Very Gentle Tooth Extractions

Visit our brand new, state-of-the-art offices for very gentle tooth extractions. Enjoy an awesome staff and low wait times—we respect your time and treat you with a gentle touch.

Call us for more information:
Virginia Beach: (757) 424-2672
Norfolk: (757) 280-3421

Having your teeth removed can feel intimidating. However, our doctors have years of experience and are committed to providing the gentlest treatment possible.

Tooth Extraction Overview

Gum disease can loosen or severely damage a tooth. Therefore, a tooth may need to be removed if it becomes too damaged to save. A dentist or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon can perform this procedure.

Before removing your tooth, your dentist will give you a local anesthetic to numb the area. In some cases, your dentist may use a stronger general anesthetic, especially if you need multiple teeth removed. As a result, you will not feel pain during the procedure, and you will sleep through it.

After the tooth is removed, your dentist may place stitches. In addition, you will bite down on a cotton gauze pad to help stop bleeding and support clot formation.

Once healing begins, you can replace the missing tooth with a dental implant, denture, or bridge. For example, a bridge replaces one or more missing teeth and may be either permanent or removable.

What To Expect After Surgery

In most cases, recovery lasts only a few days. However, following these steps can help speed up healing and reduce discomfort:

• Take pain medication exactly as prescribed by your dentist or oral surgeon.
• Apply an ice pack to the outside of your mouth for 10–20 minutes at a time. This helps reduce swelling. Always place a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
• After 24 hours, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water several times a day. This helps reduce swelling and relieve pain.
  • To make the solution, mix 1 teaspoon of salt into 8 fl oz (240 mL) of warm water.
  • Do not rinse forcefully, because this can loosen the blood clot and delay healing.
• Change gauze pads regularly, especially before they become soaked with blood.
• Rest as much as possible, because physical activity can increase bleeding.
• Avoid smoking, since it can slow healing and increase complications.
• Eat soft foods such as gelatin, pudding, or soup. Then gradually return to solid foods as your mouth heals.
• Keep your head elevated with pillows while resting. This helps reduce bleeding.
• Avoid touching the extraction site with your tongue.
• Do not use straws or create suction, because this can disturb the healing area.
• Continue brushing your teeth and tongue, but avoid the surgical site.

After the tooth is removed, your dentist may place stitches. Some stitches dissolve on their own, while others must be removed after a few days. Therefore, your dentist will tell you what type of stitches you have and whether they need to be removed.

WebMd