Tooth Extraction Recovery Tips

tooth extraction Colorado Springs dentist

Tooth Extraction Recovery Tips

Having a tooth extracted can seem like a scary experience. In reality, most emergency dentists aim to prevent tooth extractions. As your trusted dentist, keeping your natural teeth for as long as possible is always one of the top priorities. However, there are times when it obviously cannot be prevented. When a tooth extraction must be extracted as a last resort, you’ll need to find a dentist that will make sure you are comfortable before and after tooth extraction. Dr. Boals and Dr. Johnson discuss tooth extraction recovery tips below.

Why Do I Need to Get a Tooth Pulled?

As previously mentioned, your Colorado Springs dentist can only remove a tooth if it is absolutely necessary. Here are a few examples of when this may be the case:

  • Your child’s baby teeth have not fallen out. Therefore an extraction is needed for the permanent teeth to emerge.
  • Impacted wisdom teeth.
  • You are getting your teeth ready for orthodontics or other dental treatments.
  • Teeth that have not penetrated the gum line.
  • Teeth that are severely decayed or destroyed, creating issues with the dental structure.

How Much Time Will It Take to Recover?

The tooth extraction recovery process can vary depending on the seriousness of the problem and the method of extraction. Extractions come in a variety of forms, including:

  • Wisdom teeth extractions: These third molars are often extracted to avoid overcrowding, infection, deterioration, or other oral health issues.
  • Multiple tooth extraction: Whether you have injured or severely decayed teeth, or if biology is a factor in your poor oral health, you will need to have multiple teeth removed. It’s also possible that you’re getting braces and need some teeth extracted to make room for your changing teeth.
  • Extraction site preservation: If you have lost teeth, you must replace them with dental implants. However, if you do not have enough bone protection, it might be important to perform extraction site preservation so that the bone around your missing tooth can be reinforced.

In most cases, the healing process can take one to two weeks, says Dr. Boals and Dr. Johnson.

Tooth Extraction Recovery Tips

You will be given detailed instructions for post-tooth extraction recovery to ensure a smooth recovery period. Here are some pointers to consider:

  • Gently bite the gauze placed on the extraction site. The amount of bleeding will be reduced as a result of this.
  • In the days following the operation, eat softer foods and stop chewing on the side of your mouth where the tooth was removed.
  • Do not return to work right away. Take at least two days off to relax. Our friend Dr. Ryan Helgerson, an emergency dentist in Grand Junction, says that patients who jump straight back into the swing of things are likely to complicate recovery. 
  • If the pain is unbearable, you should take a mild pain reliever that will be given to you. Use only as directed.
  • To minimize swelling, apply a cold compress.
  • Avoid drinking with a straw until you are fully healed. 
  • Avoid cleaning the area where the extraction happened, but continue to practice proper oral hygiene.

So, if you must get a tooth extracted, make sure to follow the above tooth extraction recovery tips closely. For dental care in Colorado Springs, contact Kissing Camels Family Dentistry. We provide a variety of dental services for all ages. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Tips for Choosing an Emergency Dentist

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Tips for Choosing an Emergency Dentist

If you were to experience a dental emergency right now, who would you call? Not every dental office is willing to provide emergency dental care when you need it. It’s important to be prepared in case things go wrong. Finding the right emergency dentist can be difficult when you’re in a hurry to get treatment. In this article, Dr. Boals and Dr. Johnson share a few tips for choosing an emergency dentist in Colorado Springs.

Searching for an Emergency Dentist Near Me

If you have a tiny crack in your tooth or it has been completely knocked out, the last thing you want to do is drive an hour out of town to get the care you need – particularly if you are in pain! As a result, begin your search with practices within 20 minutes of your most frequented locations, such as your workplace, home, or child’s school. After all, you’ll want the best dentist in Colorado Springs to have the best chance of saving your tooth if you see him or her within 30 minutes of the accident!

Dental Insurance

It’s no secret that dental care can easily become prohibitively expensive. Fortunately, this is where insurance comes into play! Since every dental plan is different, find out ahead of time if the dental team you’re thinking about using supports yours. Otherwise, you’ll be paying the price for quality care.

Dental Office Hours

Dental emergencies are never easy, but they can be particularly aggravating if they occur late at night, on the weekend, or on a holiday. So, ask your new dentist about their dental office hours. Avoid choosing an emergency dentist with operating hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our friend Dr. Moghadam, a dentist who is an emergency dentist in Easton, PA, says this is one of the biggest complications patients deal with. 

Emergency Dental Services

It’s critical to get fast, effective relief, but what happens next? For example, if your knocked-out tooth cannot be saved, having a dentist who provides tooth replacement alternatives, such as dental implants, is advantageous. Choosing a new dentist who offers a wide range of dental services under one roof is critical, particularly in an emergency!

What Ages Do They Work With?

Your dentist should also be a family dentist in Colorado Springs in case your little ones need care. As a parent, you know accidents happen when we least expect them. Some dental offices will turn patients away because they do not treat certain ages. Kissing Camels Family Dentistry provides quality dental care for all ages!

