How to Prepare For a Tooth Extraction
Sometimes tooth extraction is necessary. If your tooth is decayed, impacted, or damaged, you may need a tooth extraction sooner rather than later. A tooth extraction may also be necessary if you have advanced periodontal disease. Your dentist in Hilliard, OH will always try to save a natural tooth, but when tooth extraction is the only option left, you can take steps to make the process go more smoothly.
Disclose Medical History
Before the tooth extraction, you’ll want to inform the dentist in Hilliard, OH of anything important in your medical history. Be sure to let your dentist know if you have diabetes, for example. Don’t forget to also give the dentist a list of your current medications. Some medications thin the blood, making bleeding more profuse. This won’t pose a problem, but having your dentist be aware of the situation will let them prepare better.
Ask About Anesthesia, Sedation and Medications
A dentist will need to give you anesthesia or sedation to carry out the tooth extraction. If you know that a certain kind of anesthesia or sedation isn’t good for you, you’ll want to tell the dentist. Make sure to share with the dentist any side effects that you’ve experienced in the past. In order to ensure a smooth recovery, your dentist will offer an after-treatment plan. Review this before you leave the office so that you can ask any questions you may have.
Avoid Eating Before The Surgery
The best way to ensure a seamless surgery is to avoid consuming anything for 12 hours prior to the tooth extraction. If you eat something 12 hours before the surgery, you could experience nausea during and after the tooth extraction.
Avoid Smoking
If you can, avoid smoking 12 hours prior to the tooth extraction. Note that smoking lowers the immune system, so the less you smoke, the better. Smoking after the tooth extraction may even prolong your recovery period.
Remember, a tooth extraction is usually just one small step on the way to better oral health. A diseased tooth is not helpful for your remaining teeth and can even jeopardize those other natural teeth. If you have any questions about tooth extraction, please contact our dental office in Hilliard. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
