Glad to hear your daughter had a smooth recovery. I'm scheduled for my first extraction next week and feeling pretty anxious about it... but your post is reassuring. I'll definitely ask my dentist about vitamin C or protein-rich foods—thanks for mentioning that.
I totally get why you're feeling anxious about the extraction—I was the same way before mine. Honestly, the anticipation was way worse than the actual procedure. Have you talked to your dentist about sedation options? I found that having nitrous oxide (laughing gas) really helped me stay calm during the extraction itself. It doesn't knock you out completely, but it takes the edge off and makes things feel less intense.
Recovery-wise, I think you're already on the right track thinking about nutrition. My dentist also recommended vitamin C and protein-rich foods to speed up healing. I stocked up on smoothies, yogurt, and soups beforehand, and it made things a lot easier. Just make sure to avoid anything too hot or spicy for a few days—trust me, I learned that the hard way!
One thing I didn't expect was how tired I'd feel afterward. Even though it's just a tooth extraction, your body is still healing, so don't underestimate the need for rest. Give yourself permission to take it easy for a couple of days. Also, ice packs were my best friend for swelling—20 minutes on, 20 minutes off really helped.
Did your dentist mention anything about saltwater rinses? Mine had me start gentle rinses after 24 hours, and it seemed to help keep things clean and comfortable. Might be worth asking about that too.
Anyway, it's great that you're already preparing and asking questions. You're doing everything right, and I'm sure you'll get through it just fine. The anxiety beforehand is totally normal, but once it's over, you'll probably wonder why you worried so much—I know I did.
Totally agree about the tiredness afterward...my daughter slept a ton after her extraction. We also did smoothies and soups, but popsicles were actually the biggest hit for soothing soreness and swelling. Hang in there, it'll be behind you soon enough.
My dentist recommended popsicles too, but honestly, ice cream was my lifesaver. I remember binge-watching Netflix with a tub of vanilla...felt like a kid again, haha. The tiredness is real though—slept like a rock for days afterward. It'll pass quicker than you think.
"The tiredness is real though—slept like a rock for days afterward."
Glad you mentioned the tiredness, because my daughter had her tooth extraction recently, and she's been sleeping way more than usual. At first, I was a bit worried, but it sounds like that's pretty normal? She also preferred ice cream over popsicles—said the cold felt better without the sharp edges. Did you notice any swelling or discomfort lasting longer than a few days? Just trying to gauge what's typical...
