Oral Surgery (tooth extractions)
You and your dentist may decide that you need a tooth extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed; others may have advanced periodontal disease, or have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth), or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.
The removal of a single tooth can lead to problems related to your chewing ability, problems with your jaw joint, and shifting teeth, which can have a major impact on your dental health.
To avoid these complications, in most cases, the will discuss alternatives to extractions as well as replacement of the extracted tooth.
At the time of extraction the dentist will need to numb your tooth, jawbone and gums that surround the area with a local anaesthetic.
During the extraction process you will feel a lot of pressure. This is from the process of loosening the tooth and widening the socket to facilitate removal. If you do feel pain at any time during the extraction please let us know right away.
After Extraction Home Care
Bleeding
Some bleeding may occur. Placing a piece of moist gauze over the empty tooth socket and biting down firmly for 45 minutes can control this.
Blood clots that form in the empty socket
This is an important part of the healing process and you must be careful not to dislodge the clot.
- Avoid rinsing or spitting for 24 hours after the extraction.
- Avoid use of a straw, smoking or hot liquids.
Swelling
If swelling occurs you can place ice on your face for 10 minutes and off for 20 minutes. Repeat this cycle as you feel necessary for up to 24 hours.
Pain and Medications
If you experience pain you may use non-prescription pain relief medications such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.
Eating
For most extractions just make sure you do your chewing away from the extraction site. Stay away from hot liquids and alcoholic beverages for 24 hours. A liquid diet may be recommended for 24 hours.
Brushing and Cleaning
After the extraction avoid brushing the teeth near the extraction site for one day. After that you can resume gentle cleaning. Avoid commercial mouth rinses, as they tend to irritate the site. Beginning 24 hours after the extraction you can rinse with salt water (1/2 teaspoon in a cup of water) after meals and before bed.
Dry Socket
Dry socket occurs when a blood clot fails to form in the socket where the tooth has been extracted or the clot has been dislodged, and the healing is significantly delayed.
Following the post extraction instructions will reduce the chances of developing dry socket. Dry sockets manifest themselves as a dull throbbing pain, which doesn’t appear until three or four days after the extraction. The pain can be moderate to severe and radiate from the extraction area. Dry socket may cause a bad taste or bad breath and the extraction site appears dry.
Please book an appointment to apply a medicated dressing to the dry socket to soothe the pain.
Healing
After a tooth has been extracted there will be a resulting hole in your jawbone where the tooth was. In time, this will smooth and fill in with bone. This process can take many weeks or months. However, after 1-2 weeks you should no longer notice any inconvenience.

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I am extremely well looked after and the treatment is always well explained.
So pleased for my mother to be in her care after not being able to get an appointment for so long due to the COVID restrictions!
Thank you for your brilliant care.
However, severe pain with an abscess left me with no choice but to see the dentist.
Yousaf Choudhry’s laid back, calm manner and sense of humour made it difficult not to to feel relaxed. I said from the start I was anxious as I had a terrible experience years ago and he took the time to explain things to me, tell me what he was doing and what to expect which helped me feel calmer. He was quick to find the root cause, prescribe antibiotics, explain to me options and put a plan in place to prevent further problems. His nurse (with coloured hair) was so friendly and gave great advice. I think they work fantastically together.
I usually have to be referred to be placed under conscious sedation for treatment however with two children now in tow I need a quicker turnaround for treatment. I felt confident with Yousaf and booked to have the tooth removed the following week.
I still felt nervous and shaken but again Yousaf’s easy going and calm manner just put me at ease. His sense of humour relaxed me and after the injections went in I could not feel a thing. He worked quickly and removed the tooth before I even realised it had happened. The sense of relief was huge!
I now feel keen to keep up with regular check ups which is a huge relief as I dreaded problems cropping up with my teeth. I also didn’t want to be seen by my children to be scared of the dentist and for them to potentially take on my fear.
I honestly can’t thank Yousaf, his nurse and the surgery enough for not only being so professional but being understanding and supportive all whilst keeping good sense of humour.
i was seen by Dr Kassan, and i was incredibly anxious about the appointment. dr kassan and his nurse Tallulah made me feel as at ease as possible, he talked me through the procedure and was incredibly patient with me.
i will be registering my family with this dentist as a result - all the staff there were kind and supportive of me in my time of need and i am so grateful to them all.
Thank you so so much for ending my pain!
no pain very caring all the way through
C. Archer
So pleased I found this lovely dentist practice
Keith
No pain at the time.
A couple of paracetamol required once the anaesthetic had worn off, but ok on Monday.
A very professional job.
R
Reception with always friendly ladies .
Good dental practice, excellent efficient friendly dentists .
Reasonable fees too. Far better than the private dentist, I left. The new annex is nice too.
A minor issue was the beeping alarm box. Which was annoying, as every minute or so it beeps. Not ideal when sat next to it.
I am very satisfied with their services.
Bonus, tooth was fixed straight away.
Maliha was very thorough and she along with her assistant Mellisa were both very nice people to meet.
Thank you for a pleasant experience.
Linda
My wife and I are extremely impressed with the staff and the surgery
After months of trying, I was eventually able to make an appointment at Heralds Way. I was apprehensive, because I usually find going to the dentist an unpleasant experience, and on this occasion I also anticipated extensive work being needed. This is because I had been told by my previous dentist (at a different surgery) that treatment for my tooth was complex and would cost about £1,800.
I was seen by Jasreet Sagoo, at Heralds Way, and her warm welcome and relaxed approach immediately reassured me. After examination, she advised that the major work I had been recommended was, in her opinion, a last result, and she felt that it was not necessary at this time. Instead, Jasreet recommended filling the tooth, and I felt completely confident in her judgement. All my previous concerns were unfounded, and for the first time in memory, when going to the dentist, I felt reassured and relaxed! I feel huge relief that the dental work needed is finally being completed, and even more, because I finally have found a dentist who I feel comfortable with, and completely trust and have confidence in. My faith is restored! I never thought I would be able to say that going to the dentist is a positive experience - so thank you Jasreet Sagoo, and Heralds Way Dental Clinic. I will be back!!
Arrived in good time
My Dentist J Sagoo gave me an Excellent Check Up and Dental Advice
Overall "A FIRST CLASS & PROFESSIONAL DENTAL EXPERIENCE.
ALL STAFF were very Friendly and Helpful.
I also have a rare blood disorder, which they've gone over and above to be accommodating for. Could not recommend this surgery enough! I now love my smile even more.
A very good service all round.
Jan-24 Update: The customer service and dental clinicians are all fantastic. I cannot give enough praise for this dentist practice; each & everyone of the staff are superb.
Warm welcome from Reception on arrival and sat in the smart waiting room. As I had filled in the routine status forms online in advance only a short wait before being called.
Louise gets to know you as a person and not a patient number. She readily advises on the condition of your teeth and what needs to be done. She also listens to your concerns and addresses them with considered response.
I left the practice with beautifully cleaned, shiny teeth and a calm state of mind.
Would I recommend? Without hesitation!
£25 seems a lot of money now that I am a pensioner but would be worth it if free cleaning was reinstated as tartar builds up even with electric toothbrush. Stopped during Covid but not sure why?
Everyone in the practice has been wonderful. Lovely ladies on reception are always so helpful.
Kathy the hygienist is so gentle and thorough, my mouth feels super clean afterwards.
Fayaaz and Jade work great together, they both have been amazing and Fayaaz has gone above and beyond.
Very very pleased with the final results, thank you
Helen Williams

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Just as you should visit your dentist twice a year, you should also aim to visit your hygienist every six months, unless directed otherwise.