By Danny DeCota
Despite preventive care and restorative treatments, tooth extraction is sometimes necessary. If you have crowded teeth, or there is decay beyond treatment, your dentist may decide on the same. Dentists always want to save your natural teeth, and for that, they would do everything possible. For instance, if decay has led to serious tooth and gum issues, a root canal treatment may be recommended by your dentiste. Of course, most of us have our reservations with regards to tooth extraction, and in this post, we are sharing more on what to expect from the procedure.
What is tooth extraction?
As the term suggests, tooth extraction is about pulling out a tooth. Dentists, oral surgeons, and orthodontists do the surgery at their clinic. The reason for tooth extraction can vary – injury, tooth decay, wisdom tooth, and so on. Your dentist will decide if the tooth must be pulled out, and it is always the last resort.
Does it hurt?
You may feel some pressure, but it barely pains. Some people may have some pain, although that is not common, as tooth extraction is done under local anesthesia. In all likeliness, your doctor will give you an injection close to the site of surgery, which will numb the area. In rare cases, doctors may decide to go for general anesthesia, which means you will not be in your senses when the surgery is being performed. Sometimes, the tooth may not come out clean, or parts of it may remain inside the gums, for which a further cut may be required on the gums, and your dentist will use forceps to rock the root and get the tooth out completely.
In simpler words, a tooth extraction shouldn’t hurt, at least when your dentist is an experienced one and has taken all necessary precautions.
Things to know
If you have been recommended tooth extraction, always let your dentist know if you are taking any medications and supplements. Health conditions like history of hip replacement, cirrhosis, and diabetes must be reported too. You will be given a gauze pad immediately after extraction to stop bleeding, but don’t bite on it hardly. In all likeliness, your doctor will also suggest painkillers for a day or two. For 24 hours after the extraction, you are expected to rest, so avoid any kind of physical activity.
Your dentist will share a list of dos and don’ts, which must be followed, to ease and accelerate the healing process.
