What to Expect from a Tooth Extraction: Your Questions Answered

So your dentist says you need a tooth extraction. What now?

It’s understandable to be concerned, but keep in mind that it’s a perfectly standard dental procedure. We’ll do everything we can to save a tooth, but sometimes extraction is simply necessary. You may have a decayed tooth. Perhaps you suffered an accident. Maybe you need to have your wisdom teeth out.

The good news is we can do tooth extraction relatively painlessly. Other than the initial pinch when we apply the numbing agent, you really shouldn’t feel a thing.

Why Teeth Sometimes Need Pulled

The most common reason for a tooth extraction is the tooth has become too badly damaged, either from dental trauma or decay. Usually we’ll do a root canal to save the tooth, but sometimes the decay is too severe, and we need to pull the tooth to stop the spread of infection.

But you may need to have your tooth pulled because your mouth is too crowded. This is sometimes necessary when we need to make room for orthodontia. We want your teeth to be properly aligned, but this can be challenging when your teeth are too big for your mouth.

Sometimes a tooth doesn’t erupt properly from the gumline, and this can cause problems with your other teeth. In this case, most dentists recommend pulling it.

If you have a compromised immune system (perhaps you’ve had chemotherapy recently or an organ transplant), we may need to pull infected teeth to avoid spreading disease.

Sometimes teeth need to be pulled if you suffer from severe periodontal disease — an infection of the tissues and bones that surround and support the teeth.

Tooth Extraction: What You Can Expect

Before we pull your tooth, we’ll apply a local anesthetic to numb the area where the tooth will be removed. In some cases, we may even put you under so you are asleep during the procedure.

For an impacted tooth, we’ll need to cut away the gum and bone tissue covering the tooth. Then we’ll apply forceps and gently rock the tooth back and forth to loosen it from the jaw bone and ligaments that hold it in place. Hard-to-pull teeth may need to be removed in pieces.

Once we’ve pulled the tooth, a blood clot is likely to form in the tooth socket. We’ll pack gauze into the socket and have you bite down to stop the bleeding. We’ll stitch the area back up with stitches that are self dissolving.

Avoid Eating Before Your Tooth Extraction

If you are being put completely under, you should avoid eating 12 hours before the surgery. This will prevent nausea before and after the procedure. If it’s a local anesthetic, you might need to fast as long. Talk to your dentist about how you should proceed.

Avoid Smoking Before Your Tooth Extraction

Smoking can slow down the healing process and affect the thinning of your blood. We recommend you don’t smoke at least 12 hours before the tooth extraction and 24 hours after. In fact, this might be a good time for you to quit. If you can quit smoking before this procedure, your ability to recover will substantially improve.

Going Under? You’ll Need a Drive Home

If you are being put under during your tooth extraction, keep in mind you will be groggy following the surgery. You’ll need a ride home. Even local anesthesia can impair your driving reflexes. Arrange for a friend or family member to drive for you. If all else fails, you can always take an Uber.

Self Care After Getting Your Tooth Pulled

Go easy on yourself following the tooth extraction. Eat soft foods so you don’t have to chew or bite anything hard. We recommend yogurt, protein drinks, smoothies, and soup.

You’ll want to avoid drinking through straws, rinsing out your mouth, or spitting. This can lead to dry mouth and dry your socket out.