Preparation for Surgical Tooth Extraction and After Care Tips

Surgical tooth extraction procedures involve the removal of your teeth using surgery steps that are not engaged in standard extractions. During your visit to a dentist near you for a dental extraction, an incision is made on your gum tissue so that the dentist can obtain access to the tooth beneath or the bone tissue. In some instances, the bone tissue may be trimmed away to access the tooth.

How to Prepare for Tooth Extraction

A tooth extraction procedure in Plano, TX, requires preparation beforehand. To ease your experience when going for tooth extraction services near you, here are tips on how you can prepare for the procedure.

• Share Your Medical History

Give your dentist all the details about your previous medical checkups, which may include any existence of disabled immunity, heart and diseases, artificial joint replacements or any bacteria endocarditis history.

Mention any medications you are currently on so that your dentist can prevent any drug interactions from happening. If you are taking blood thinners, you will be advised not to take them before the extraction. This will increase your chances of healing and reduce bleeding.

• Avoid Eating Before Surgery

To prevent nausea, our dentist in Plano, Texas, advises you not to eat food for at least 12 hours before the surgery. If you have a condition such as diabetes, consult your dentist before making any decisions.

Do not smoke before or after the surgery since it will slow down your healing process or cause other medical emergencies such as a dry socket.

• Painkillers and Anesthesia

It is expected that you will be given something to numb your pain during and after the procedure. It would help if you first discussed with your dentist about what will be used on you. Take this opportunity to ask which anesthesia is suitable for you.

If you have been on anesthetics before, inform your doctor of the side-effects you experienced.

• Cost

Start making plans on how you are going to cover the bills. Talk to your insurance provider to verify if they can cover for the procedure and your dentist if they accept the insurance cover from that particular company.

• Inquire

Don’t be shy to ask questions you have in mind before the procedure. List down all the queries you have; however, how silly they may seem, don’t be afraid to ask them.

• Clothes

Dress on clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident. Loose-fitting clothes that may involve shirts or sweatpants are advisable. Do not put on jewelry, perfumes or contact lenses.

• Transportation

Due to the anesthetics used, you may not be able to drive home. Ask your friend or a family member to pick you up. Take a day off from work and stay home resting.

• Recovery

A surgical tooth extraction takes a little longer time to recover compared to the normal extraction. You are required to take 48 to 72 hours of rest after the procedure.

After Care for Tooth Extraction

What you do after the procedure will significantly determine how long the extracted area will take time to heal. The following are some dos and don’ts.

Take only the painkillers prescribed. Avoid taking aspirin. They are blood thinners and will delay the healing process. If after two days of taking painkillers and you are still in pain and bleeding, report it to our dentist.

Brush and floss your teeth twice a day to prevent infection without touching the region of extraction.

Press ice packs on the side of your face where the extraction was made to reduce inflammation. Ice packs are most effective during the first 24 hours after the procedure. They should be pressed on your cheek for about 10 to 15 minutes off and on for about 2 to 3 hours.

Don’t chew or prick on the extracted place. Let it clot to enhance healing. You are given a gauze after the extraction. Remove it after every hour to prevent bleeding. If you feel uncomfortable with the gauze, change it after half an hour. If bleeding continues, place a black tea bag on the wound.

If you are still numb, don’t eat solid food and avoid eating with the side where the tooth was extracted. Eat soft foodstuffs such as potatoes, smoothies and soups.