Category: Frugal Living Tips

Even though we have many dental treatment options, having a tooth pulled may still be necessary for several reasons. Your dentist may recommend tooth extraction to treat and prevent the spread of tooth decay. Tooth extraction is also a treatment option for orthodontic reasons.

If your dentist recommended a tooth extraction, you’re probably wondering if the procedure will hurt. Since you’re essentially getting a tooth pulled, you may expect to feel some pain. However, there are plenty of anesthetic and medication options to eliminate any pain you feel.

Is tooth extraction painful? Continue reading to see what the experts have to say and how to manage pain after a tooth extraction.

Tooth Extraction Process

First, let’s look at the actual tooth extraction process to gauge how and when you will feel pain — if any.

Your dentist will first administer a local anesthetic. There are a couple of different types of anesthesia that your dentist may use. Be sure to mention if you or your child have allergies or prior complications with a specific anesthetic. Learn more here.

To administer the anesthetic, your dentist will inject it into the gum line of the tooth they will pull. This way, the area will be completely numb.

From here, your dentist will use a tool called an elevator to loosen the tooth from the gum. They will then extract the tooth using forceps. During this part, it’s normal to feel pressure. But because of the anesthetic, you shouldn’t feel pain. Always inform your dentist if the pain is bad. They will administer more anesthetic.

What if you need a surgical extraction? Your dentist will still use a local anesthetic, but they will make an incision instead of using the elevator tool. Again, since you’ll be numbed, you’ll experience more pressure than pain.

Other Anesthesia Options

Local anesthesia is always the first choice for dentists, but you can opt for general or sedation anesthesia if you’re uncomfortable.

For sedation anesthesia, your dentist will likely use nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas). The sedation will be minimal and you’ll mainly feel relaxed during the procedure.

A general anesthetic is also an option, but only reserved for special situations. With general anesthesia, you’ll fully lose consciousness and will be asleep during the procedure. Your dentist will administer the anesthesia through an IV or inhalation.

Pain After a Tooth Extraction

While your dentist will use general anesthesia, there may be pain during the healing process. If so, ibuprofen or acetaminophen can reduce your pain. If you had a surgical extraction, your dentist may prescribe pain medication.

Be sure to care for yourself and your oral health during the healing process. Rest if the pain gets too bad. Use an ice pack to reduce any swelling. Eat soft food so you don’t chew as much. Be sure to rinse your mouth with salt water to prevent an infection.

Is Tooth Extraction Painful?

If your dentist recommended a tooth extraction, you may be asking yourself this question: is tooth extraction painful? Since your dentist will use anesthesia, you shouldn’t feel any pain but a little pressure is normal. You can always request sedation or general anesthesia if you’re uncomfortable.

Continue reading our blog where we answer all of your pressing health questions!

Air conditioning is a way of life for most people. With how hot living in an enclosed space becomes without cooling, you can’t afford to go without an air conditioner. That’s why the HVAC industry has a market size of $240.8 billion.

If you don’t want to experience more severe air condition problems, you need to know what to look for when your AC acts up. Below are five common AC problems every homeowner needs to know.

1. AC Constantly Runs

Your AC shouldn’t run all the time. It should hit the temperature on your thermostat and turn off until your house needs to be cooled again. If your AC runs all the time, it’s a sign something isn’t right.

Start by looking at your thermostat. A bad battery can throw things off and keep your AC constantly running. If your battery isn’t bad, you may have obstructions in your vents or other AC issues that a professional needs to check.

2. Leaking Water

A leaking AC unit happens when too much condensation builds up in your AC unit, and it can’t drain properly. This can occur in a few ways:

• Faulty evaporator core
• Cracked drain pan
• Clogged condensation line

To fix a leaky AC unit, you can replace a drain pan and clean a condensation line yourself. However, an evaporator core that doesn’t work right and freezes up is a more complex issue. You may need to call an AC repair technician to fix this problem.

3. No Cool Air

Do you feel warm air coming out of your air vents when it should be cool? That’s a sign that you have a problem with your AC unit or air ducts.

In many cases, the cause of warm air is a dirty AC filter. You should replace your filter every three months, so get a replacement if it’s been a while since you last replaced your AC filter.

