Maybe you’ve heard horror stories about patients developing dry socket after a tooth extraction. Or, maybe you’ve haven’t heard much about the tooth extraction process at all. However, knowing the facts and what to expect about a tooth extraction can ease your mind and help you better prepare for your appointment. Take a look at some of the top things you need to know about having a tooth extracted.
Before: Planning for a Smooth Procedure
Ahead of your procedure, you may have to take antibiotics if you have a compromised immune system. Your dentist will look over your medical records to ensure that you’re healthy enough to undergo the tooth extraction without any complications.
During: You Won’t Feel Much Discomfort During the Extraction
Thanks to modern medicine, pulling teeth doesn’t feel like pulling teeth for the patient anymore. After a quick shot of a local anesthetic, your mouth will be numbed and you won’t feel any sensation beyond a bit of pressure as your dentist works to extract the tooth or teeth. Though you may experience a bit of discomfort, you won’t experience anything that could be described as “painful.” The local anesthesia should last you well past the end of your procedure.
After: Swelling Is Normal and It Won’t Last Long
You can expect the extraction site to swell up and to become tender in the first few days following your procedure. This is normal and should pass after a day or two, as long as you stick to your dentist’s aftercare instructions.
Here are a couple of things your dentist will recommend to help ensure that the extraction site heals properly and quickly:
Before: Planning for a Smooth Procedure
Ahead of your procedure, you may have to take antibiotics if you have a compromised immune system. Your dentist will look over your medical records to ensure that you’re healthy enough to undergo the tooth extraction without any complications.
During: You Won’t Feel Much Discomfort During the Extraction
Thanks to modern medicine, pulling teeth doesn’t feel like pulling teeth for the patient anymore. After a quick shot of a local anesthetic, your mouth will be numbed and you won’t feel any sensation beyond a bit of pressure as your dentist works to extract the tooth or teeth. Though you may experience a bit of discomfort, you won’t experience anything that could be described as “painful.” The local anesthesia should last you well past the end of your procedure.
After: Swelling Is Normal and It Won’t Last Long
You can expect the extraction site to swell up and to become tender in the first few days following your procedure. This is normal and should pass after a day or two, as long as you stick to your dentist’s aftercare instructions.
Here are a couple of things your dentist will recommend to help ensure that the extraction site heals properly and quickly:
- Bit down on the gauze covering the extraction site to help the open wound form a blood clot, which will stop the bleeding
- Get plenty of rest to promote healing
- Keep your head elevation while resting to keep pressure off the extraction site
- Ice the extraction site with a bag of ice to bring down the swelling
- Take pain medication as directed to mute the pain and bring down the inflammation
