How can we help you?
Having questions when choosing a dentist is natural! After all, your oral health is an important part of your overall health. Here is a list of some of the most common questions we receive. If you do not see yours listed below, please give us a call. We look forward to hearing from you.
Tooth Extractions
In one word, yes. Your mother and grandmother were right when they told you to gargle with salt water when your mouth hurts.
Using warm salt water does help the mouth recover after surgery, and Dr. Schafer does recommend it. A study in 2014 showed that patients who had their wisdom teeth removed and who rinsed at least two times per day after surgery were less likely to have complications and post operative pain. The use of salt water has been documented by ancient Egyptians as well as ancient Greeks. It is great because it is cheap and safe.
Now generally it's best to gargle with salt water the day following the surgery so that the clot that has formed around the surgical site can set and heal. Make the water super salty and not boiling hot but warm enough to be slightly uncomfortable.
If you have a toothache, you should call us at NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry to get an appointment as soon as possible.
If you have a fever or swelling and cannot make it to the dentist quickly, then you should go to a local urgent care or to the emergency room for an evaluation.
Thankfully most toothaches do not cause a fever or swelling. Unfortunately, though, a toothache rarely happens on your schedule, but rather it happens at the most inconvenient time possible.
Ignoring the pain is not a good thing because it will likely get worse and make any dental treatment more difficult and more expensive. If the pain goes away, that does not mean that the problem is gone but more likely the tooth's nerve has died and that you can no longer feel the pain from the infection.
Steps to Take to Temporarily Relieve Toothache Pain
To help relieve the pain temporarily, using common over the counter pain medication works. For minor toothaches, generally whatever you take for aches and pains works best. For bigger toothaches, alternating Advil or ibuprofen and Tylenol or acetaminophen every 3 hours works well to control the pain if your physician allows you to take ibuprofen. Do not place aspirin near the site of the pain as it will cause a burn to the gums as it is acidic. Also, gels and pastes like Oral-gel do not work very well as they cannot penetrate deep enough.
Contact Your Emergency Dentist in New Orleans
If you are concerned about a toothache, please give us a call at (504) 392-5104 to schedule a same-day appointment.
In a word? No.
With properly administered local anesthesia, a tooth extraction procedure shouldn’t be painful. Though the idea of removing a tooth may seem intimidating, modern dentistry is designed to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. While it’s normal to feel pressure, pain during tooth extraction is carefully controlled.
So, how painful is a tooth extraction? When performed with care, not very!
What Does Tooth Extraction Feel Like?
When patients ask, “Does tooth extraction hurt?” they’re usually imagining sharp pain. In reality, local anesthesia completely numbs the area around the tooth and the surrounding gums. You may notice pressure as the dentist loosens and removes the tooth, but you should not feel pain.
The tooth extraction pain level after the procedure varies depending on whether the extraction was simple or surgical. Mild soreness, swelling, or tenderness is common once the anesthesia wears off. This is typically temporary and manageable with recommended pain relievers, rest, and proper aftercare. Following post-op instructions is key to minimizing discomfort. Soft foods, cold compresses, and avoiding smoking help protect the healing site.
Afterward, most patients are genuinely surprised by how manageable the experience is!
Gentle Tooth Extractions in Gretna, LA
If you’re in Gretna and have questions about tooth removal and proper aftercare management, contact Dr. Russell Schafer and the excellent NOLA Dentures team to schedule a consultation.