tooth pulling

ok, so yes I am being a big baby. I am going to have a back tooth extracted on Friday morning and I am TERRIFIED! It's not even impacted, i'll get a shot of novicane, and by the time they pull it the dentist said it should be all over in 10 minutes. So why am I so nervous? I am so afraid of the after, the bleeding, the soreness, the not being able to eat or drink anything hot for a few hours, I don't know the whole thing grosses me out. Has anyone ever gotten a tooth pulled? I need some reassurance!

Re: tooth pulling

OK listen to me on this one.
I was the EXACT same way!
I had a molar in the back on top that had a vertical crack in it- it went into the root and they couldn't save the tooth. It had to be pulled.
I was devastated- a nervous wreck- I cried up until the appointment.
Let me tell you- it was NOTHING.
I got only novacaine- because I'm too scared to be put out. I don't deal well with drugs like that.

The worst part was the noises- you hear the tooth cracking etc. All you feel is pressure and pulling and tugging.
The only pain I had was the shot of novacaine- they have to numb it up pretty good so they shoot it into the front of the gum, the back of the gum etc. That hurt but it was only for a second or 2 and it's over.

They were very professional and I didn't see anything nasty. It was over in less than 10 minutes.

After the novacaine wore off I thought for sure I'd be in severe pain- I couldn't imagine having a tooth yanked out and not having terrible pain. But nope! I only took advil as a preventative measure. If anything, I was sore but not in real pain.

I also didn't bleed much at all. They packed it with gauze before I left and told me to take it out when I got home and if it was still bloody to change it.That was another thing that was grossing me out- I HATE that nasty feeling of gauze in my mouth.
I made my mom take out the gauze when I got home and I was ready to see a crime scene. But there really wasn't much blood at all and we didn't even have to repack it.

I didn't swell either- no ice needed or anything.

I went back to work the next day. You just have to be careful with eating on that side- soft foods only, nothing too hot or too cold. Annoying for a few days but do-able.

Trust me you will be fine.
And this is coming from the biggest baby you EVER want to meet!

Message edited 11/14/2008 3:15:11 PM.

Re: tooth pulling

Thanks!!
I ended up getting it done yesterday afternoon, and they just gave me novicane, no anasthesia since I am 10 weeks pregnant. I ended up bleeding for about 3 hours, and I was asleep by 8:30 for the night. But I woke up this morning feeling great! No swelling, no pain meds, nothing. My gums are sore, but that's it. Last night for dinner I had some warm mashed potatoes and chocolate pudding. But today, I ate normally. I had Taco Bell for lunch and chicken for dinner. The hole is already starting to close up, the dentist said I could go back to drinking coffee and other really hot foods by Sunday. I am so happy it's all over, and it was not bad at all!! Thank u so much!!!