How to Prepare for Dental Procedures

What You Should Do Before Your Next Dental Procedure

Whether you are preparing for a root canal or a tooth extraction, chances are you are not looking forward to your upcoming dental procedure. While there are definitely steps you can take to help prevent needing procedures like these, there will likely come a point where something other than a routine dental cleaning will be needed. No matter what dental procedure you are facing, there are some steps you can take to help prepare yourself.

Ask Important Questions

Much of the anxiety that surrounds dental procedures has to do with the fear of the unknown. Before a dental procedure, always make sure to ask your dentist or oral surgeon any questions you want to know the answers to. Dental professionals are always happy to explain how the procedure works and what patients should expect during and after the procedure has taken place. Ask questions about the length of the procedure, different anesthesia options, and how the overall procedure is performed.

Follow Directions

With any dental procedure, there is likely a list of pre- and post-operative instructions that patients should be careful to follow. These directions are important not only to ensure the procedure goes as planned but also that you recover properly without any complications. For example, those procedures that call for anesthesia likely require the patient to not eat or drink past a certain hour – this is important for the anesthesia to work properly and avoiding complications while you are under.

Post-operative instructions are also important. Most dental professionals provide a print-out with instructions for patients to review before their procedure and to take home with them for reference. Some post-operative instructions may include taking antibiotics, avoiding crunchy or dense foods, not drinking through a straw, and how to properly take pain medications. After reviewing these instructions, make sure to clarify with the dental professional if you have any questions or concerns.

Allow Time for Recovery

Preparing for recovery is just as important as preparing for the procedure itself. Make sure to understand the expectations of how you may feel after the procedure. For example, if you undergo anesthesia, you may feel “out of it” for several hours, and if a local anesthetic is used, you can expect to be numb in specific areas for a few hours after the procedure has been completed. Make sure to understand the recovery time for the procedure being performed and to take it easy afterwards.

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