There are several things to consider with a tooth extraction such as which tooth was removed; was it impacted; was anesthetic required … if you were unable to drive yourself home from your appointment, it is unlikely you would be able to resume your normal work or school day. Your dentist will provide guidance as to how to proceed following a tooth extraction.
Simple Tooth Extraction
If your tooth is completely erupted, and your dentist can remove it with minimal anesthetic, you may be able to return to school or work the same day. Things to consider … can you move through your day with a wad of cotton in your mouth until any bleeding has stopped? Since you may experience some discomfort, will you be able to focus enough to warrant returning? Depending on the time of day of your extraction, your dentist may recommend returning home to rest for the day.
Surgical Tooth Extraction
A tooth that doesn’t fully emerge through the gum tissue is considered impacted. The teeth most likely to be impacted are third molars (wisdom teeth) and maxillary cuspids (eye or canine teeth).
When surgery is required to remove one or more impacted teeth, patients will require a little more time off to recover. While dental surgery is not without risk, this type of tooth extraction is very common. The patient is likely to have been sedated to remove impacted teeth, and will be advised to return home to rest for the balance of the day.
Depending on the number of teeth extracted, and the type of dental surgery involved, the patient may experience swelling and bruising that will dictate how long before resuming normal daily activity. Diet may need to be modified for a few days resorting to soft foods like scrambled eggs, yogurt, pudding, and ice cream shakes … anything soft.
It is important to stay hydrated. You will be advised not to use a straw as this can result in a dry socket, a painful result of the clot being dislodged from the space where your tooth was.
Smokers should refrain from tobacco use as this can interfere with the healing process. If pain medication is given, use as directed to keep discomfort to a minimum.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact the office of Dr. David Kuban today.
