The field of dentistry offers many solutions for problem teeth. In the past, you may have filled a tooth, covered it with a crown and even had a root canal to end issues such as pain and infection. While these treatments can provide lifelong relief from tooth problems, there are sometimes situations where they fail to fix all of the problems that a tooth causes. Teeth that have been filled multiple times or that are broken may require an extraction for you to feel any kind of relief from your discomfort. While no one wants to lose a tooth, this can help us to find a better solution such as tooth replacement that allows you to retain your smile without wincing in pain. Now that you've decided that a failing tooth must go, you can use these tips for preparing for dental extractions to finally feel better.

Share Your Health History

Tooth extractions may be considered to be either simple or surgical depending upon the location and health of the tooth. In either case, you can expect that the soft tissues in your mouth, such as the gums, will sustain some injuries that must be able to heal properly. Your current state of health influences the healing process, and your dentist needs to know if you have issues, such as a low immune system, that could affect how well you heal. Your dentist also needs to know about any medications that you are on since some can affect how much you bleed or respond to pain medications. Always be honest about your health and provide a complete list of your current medications.

Discuss Your Pain Relief Options

Dental extractions do not have to be painful. In many cases, you may only need a local anesthetic to ease your discomfort. However, you may also have other options such as sedation available if you feel anxious about the possibility of feeling pain or if your extraction is complicated. Be open about any anxiety that you have about the procedure so that you can work with your dentist to identify pain relief solutions that work best for you. 

Plan to Take It Easy

Tooth extractions can cause you to experience some mild pain and swelling around the area of your mouth that was involved during the first day or two. For this reason, you may want to take time off at work or avoid any appointments that require you to venture far from home. Taking a day or two to yourself also makes it easier to follow the after care instructions. With some rest and self-care, you can ensure that you have a better recovery.

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