As you age, you may find that your dental health needs greater care. Tooth extractions can be quite common for those middle-aged and older.
When you need dental work done, it can be a stressful time. Tooth extractions can cause more anxieties than other dental procedures. You may feel uneasy during this time and dread the sense of loss you will inevitably feel.
However, there are many reasons a tooth extraction might be needed in your life. If you require this procedure or anticipate that you soon will, you should try to approach things with a healthy and proactive mindset.
Here are some tips to help you make a tooth extraction less stressful.
Don’t Delay
Procrastination is almost part of human nature. As you approach middle age, you can likely count many instances where you procrastinated at one time or another. It’s a normal response to many tasks in life!
That said, many people have been tempted in recent times to delay dentist appointments, which isn’t a sound strategy. While this may buy you a few moments of comfort, you will experience pain when a tooth extraction is sorely needed. It can vary intensity, but either way, you’ll likely regret postponing your appointments as other areas of life become disrupted by your pain.
Of course, post-extraction, you will likely wonder what you were stressed about in the first place. The more you drag the process out, the more stress you will undoubtedly experience, so it’s best to be brave and get things sorted at the earliest opportunity.
Your loved ones may be able to spur you into action too. If others care deeply about you, they may inspire you into action. Talk things through with them, and don’t be ashamed to seek out some moral support if you’re nervous.
Visit a Reputable Dentist
You may have more confidence in having a tooth extraction if a reputable expert oversees your procedure. That way, you know you’re in good hands.
The experienced professionals at Pure Dentistry genuinely care about their patients. For a wisdom tooth extraction, they will utilise the latest technology and x-ray you so that they can provide honest, informed advice. You can book online now or compose a direct message from their website to start a detailed consultation.
Know that this Brisbane dentist also has flexible payment options available. If your stress is derived from financial concerns, you may make the costs more manageable. In the end, the experience you have will depend on which dentists you deal with, so it’s worth consulting the best.
Your chosen dentist will likely have a blog on their website. Give it a read, and you may be able to educate yourself on matters surrounding your tooth extraction. Doing this will show you how committed your dentist is to their profession and patient care, and hopefully, counter your stress with greater confidence.
Confess Your Feelings
There’s no need to suffer needlessly when undergoing an extraction. It would help if you addressed your nerves with your dentist or nurse at the earliest opportunity.
The professionals you deal with may offer alternative treatment measures to make you more comfortable. They might use happy gas or sleep dentistry to ensure you experience optimum comfort.
Additionally, they may offer a more flexible appointment system for you. For example, you may have the option to spread your appointments out if multiple extractions are needed. Alternatively, it might be possible to have them all removed in one sitting. The choice should be yours, so try not to be worried about being forced into anything.
Try to remember that mental well-being is a conversation that’s growing globally, so try not to worry about being judged. Stigmas are being eliminated, and any healthcare expert is someone you can trust implicitly. They’ll be trained to keep you calm with their words as well as their actions too, so you should find them to be a comforting presence.
Ask Useful Questions
When your dentist is consulting you, it’s important to use your time with them wisely. You can do this by preparing the questions you’re going to ask.
Try to ask the most useful questions first. Make enquiries about what dental sedation methods will be used, find out if you can do dental treatment under general anaesthesia and ask about any risks you may be subjected to if you have any relevant pre-existing conditions. Recovery periods may also vary depending on habits such as smoking or eating harder foods, so some questions around those subjects could be prudent.
Disclose the relevant health information about yourself. That way, your dentist can give you more accurate answers regarding your circumstances and what you can expect. Know that local anaesthetic will be used to numb your tooth and the nearby area, so you shouldn’t experience any discomfort during the procedure.
Know that no enquiry is too silly here. Curious as to how long the procedure will take? Wondering how much pain you might feel? Unsure about the process in general? If you have any concerns at all, be sure to share them. Remember that if it’ll give you peace of mind, the question is useful to you!
Have a Plan to Adapt
Your mouth will be more sensitive for some time after your tooth extraction. The duration of this time may vary, hence the need to enquire further with your dentist about what you can expect.
Irrespective of the time taken to recover, you will need to adjust your daily routine somewhat. It’s a good idea to adopt a soft food diet so what you consume isn’t too taxing on your mouth. Stay hydrated, brush your teeth, and generally avoid any activities that risk disturbing the extraction zone. Communicate your temporary needs to relevant loved ones too.
Schedule your prescription intake with extra care too. Whether you use diary dates or smartphone alarms, you need to factor in any painkillers your dentists and doctors advise you to take. Follow any other recommendations that healthcare professionals provide you with. They may discourage physical activity over 24 hours too.
Remember the virtues of a plan of action. Stress can build from uncertainty. Just knowing that you have a roadmap to stick to can be enough to give you comfort and confidence.
Know That Help is Available Afterward
You may be somewhat concerned about your recovery period. In the unlikely event that things haven’t gone well, you may experience further bleeding or pain for longer than you anticipated.
If you’re stressed about this prospect, know that your dentist will be available and provide further help. Get back in touch with them and book another appointment, and they will gladly monitor your progress and offer additional treatment.
There’s nothing you can experience here that isn’t fixable. Remove any baseless negative thoughts from your mind. Instead, focus on what’s in front of you. Pay close attention to how your mouth heals, and if there are any irregularities, don’t hesitate to follow up with the experts. Everything will be rectified in no time.
Conclusion
It can be easy to be flippant in middle age and beyond. Perhaps you think your life experience has enabled you to know better about things like dental treatment. Is a tooth extraction truly necessary? Well, the answer is an unequivocal yes, so try not to compensate for your stress with dismissiveness. Follow the steps outlined above, and your worries will ease as your oral health improves greatly.
