one of our practices in  Wandsworth, South West London or Esher, Surrey to have the tooth saved or removed.

Getting a tooth pulled can hurt however, you will be given a form of anaesthetic during the procedure which should eliminate any pain. The only thing that you will feel is a bit of pressure during the time that the actual tooth is being removed. This will only be some pressure, you will not feel any pain. 

You may experience some pain after the procedure has been complete, usually dentists recommend over the counter pain medication to help manage with any pain. Your mouth and jaw may feel a bit weird for a couple days until you adjust to the missing tooth. 

If you do feel any persistent pain after the procedure, be sure to book an emergency appointment in Esher or Wandsworth with your dentist.

You will stop bleeding almost immediately which will make you think that you can go back to work the next day but that isn’t always a good idea. You should avoid any vigorous exercise or stress for a few days after surgery. However, most patients do not require any time off work after an extraction. 

The first few hours after your extractions are very important for your blood clot to form. It will be very fragile which means it can easily be dislodged within the first couple days after extraction, which could prompt infection. Even if your blood clot has formed, you may still have blood seepage and having to dab out blood out of your mouth repeatedly is not particularly pleasant for you. 

Taking an extra day off after your procedure will make the healing process a bit easier for you so you can take some time for yourself to recover. Additionally, it may be worth scheduling your extraction for a Friday afternoon so you have the whole weekend to recover.

While tooth extraction is generally a safe and routine procedure, there are certain potential complications and risks that patients should be aware of before undergoing the procedure.

One of the most common complications is dry socket, which occurs when the blood clot that forms in the extraction site becomes dislodged or dissolves, leaving the underlying bone and nerves exposed. This can cause intense pain and discomfort and may require additional treatment to heal.

Other potential complications include infection, bleeding, damage to surrounding teeth, and nerve damage that can cause tingling, numbness, or even paralysis in the face or tongue.

Patients who smoke, have certain medical conditions, or take certain medications may be at increased risk for complications and should inform our dentist or oral surgeon before the procedure.

To minimise the risk of complications, it is important to follow all pre- and post-operative instructions provided by our dentist or oral surgeon, including taking any prescribed medications as directed, avoiding certain foods and activities, and attending all follow-up appointments. If you experience any unusual symptoms or complications, be sure to contact our dentist or oral surgeon immediately for further evaluation and treatment.

Here are a few risks that you should look out for:

• Bleeding that lasts longer than 12 hours
• Sever fever (signalling infection)
• Dislodged clot
• Persistent cough
• Vomiting
• Chest pain
• Swelling around the surgical state 

It is very important that you contact your dentist if you experience any of these symptoms after your extraction. 

To learn more about the pros and cons of having a tooth removed, book an appointment with our Wandsworth dentists or our Esher dentists 

Tooth extractions don’t usually have a long healing time. It normally takes a few days to recover after a tooth extraction. The bleeding should stop within a few hours after. The following steps should help ensure that your recovery goes as smoothly as possible. 

1. Bite down on gauze: Bite down gently on the gauze pad placed by our dentist to help stop any bleeding and promote blood clotting. Change the gauze every 30-45 minutes or as needed.
2. Apply ice: Apply ice to the affected area. This will help reduce swelling and discomfort. You can apply the ice for 15-20 minutes at a time, with breaks of at least 10 minutes in between.
3. Rest: Avoid any strenuous activity and take rest. This will help the healing process and prevent any complications.
4. Drink water but don’t rinse: Avoid rinsing or spitting for the first 24 hours after the procedure. This can dislodge the blood clot and delay the healing process. 24 hours after the extraction, do a salt water rinse. It would be a good idea to refrain from drinking any other fluids other than water. No soft drinks or alcohol for a few days after your procedure.
5. Avoid smoking: Refrain from smoking or using any tobacco products for at least 24 hours after the procedure.
6. Eat soft foods: Stick to soft foods like soup, yoghurt, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs for the first few days after the procedure. Avoid hot, spicy, acidic, or crunchy foods that can irritate the area and use a straw for the first 24 hours when drinking.
7. Brush gently: Brush your teeth gently, avoiding the area of the extraction. This will help keep your mouth clean and prevent any infection.

Rest: It is important that you relax and rest for at least the first 24 hours. Even though you can, do not jump immediately into your routine the following day.

If you do experience any persistent pain that will not go away several days after extraction, make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible.  

It is very important to make sure that you do not smoke after your tooth extraction. This is because cigarette smoke contains chemical toxins that can delay the healing process and potentially hinder it and create an infection. It can be dangerous to both your gum and mouth tissues. 

If you smoke, you are exposing your healing gums to these toxins and it can result in serious complications including dry socket, infection and severe inflammation. 

To learn more about how smoking can damage your oral healthy, contact us today.

There are a few dental treatments available for when you have a gap in your teeth. After you have a tooth extracted it can prompt your other teeth to move slightly and change the alignment of your teeth which is why it may be a good idea to discuss your options of filling the gap after you have your tooth extracted. 

Your options are to use a dental bridge, dentures, veneers, implants or crowns. There are a variety of options that you can consider. 

Book an appointment with us today to discuss which option will be best for you. 

There are signs that you may have an infection. These signs include a high temperature, yellow or white discharge from the extraction site, persistent pain, swelling and bleeding. 

Having any sort of persistent pain after the extraction is a sign that you may have a complication with your extraction. If you are experiencing any signs that you may have an infection at the extraction site, contact your dentist and book an appointment as soon as you can. 

• Tooth extraction can prevent the spread of tooth decay and infection
• Can help overcrowding issues
• Removes dead and dying teeth

• Post surgical risks
• Improper teeth alignment
• Dry socket
• Bite collapse
• Nerve injury 
• Will leave a gap if the tooth is not replaced

As a precaution for the best and quickest recovery period. For the first 24 to 48 hours, eat only liquids and soft foods. This involves foods such as yogurt and ice cream. 

When you have any dental pain or procedures it’s common that a lot of people dine on ice cream while they recover because cold foods may help with some of the discomfort you may be experiencing. As you start to feel better and your mouth begins to feel like normal again after the extraction, you can try to slowly begin incorporating more solid foods back into your diet.