Having A Tooth Extracted? Know What To Expect

Dentist Blog

Do you need to have your dentist remove one of your teeth? If so, you may be wondering what this process will be like from start to finish. Here is what you can expect when having a tooth extracted.

Before The Procedure

The good thing about a tooth extraction is that it shouldn't require much prep before the procedure. The only thing you need to be concerned about is if you have anxiety about going to the appointment, which can cause you to not show up or be very stressed. Your dentist can prescribe you an oral sedative that will help make you feel more at ease, which you take at home before your appointment. Just make sure that you have someone drive you to the appointment since the sedative will make you unable to drive a car.

During The Procedure

A tooth extraction can be done by giving you a local anesthetic, such as Novocaine, to help numb the area that the dentist will be working on. However, you can request an additional form of sedation dentistry to help make the procedure easier to get through. For example, general anesthesia is often used if multiple teeth are being pulled or wisdom teeth are being extracted.

Always let your dentist know if you are experiencing pain during the procedure. If so, they'll make adjustments so that you feel comfortable. If you use general anesthesia, it is likely that you will not remember a thing. You'll be out the entire time and likely not remember anything until you have left the dental office.

After The Procedure

Make sure that you have your pain medication ready to go after the procedure, as well as any antibiotics that have been prescribed to fight infections. Have ice packs on hand to reduce swelling and pain in the area, and take it easy when it comes to eating and drinking beverages. Avoid straws, since they can cause blood clots to become dislodged and create a dry socket in the extraction site.

Reach out to your dentist if you notice your symptoms are getting worse during recovery. This includes increased pain, bleeding, and swelling. The first couple of days will be a bit rough, but you'll soon be fully recovered from the procedure.

If you still have questions about the tooth extraction, don't hesitate to reach out to your dentist prior to the procedure. They'll be able to put you at ease by answering any questions you may have.

25 April 2019