If you have an obstruction in your air ducts, you’ll need a professional to help. Learn about this service to find out how a pro can solve the problem.

4. Refrigerant Leak

A refrigerant leak is one of the most severe problems an AC unit will experience. Refrigerant is responsible for helping cool air when it flows through the AC unit. If you have a bad hose or other faulty equipment, that refrigerant can leak into your home.

Refrigerant isn’t safe for humans, so it’s a hazard when this happens. Fixing refrigerant issues isn’t safe for homeowners to fix themselves either. Call an AC pro immediately to fix your leak and top off your AC refrigerant.

5. Strange Odors

You shouldn’t smell anything coming from your AC unit. Everything with an odor is contained in the system, so you should only hear a bit of noise when it runs. Otherwise, you won’t notice your AC.

If you smell something in your AC unit, it’s a sign that you have faulty equipment. In many cases, you’ll smell something burning. This happens when your electrical system has problems and burns, so you’ll need to call someone for a repair.

Don’t Ignore the Common AC Problems

You can’t afford for your AC to break down when you need it the most. Luckily, there are many common AC problems you can see that point to faulty AC units. Keep the issues above in mind to figure out when you have a broken AC unit and get it fixed.

Do you want to learn more about common household problems? Learn more home improvement tips by reading the latest posts on the blog.

Every home accumulates stuff over time. Some of these belongings are pure clutter, which is why decluttering tips are so popular with a lot of the population. Unfortunately, not everything that can leave a home feeling cluttered is actual junk or even something you can reasonably declutter from your life.

When you find yourself in that situation or even if you just downsize, it often means putting some of your belongings into storage. This does present the issue of how to pick the best storage unit in your area.

If you’re on a quest for storage, keep reading for some key tips on picking the types of storage units for your needs.

Storage Unit Size

Storage units come in a variety of standard sizes. Some of the most popular storage unit dimensions include:

• 5’x5′
• 5’x10′
• 10’x10′

For most people who need some stuff out of their house, a unit in one of these sizes will do the trick. Make sure you visit one or two storage unit locations to get a look at the different sizes. There isn’t much value in paying for a larger unit that you won’t actually fill.

For oversized objects like RVs, boats, or farm equipment, you’ll need an oversized unit. Only some storage services offer these services, such as Titan Storage. You can click here for Titan Storage and see the kind of options they offer.

Once you settle on a size, you’ll need to check around with local storage locations to see who has units available in that size.

Climate Control

Many storage unit locations offer no climate control on the individual units. While some things belongings can handle high heat and freezing temperatures, think clothing, not everything can.

If you must store fragile objects like old family photos, you’ll want to look for storage units with climate control.

Self-Storage vs Full-Service

Most people choose the self-storage option when they get a unit. A self-storage unit means that you load everything up into a vehicle yourself. You take the vehicle to the storage facility, then you unload everything into the unit yourself.

Full-service storage means that a person or a crew will come to your location. They’ll load everything up into a vehicle, deliver it to the storage facility, and unload it into your unit. While unpopular in many locations, those who live in urban areas often prefer the full-service storage option.

Picking the Best Storage Unit for You

Picking the best storage unit for you does come with certain limitations. You can only choose from what’s available in your area. If you want a climate-controlled, full-service option, you may find yourself out of luck in many locations.

On the whole, though, it’s mostly a matter of estimating how much room you really need and finding a local storage provider. If you must store fragile belongings, make sure they offer climate control.

Looking for some more home decor or housekeeping tips? Check out some of the other posts over in our Home Decor section.

A furnace is expensive to replace. Luckily, with a little bit of routine maintenance, the average furnace can last about 15 to 20 years. Keeping up with simple maintenance will allow you to save a lot of money over the years, on both your furnace and air conditioning units.

But you may be wondering how often you need to schedule HVAC service. For most homeowners, HVAC maintenance and service is a very straightforward topic. Let’s take a look at how often you need HVAV service and when you should schedule it. 

How Often Should You Have HVAC Service?

You should have your HVAC system serviced once a year. This means that both your heating system and air conditioning system should be checked annually.

Doing so will keep your HVAC system running as it should. Your system will work less, saving you money on your energy bills. Plus, your home will stay at a more comfortable temperature year-round.

