What to know before a tooth extraction
What to Know Before a Tooth Extraction
Do you need to have a tooth pulled? If so, you might be feeling nervous about the procedure. It’s normal to be apprehensive, but there’s nothing to worry about—tooth extractions are very common, with most people having at least one tooth removed during their lifetime. To ease your stress and get you prepared for the procedure, we’ve compiled the following list of things you should know before a tooth extraction.
What to Do Beforehand
When you schedule an appointment for a tooth extraction, your dentist will provide you with detailed instructions on what to do before and after the procedure. It’s important that you carefully follow those directions, since they’ll likely be tailored to your specific condition.
With that said, in many cases, dentists tell patients not to eat anything for a certain period of time before their tooth extraction. The purpose of this rule is to help prevent the patient from experiencing nausea during and after the procedure. Dentists also usually tell their patients to stop smoking for a set amount of time before and after a tooth extraction to reduce their risk of developing dry socket.
If you’re currently taking blood thinners, be sure to disclose that to your dentist ahead of time (as well as a list of any other medications you’re taking). In many instances, dentists will direct patients to stop taking blood thinners prior to a tooth extraction to reduce their risk of bleeding and promote healing.
What to Expect During the Procedure
On the day of your tooth extraction, you’ll want to wear loose, comfortable clothing and no jewelry. You may not be able to drive yourself home, so be sure to arrange transportation ahead of time if necessary.
Once you arrive at the dental office, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the tooth as well as the surrounding gum tissue. Once the area is numb, your dentist will loosen and lift the tooth, then clean and disinfect the socket. Depending on your condition, they may also place a bone graft and/or stitches.
Don’t worry about experiencing pain during your tooth extraction. Dentists generally administer some type of anesthetic or sedation during these procedures. If you’re conscious during your tooth extraction, you may experience some discomfort, but you shouldn’t feel any pain.
What to Do Afterward
Your dentist will likely prescribe medication to address any pain you may feel following your tooth extraction. To protect the area, you should avoid eating hard, crunchy foods. Also avoid drinking through a straw, since that could lead to dry socket.
Keep the tooth extraction site clean by gently rinsing the area with an antimicrobial mouthwash (but don’t forcibly spit, since that could also result in dry socket). It’s common for people to experience light bleeding during the first 24 hours following a tooth extraction, but be sure to contact your dentist if your bleeding seems severe.
Where to Go for Your Tooth Extraction
If you’re in Sun City, Sun City West, Litchfield Park, or a nearby area, you can rely on Burns Dentistry to perform your tooth extraction. Our team—who possess more than 100 years of combined experience—will go above and beyond to keep you calm and comfortable throughout the treatment process. Contact us to schedule a free initial consultation.
