What To Expect Before Getting a Tooth Extraction

A tooth extraction can be stressful since you will be losing a tooth. But this procedure can also improve your dental health. Preparing for it involves knowing the steps of the process. Here are the things to expect before having a tooth extraction.

Oral assessment

The dentist will evaluate the patient’s oral health first. A physical dental exam is necessary. This will give the dentist visual and tactile information about the teeth and gums. Ordering diagnostic scans, such as dental X-rays, can reveal any problems in the patient’s target tooth. The scans will serve as a map during the tooth extraction.

Review of medical and dental history

Sharing the patient’s past dental procedures can help the dentist determine how the patient healed before. Current medical conditions can also help the dentist work with the patient’s doctor when it comes to medications. Any supplements must also be on the list of the patient’s medications. Finding out the patient’s allergies is easier this way as well.

Question and answer

Meeting with the dentist can open a forum for questions and concerns. Preparing a questionnaire can help make this part easy and quick. The dentist will answer any question about tooth extraction. Patients can also express their goals about tooth extraction.

Discussion of sedation options

The dentist will offer dental sedation to calm and relax the patient during tooth extraction. This can help patients with dental fear. It can also help patients who just want to feel comfortable during the procedure. Here are the dental sedation options available:

• IV or intravenous sedation delivers the sedative into the bloodstream. This is ideal for patients with long procedures. Pain relievers and sedatives will enter the veins through an IV line. This is known as the most effective level of sedation a patient can get from a dentist. Someone must drive the patient home because the effects of IV sedation will last for hours.
• Oral sedation is in the form of a pill. The patient must take it about an hour before the tooth extraction. Because of this, someone must drive the patient to the clinic and then back home.
• Laughing gas or nitrous oxide is the mildest form of dental sedation. The patient will inhale this gas through a nasal tube or mask. Driving home will not be a problem for the patient after tooth extraction with this type of dental sedation.

Aftercare preparation

Getting ready for tooth extraction aftercare is also part of preparing for it. Doing so will prevent the stress of getting things ready after the procedure. The dentist will provide post-procedure instructions during the consultation. This will give the patient time to stock up and schedule. Here are some pointers:

• Rest for at least a couple of days. This means that the patient must not perform strenuous activities. Complete rest can prevent pain and bleeding. The dentist will tell the patient when it is okay to go back to routine activities.
• Keep the tooth extraction site clean, but avoid brushing it. Floss and brush the other teeth. Use mouthwash as gently as possible. This will prevent dislodging the blood clot that helps the site heal.
• Follow instructions when taking medications. This will help manage the discomfort and swelling while healing.
• Stock up on soft foods. Avoid crunchy and hard foods for a while. Drinking with straws is not ideal because this will dislodge the blood clot.