When Should You Schedule HVAC Service?

It’s best to have your HVAC system serviced before you begin to use it for the year. This means that your air conditioner and heating portions should be scheduled at different times.

The spring is a good time to schedule your air conditioning service. Meanwhile, you should schedule your heater service for the fall. 

This will allow your technician to inspect each part of the system to make sure they are ready to go for the upcoming summer and winter, respectively. In addition, if they do find any issues, you can get your AC repaired well ahead of when you need to actually use it.

With everything else going on in your life, scheduling your annual service appointments may fall to the wayside. But, there are a few HVAC tips and tricks you can use to make remembering easier.

Some HCAC companies will let you schedule your next appointment during your current one. Others may call you for a reminder when your next appointment is coming due.

Or, you could simply add a recurring appointment to your calendar. Other people choose to keep a clipboard with a service date tracker right by their HVAC unit. There are a variety of ways to make sure you keep up with your HVAC maintenance.

Do It Yourself Maintenance

In addition to scheduling professional HVAC maintenance, you can take a few steps to keep up your HVAC efficiency.  One of the biggest items is to periodically change your air filters. In addition, make sure to clean any vents and keep them unblocked.

It’s also important that you keep alert to any signs of potential HVAC problems. If you think your HVAC system is not running properly, call your technician. They will be able to check the issue and complete any HVAC repairs.

Keep Your HVAC System Running Efficiently

Scheduling HVAC service at the appropriate times will help keep your system running smoothly and efficiently. Make sure you have your HVAC system serviced annually, with the air conditioner in the spring and heater in the fall.

If you found this article helpful, check out our other home improvement articles too.

A beautiful smile is one of the first things people notice about you and can be a major confidence booster. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 96% of people believe a beautiful smile makes someone more attractive to members of the opposite sex.

While good genes certainly play a role in having healthy teeth and gums, there are several things you can do to improve your smile. Here are six helpful tips on how to improve your smile:

1. See Your Dentist Regularly

Seeing your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings is one of the most important things you can do to maintain a healthy smile.

Your dentist can spot early signs of tooth decay or gum disease and treat them before they become more serious. They can also give you tips on how to improve your at-home oral care routine.

Make sure to visit your dentist at least twice a year or more often if you have a history of dental problems.

2. Quit Smoking

Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your oral health. It increases your risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your smile – and your overall health.

There are many resources available to help you quit smoking, including nicotine replacement products, counseling, and support groups. Talk to your doctor or dentist about what might work best for you.

3. Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are often a good solution for individuals with discolored, chipped, or deformed teeth.

Dental veneers are made of thin pieces of porcelain that are attached to the front surfaces of your teeth. They can improve the appearance of your smile by making it whiter and more uniform.

On the other hand, dental porcelain wafers are thinly cut slices of dental porcelain placed over the surface of your teeth. They can also be used to improve the appearance of your smile. 

Look here for the best dental experts in Charlotte if you are considering dental veneers or porcelain wafers.

4. Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a popular way of improving a smile. There are many at-home healthy teeth whitening kits available, or you can get your teeth professionally whitened by your dentist.

Whitening your teeth can make them look brighter and help you feel more confident about your smile.

5. Floss Daily

Flossing is an important part of oral care. It helps remove plaque and bacteria from between your teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach.

You should floss at least once a day or more if you have a history of dental problems. If you don’t like conventional floss, many other options are available, including water flossers and disposable flossers.

Use a gentle back-and-forth motion when you floss, and be careful not to snap the floss into your gums.

6. Eat Healthy Foods

Eating healthy foods is good for your overall health, and it can also help improve your smile. Foods that are high in sugar and starch can contribute to tooth decay, so it’s important to limit them.

On the other hand, foods that are high in calcium and phosphorus can help strengthen your teeth. Good choices include milk, cheese, and yogurt.

Useful Tips on How to Improve Your Smile

There are many things you can do to improve your smile. Seeing your dentist regularly, quitting smoking, and eating healthy foods are just a few of the best ways to keep your teeth healthy and your smile looking its best.

If you’re looking for a more immediate way to improve your smile, teeth whitening or dental veneers may be right for you.

We hope you loved this blog post on how to improve your smile. For more interesting content, keep reading our articles.