What To Expect When Getting an Extraction?
Local Anaesthesia
Your gentle dentist will make sure that getting the tooth extracted is as painless as possible by administering some local anaesthesia to numb the tooth and area around the tooth
EXtraction time
Once you are feeling numb and comfortable, your dentist will begin removing the tooth.
It is normal to hear sounds and have the sensation of pressure when the tooth is being removed, however the anaesthesia removes the sensation of pain
Post Operative Instructions
Your dentist will give you a set of instructions to follow for the days after the extraction, but in case you have forgotten you may return to this page :)
- Bite on the cotton ball for 20 minutes to stop the bleeding, after which you may remove the cotton ball
- Do not spit out any saliva/blood
- Should the bleeding not stop after 20 minutes replace the cotton roll with a teabag [any teabag except rooibos] and continue bitting for another 20 minutes
- You may eat once the bleeding has stopped and the anaesthesia has worn off [approx. 3 hours post-procedure]
- Eat on the side opposite to that of the extraction
- Keep the temperature of food/drink around body temperature - nothing frozen and nothing boiling
- Do not disturb the socket by placing your toothbrush, finger, tongue, a toothpick etc. in the socket
- Brush your teeth from the following day ONLY and be extra gentle around the socket
- From 24 hours after the extraction you may gently rinse with warm saline/warm salt water [1 teaspoon in 1 glass of water]
- Do not smoke/drink alcohol for the 5 days following the extraction
- Do not drink from a straw
- Please ensure you are taking any chronic medication as prescribed prior to your appointment - your dentist will instruct you regarding this medication at the appointment