Do you find the idea of having a tooth extracted frightening? You’re far from alone; plenty of people are afraid of having the procedure performed, and much of that fear stems from not truly understanding it. If you want to get your anxiety under control, it can often help to learn a bit more about the tooth extraction process and what you are likely to feel during it; here’s a brief summary of what you should know if you ever need to have a tooth removed to resolve a dental emergency.
How Does a Tooth Extraction Work?
The kind of tooth extraction that needs to be performed depends on the state of the tooth in question. A tooth that is currently fully visible in your mouth can simply be loosened with a dental elevator before being taken out with forceps. On the other hand, a tooth that can’t be seen above the gums may have to be extracted surgically. The gums will need to be opened for this procedure, and a small amount of bone might have to be removed along with the tooth.
What Can You Expect to Feel During a Tooth Extraction?
Many patients assume that a tooth extraction is a painful process, but this is not the case. Regardless of whether you’re undergoing a simple extraction or a surgical one, step one is the same: administering a local anesthetic to the treatment area. Once your mouth has been successfully numbed, you should not experience any discomfort during the extraction. At most, you may notice some pressure while your dentist is working with the tooth.
What Will You Feel After Your Tooth Extraction?
Once your tooth extraction is complete, the local anesthetic in your mouth will eventually wear off. At that point, you are likely to notice some discomfort; swelling and bleeding may also occur. Fortunately, your dental team can give you aftercare instructions that will help make the recovery process as comfortable as possible. Here are some instructions you might receive:
- Closely follow the directions for taking any pain medication that you were prescribed.
- Protect the blood clot at the extraction site in order to avoid a painful dry socket. (This involves avoiding actions that could disturb the blood clot, like drinking through a straw.)
- Be gentle on your mouth while it’s still recovering. Stick to soft foods such as yogurt and scrambled eggs.
- Avoid brushing the extraction site until your dentist says that it’s safe for you to do so.
In short, the tooth extraction process is more straightforward than you’re likely expecting, and your dentist will do everything they can to keep your discomfort to a minimum. Don’t hesitate to let your dental team know if there’s anything else you want to know about this procedure!
About the Author
Dr. Jason Daaboul went to the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School for his dental studies. Over the course of his career, he has completed many hours of continuing education so that he can continue to bring his patients truly high-quality care. He is experienced in handling all kinds of dental emergencies and can help determine whether a tooth extraction is truly necessary. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Daaboul at Daaboul Family, Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry in Grapevine, visit his website or call (817) 646-1009.