Tooth Extractions 101: Information for Concerned Patients

While your dentist will always do what they can to save a tooth that has problems, teeth do sometimes have to be extracted. Extractions are a common dental office procedure, but for patients, the whole idea can sound understandably intimidating. Here is a look at some of the common questions concerned patients tend to have about getting a tooth pulled.

How bad does it hurt to get a tooth pulled?

While having a tooth pulled can come along with some discomfort, the dentist will go to great lengths to make sure you are not in pain. Local anesthetic can be injected to numb the sensitive nerves in your soft tissue. Once the anesthetic has kicked in fully, you really should not feel any pain. You may feel some pulling or movement as the dentist works, but not anything more. After the procedure, you can have some pain and tenderness at the extraction site, but the pain is most often manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Will there be a lot of bleeding after the extraction?

You will have some initial bleeding after the extraction. The dentist will place a gauze pad in your mouth to bite down in order to apply pressure and encourage a blood clot to form. The bleeding will naturally subside as time goes by, but you could have some bleeding for up to 24 hours as the blood clot forms.

What is a dry socket and how do you avoid it?

A dry socket is what happens when the blood does not clot after the extraction, so you may have continued bleeding. Dry socket can also occur if the initial clot breaks up, dissolves, or dislodges. You may feel some pain and sensitivity with a dry socket, and the opening can make you vulnerable to infection. Avoiding a dry socket is a matter of avoiding certain activities after the extraction, such as smoking, sucking through a straw, drinking really hot liquids, and brushing in the area.

Talk to Us About Tooth Extractions in Bellbrook, OH

In the end, getting a tooth pulled is really not a huge ordeal. When you have a good dentist walking you through the process, you will feel much more comfortable. If you have questions about tooth extractions, reach out to us at Bellbrook Family Dentist in Bellbrook, OH.