Smoking is never good for your physical and oral health. However, it can be especially damaging following surgery or tooth extraction.
Let’s explore why your Bonita Springs dentist might recommend extraction and why following the aftercare instructions is essential, including not smoking for the first day or two following your procedure.
Reasons Your Dentist Recommends Tooth Extraction
Damage or Severe Decay
An injury to the tooth, including trauma, can mean extraction if your dentist cannot treat and save the tooth with a dental crown.
Severe Periodontitis
Advanced periodontal disease causes recession and gum pocketing. If this happens, your dentist may have to extract a tooth that is mobile and no longer anchored in the jawbone.
Wisdom or Impacted Teeth
Wisdom teeth, or those that fail to erupt correctly, can lead to oral health complications and pain. In these cases, your dentist may talk to you about extraction.
As a Pretreatment
Extraction may be necessary for an overcrowded jaw, especially if you’re considering orthodontics. It may also be required before complete dentures or other tooth replacements.
Smoking and Tooth Extraction
Smoking after a tooth extraction can impact blood flow to the extraction site. This slows down healing. Additionally, smoking can dislodge healing clots, leading to a painful condition called dry socket—this can also happen if you drink through a straw. Finally, smoking dries the mouth, which inhibits saliva flow. This can also interfere with prompt healing.
After tooth extraction, following your dentist’s aftercare instructions is essential. You can call our dental office if anything is unclear or if you have questions.
Aftercare instructions aim to provide you with a prompt and relatively painless recovery.
Tooth Extractions in Bonita Springs, FL
To learn more about our treatments and services or to schedule an appointment with the dentist, contact a friendly team member at Bonita Dental today.