A day in the life — tooth extraction edition
7 stages to consider ahead of time
Rise and shine — you’ve been waiting for this day (or maybe dreading it), and now it’s here. Not to worry! We’re here to help you extract the knowledge you need for a smooth pre- and post-op experience.
Let’s go through everything step by step, starting with the morning before your procedure. All the while, rest assured our team will take every opportunity to make your experience as comfortable as possible!
1. To eat or not to eat breakfast — that’s the question
Depending on the type of anesthetic you’ll need for your procedure, your dentist may or may not recommend a healthy breakfast before you head to the clinic.
- If they’ll be using local anesthetic, feel free to fit breakfast into your routine as normal!
- For procedures using nitrous oxide, we recommend eating something a little lighter a few hours before your appointment.
- Lastly, if your dentist opts for an IV anesthetic, you’ll need an empty stomach prior to your procedure.
We’ll let you know ahead of time which anesthetic you’ll be needing! And, if you’re having local anesthetic or nitrous oxide, remember this breakfast may be the last solid food you’ll have for a while — so cherish it while you can!
2. Make your way to your appointment
First and foremost — if your dentist will be using an IV anesthetic for your procedure, make sure to arrange a safe ride home following your appointment. This deeper form of sedation makes it unsafe to operate a motor vehicle until its effects wear off. So on your way over, make sure to bring someone who can drive you back!
Comfy clothes are also a must. (Okay, maybe not a “must” — but they will improve your experience!) We highly recommend sweats and slippers.
3. Welcome back to the clinic!
Once you arrive at the clinic, you’ll be greeted by our friendly team. We’ll check you in a few minutes early so you have any needed paperwork complete.
Then, we’ll have a quick consultation so you can ask your dentist any last-minute questions that come to mind. We can review your procedure with you, always ensuring you’re informed to make your experience as comfortable as possible.
4. Time to begin!
Anesthesia
First thing’s first: we’ll get you set up with anesthesia. Depending on the anesthetic used, you may or may not be awake during your procedure.
Don’t worry — it’s not as scary as it sounds! We’ll talk you through everything (and remember we’ve done it hundreds of times before)!
- Local anesthetic numbs just the area around your tooth, meaning you can stay awake during your procedure.
- Nitrous oxide numbs your whole body, but it will keep you awake as well.
- IV anesthetic will put you fully to sleep — sometimes used for multiple or more complex extractions.
This won’t take long to administer, and within a few minutes, we can begin extraction!
Extraction time
With your anesthetic fully administered, your dentist will begin the business of removing your tooth (or teeth) with care.
If you aren’t using IV anesthetic (and are awake for your procedure), you may feel some pressure throughout, but never any pain. We’ll keep talking to you, and the process is quite efficient, so you won’t have long to wait!
5. All done! Now, post care is your priority
At the clinic
We’ll provide you with a full list of post-care instructions to refer back to during your recovery. This will include a few recommendations based on your unique procedure, including:
- Pain relief recommendations
- Diet during recovery
- How to keep your extraction site clean
We’ll also ask you to spend some time in the recovery room until your anesthesia wears off — so rest, relax, and recuperate! We’ll check in on you to see how you’re doing before saying “bye for now.”
Heading home
After getting a ride or driving yourself home (we’ll recommend the best course for you!), what comes next looks largely the same for everyone. And that means putting your feet up for some solid self care!
Be sure to follow your instructions for keeping the site of your extraction clean — and eat soft foods that won’t irritate the area.
Depending on how many teeth you’ve had extracted and your recommended medication, your time away from work or school may vary. If you have any questions where that’s concerned, don’t be shy to ask!
In the meantime, turn on your favourite shows, read a great book, or take a nice relaxing bubble bath. You’ve earned it!
6. Follow up
You haven’t seen the last of us yet! Our team will want to check in on how you’re doing.
We’ll schedule some time for a quick follow up to ensure your recovery’s on track — and to answer any other questions you may have!
7. Give Yourself a Grown-Up Gift from the Tooth Fairy
Because why not?
It’s not every day you have a procedure!
And with inflation the way it is, it’s time to renegotiate that loonie under your pillow.
That’s it, that’s all!
There you have it — your extraction is all done! If you have any questions following this blog, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team below. We’ll be more than happy to walk you through things.
Rest up!
