One of the last things that dental patients want to hear is that they need a tooth extraction. The phrase “pulling teeth” conjures all kinds of unpleasant images for people, and it leads to them dreading the procedure as a whole.
Fortunately, the procedure isn’t nearly as harsh as you may believe, so if you have a tooth extraction scheduled soon, there’s some good news in store for you. Here’s what a tooth extraction actually feels like, and what you can anticipate from the procedure.
What Does a Tooth Extraction Really Feel Like?
The answer is that, as with many dental procedures, your mouth will be completely numbed before beginning any kind of tooth extraction. That being the case, you’ll hardly feel the tooth being removed. At most, patients report feeling pressure in the area where the tooth is being taken out. You therefore shouldn’t have to worry about any discomfort associated with the procedure itself.
What About After the Treatment?
Once the treatment is complete and your tooth has been removed, you’ll begin the healing process. You’re likely going to be a bit tender for a while after the treatment has been completed, so if you’re interested in avoiding discomfort, you should focus on following all of your dentist’s aftercare instructions to the greatest extent possible.
How to Make Aftercare Easy
Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be difficult. So long as you keep a few things in mind, you can heal quickly and stay comfortable.
For one, you should be sure not to agitate the wound while going through daily life. Avoid eating anything that requires excessive chewing, and when you do eat, be sure to chew on the side of your mouth opposite the extraction area.
You should also avoid drinking with a straw, spitting excessively, or doing anything else that creates excessive suction in your mouth. This can pull the blood clot that’s forming around the extraction area out of place, creating a condition called dry socket that substantially delays healing.
If you want more detailed instructions on how to make it through aftercare, talk to your dentist and they’ll tell you more about how to stay comfortable as you heal.
About Our Practice
At Family Dental Associates of Spring Hill, we give you something that other dental practices won’t: our time. We believe that there’s no shortcut to doing things right, and so we ensure that you always get our full attention when we’re working with you. That means treatment tailored to your needs, making it more comfortable and efficient for every step of the process.
If you have any questions about tooth extractions, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (615) 302-1414.