Tooth extraction

[All I know is falling.]

This weekend I have to have a tooth extracted and I am incredibly nervous. I've never had a tooth pulled, so I was just wondering if anybody could tell me what it's like, how much it hurts, and how long recovery time takes?

Also, I told my dentist I was really nervous and he gave me a prescription for diazepam to take before the appointment to calm me down. Will that really get rid of my anxiety?

[Captainshiny]

Hello!

Im sorry to hear you have to get a tooth pulled and you are very nervous about it.

Personally, I have never had a tooth pulled, but I have had tooth fillings. I was injected with some kind of painkiller, I couldn't feel a thing; my guess is it wouldn't be much different for a tooth extraction, but please don't take my word for it.

However, my Dad has had a tooth extraction, and a full recovery maybe took about four to five days? You will have to be super careful on the first day, as the wound will still be open and you have to bite down on some padding to keep it from bleeding. During this time, you have to be careful not to eat anything on that side of the mouth, or drink any hot or fizzy drinks (I'm not sure about the fizzy drinks, but I'm sure it would sting a lot).

I have more to say, but I fear I'm wrong, so I probably shouldn't say anymore. Don't even take my word for what I've said, just use it as a rough guide or something. Ill say what else I have to say if you want me to, but it'd probably be wrong; just please don't rely on what I say :p

About the Diazepam, I've never had to take it, so I'm not so sure on that part, sorry.

Sorry I couldn't be of much help :S, but I hope all goes well and I wish you all the best!

[Arc Angel]

When you get a tooth pulled they will numb the area affected. Depending on the individual the healing time can differ and if you get dry socket, which you shouldnt worry much about its hard to get.

It takes about 4-5 days to heal before you can start eating solid foods in that side of your mouth, it may heal faster. Also the amount of time the wound stays open is also dependent on the person and if its an upper tooth or lower,

lower will heal faster/stop bleeding gravity helps
upper will take longer to clot gravity will be against it

They will tell you not to smoke, drink from a straw or cause suction as it may dislodge the clot

[Steel Maiden]

I was out under general anaesthetic when I had three teeth out. Perhaps you could ask for that, or intravenous sedation.

How many mg diazepam did you get? I have poor experiences of diazepam.

[susieannah]

I've had two lower molars pulled, and two upper wisdom teeth. The uppers were a breeze, I didn't even realised she'd taken them out! I was all set for her to get started and she was all, "Right, that's you done"!

The lowers were much harder for her to remove, apparently I had big manly roots on those teeth! It was pretty unpleasant, but not sore. Mostly you just feel a lot of pressure and thrashing around in your mouth. They will numb you up well, and check a lot before they get started that you are actually acceptably numb.

I picked something nice to focus on (my nieces) and just thought really hard about them until it was over. Perhaps ask if you could have something to listen to (either their radio or your own music on an mp3 player), take something you can hold to give your hands something textured for you to focus on.

As for recovery afterwards, people above have given good information. Be gentle with the gap. Don't brush it aggressively, use a warm salt water rinse (dissolve some salt in boiling water, let it cool to tepid/warm and swill it around your mouth a few times a day), don't eat or drink anything that might bother it. No curry, no fizzy drinks, no nuts or crisps (or anything other sharp, pokey foods!). As mentioned above, no smoking or alcohol.

Perhaps you've already had it done! If so, yay, how did it go? If not, best of luck.

[All I know is falling.]

Okay thank you everybody, this has been helpful.

I haven't gotten it done yet, my appointment is at 3pm tomorrow afternoon. The tooth is one of my bottom molars I think they said, the very last one in my mouth! I don't think they're going to put me under for it because it's just the one tooth...I'm hoping they'll just numb it for me.

They gave me 5mg Diazepam. I'm supposed to take one tonight so that I can sleep and then one about forty minutes before going in. I'm still incredibly nervous, but everybody I've spoken to says it doesn't hurt.

[Patent Pending]

Hey,

They will certainly numb it for you - this usually comes in the form of two injections if it's the back tooth - I had four pulled last time I went (all at once) and I had six injections for it.

The only bit that vaguely hurts (which isn't actually pain it's just like a little scratch and some pressure in your gums) is the injections. It feels odd when they actually pull it out but it isn't pain...just a bit of a weird feeling.

When I had four out I had to keep a padding on it for the following four hours (like a cotton wool ball to bit on) and then was warned to try not to eat on that side for 48 hours.

Taking the Diazepam before hand sounds good - it is really good for getting rid of anxiety. Also, remind your dentist that you have taken it to make sure he is definitely aware you've had it and what time you took it.

Just remember that if you want them to stop at any point wave your arm in the air and they will stop and only start again when you're ready. You can ask them to stop at any time and as many times as you need to.

Take care, I hope it goes okay.

x x x

[All I know is falling.]

Thank you.

I am incredibly anxious today. I took a diazepam last night and that helped to relax me so much and I was able to sleep all night. I woke up this morning very, very anxious though. I still have two hours until my appointment and I feel incredibly sick and tense, I can't relax at all. I still have another hour and a half to wait before I can take the other pill.

I am so nervous.

[susieannah]

It will be over before you know it! *hugs*

[Steel Maiden]

I was put under general anaesthetic due to haemorrhage risk, as I'm a haemophiliac. And I react adversely to local anaesthetics.

You're seriously brave.

[All I know is falling.]

Thank you everyone.

It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. I took the diazepam and that helped ease some of my anxiety. I was called in straight away and they were both very nice, told me exactly what they were going to do. They numbed me up and after that nothing was painful. It took about twenty minutes in total.

I'm in a little pain today, mostly just soreness. I'm taking prescription strength ibuprofen and I just have to finish my antibiotics...tomorrow is my last day of those as well. I'm glad to have this all be over with.

[Patent Pending]

Well done for getting through it :)

Remember to try to keep up with the salt water rinses over the next couple of days to keep it clean.

x x x

[susieannah]

That's great, well done for being so brave! :)