Dental emergencies can be chaotic, but if you are prepared ahead of time, the experience can go much more smoothly. Fortunately, you can use the information given above to locate an emergency dentist right away! Contact Kissin Camels Family Dentistry for emergency dental care in Colorado Springs, CO. 

Smile Makeover Giveaway: Sam’s Story

smile makeover giveaway - sam's story - colorado springs co

Smile Makeover Giveaway: Sam’s Story

Our Kissing Camels Family Dentistry team is super excited to announce our giveaway for a full-mouth rehab to one of our awesome patients! Sam has a very interesting story, and we’ll be bringing you behind the scenes throughout his whole smile makeover giveaway. Watch Sam’s smile transform from start to finish! Below, we show you part one of Sam’s story. 

About Sam’s Smile Makeover Giveaway 

Sam was so happy to find out that he was the winner of our smile makeover giveaway. Watch his reaction unfold in the interview below.

“Hello! My name is Samuel McNamee, and I am at Kissing Camels Family Dentistry here in Colorado Springs. 

I’m speechless. I don’t know what else to say. I am here to get my teeth fixed, and I feel like a lot of my life, a lot of my life, I was made fun of. I didn’t really get the attention from people, and I guess I felt looked down on. I’ve always been very, self-conscious wanting to smile. So I wanted to get my teeth fixed, and Kissing Camels Family Dentistry is helping me get my teeth restored.”

Q: How Are You Feeling? 

“So, I bet my BPM is probably like 500 – I’m probably shaking the building. I’m at a loss for words. Everything is moving in slow motion but very fast at the same time. I can not…

I’m extremely excited and, you know, to have an opportunity like this – it just blows my mind. It’s just an incredible feeling. The hairs on my arm are standing up the hair all over my body is really standing up, actually. And I’m out of this world, you know, I’m on cloud nine, quite literally.”

Q: What Are You Most Excited About? 

“To be able to smile for my wife. So that when we go out in public that she’ll be proud to be with me.”

Dentist in Colorado Springs

Sam’s journey has just begun! Please follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with our latest announcements. If you’re interested in cosmetic dentistry or restorative dentistry at our office, please contact Kissing Camels Family Dentistry to schedule a consultation. 

Root Canal Treatment FAQ

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Root Canal Treatment FAQ

When patients experience tooth infections or severely damaged decay, Colorado Springs dentists will often recommend root canal therapy to save the tooth. A root canal removes the contaminated or infected pulp from the tooth. Doing so allows patients to preserve their teeth, alleviate pain, and avoid reinfection. In the article below, Dr. Cody Boals and Dr. Alexa Johnson answer root canal treatment FAQ in honor of Root Canal Awareness Week! We hope this helps you better understand root canal therapy.

 

What Are The Signs of a Root Canal?

  • Swelling or tenderness in the gums/around the tooth
  • Tooth or gum discoloration
  • Sensitivity to hot/cold drinks
  • Severe tooth pain, especially when applying pressure or chewing

What Is The Root Canal Treatment Process?

Root canal therapy is similar to a regular filling and can often be performed in one or two appointments. Of course, it depends on the severity of the tooth infection and decay. Root canal therapy starts by numbing the surrounding gums as well as administering local anesthesia. Dr. Boals or Dr. Johnson will numb the tooth before drilling a small hole in the top of the tooth to expose the dental pulp. To ensure that the infection is cleared and avoid reinfection, the pulp will be washed out, and the interior of the tooth will be covered with an antibiotic. To fill and seal the tooth, a sealer paste or other synthetic material will be used. A temporary filling and sealant will follow this.

Do Root Canals Hurt?

Patients who haven’t undergone root canal therapy may feel uneasy about starting treatment. Luckily, root canals are completely painless. At Kissing Camels Family Dentistry, we offer local anesthesia and sedation dentistry for residents in Colorado Springs. After getting root canal treatment, you may feel numb for a few hours. Our friends at College Hill Dental Group, a dental office in Easton, PA, say that most patients can return to daily activities without any problems. So, if the dentist or endodontist suggests a permanent filling or crown for the tooth, a second appointment may be needed.

What Are the Advantages of Using a Root Canal?

Root canal therapy is important for saving natural teeth. If damaged teeth are left untreated, the infection can spread throughout the body. Patients who undergo root canal therapy will preserve their natural appearance and restore their tooth’s original functionality. Additionally, it also protects other teeth from more wear or tear, lowering the likelihood that you will need further restorative dental work in the future.

What Exactly Is A Root Canal In An Emergency?

An emergency root canal is similar to a scheduled or expected root canal in that they all result from the same cause—inflamed or infected tooth. However, many patients visit our dental office because they require emergency dental care in Colorado Springs. The procedure has most likely become the infection has gone on for too long. If you have any of the signs of a tooth infection, please contact Kissing Camels Family Dentistry immediately. Our team will do everything we can to get you smiling again.