What You Need to Know About Dental Extractions

Dental extractions can be extremely frightening to a lot of people because having a tooth pulled is not something that offers up any comfort to someone. However, most people may not even know what is involved in dental extraction. Most hear the word “extraction” and immediately begin to feel anxious or scared. Being aware of what happens during a dental extraction can be helpful to anyone who is feeling nervous or fearful about it. It is good to know what to expect during this procedure beforehand in order for people to have time to adapt to the procedure. In this article, we will go over what everyone should know about dental extractions. Read more below!

What to know about dental extractions

Preventative measures

Most people think that having a tooth pulled isn’t necessary but in a lot of cases, it actually is necessary in order to prevent further problems from forming. When a tooth is pulled, a dental professional will only do so as a last resort. Often, teeth have to be extracted due to decay or erosion which if left untreated could harm the surrounding teeth or gums.

Numbing agents

What a lot of people don’t realize or forget about is that dental extractions are only done with a numbing agent. Every dental professional will always give a numbing agent before the extraction is done. This is to help ensure that as little pain is felt as possible and to help the surrounding areas of the tooth being pulled to feel less discomfort. Typically, the most common numbing agent is Lidocaine which can be directly injected into the mouth. While the injection itself might cause a few seconds of discomfort, it will really pay off having this later on during the procedure and afterward too.

Ice or cold compress

Once the extraction procedure is over, people often want to just go about their daily lives but it is important to realize that the healing process will help with the pain and discomfort. Using an ice pack or cold compress can greatly help with any swelling or pain that someone is experiencing. Ice helps to bring down any inflammation or swelling around the tooth that was pulled while also providing a soothing feeling.

Pain medications

Dental professionals often advise that a patient should take pain medication prior to the tooth extraction as well as after the procedure is over. Taking pain medication before the procedure will ensure that the pain isn’t as bad once the tooth is pulled. This isn’t to say that there won’t be any pain at all, but pain medications can greatly bring down the amount of pain felt. Taking an over the counter medication once the procedure is over can also help with any inflammation or pain around the area too. It’s best to discuss with the dental professional about what the best medication is to take. Dental extractions can be frightening and uncomfortable but knowing all about them can be helpful to anyone who is feeling uneasy. If you have questions about dental extractions then reach out to our office today. We have trained professionals who can help answer any questions or guide you through the process. Give us a call or stop in today. Request an appointment here: https://www.stgeorgedentalcare.com or call St. George Dental Care at (435) 628-9099 for an appointment in our St George office. Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Tooth Extraction.