Many people develop anxiety around major dental procedures, like tooth extractions, if they’re scared it might hurt. However, if you’re overly afraid, you might avoid undergoing a treatment needed to preserve your dental health.
It’s natural to worry that having a troublesome tooth removed will cause aches, but your dentist will do everything they can to help you feel comfortable and relaxed throughout our appointment. Continue reading to learn more about what you can expect your tooth extraction to feel like!
What Happens During Tooth Extractions?
You’re not alone if you’re nervous about an upcoming tooth extraction because you’re unsure what to anticipate. Understanding more about what happens during your appointment can alleviate your nerves so you can move forward more confidently.
First, your dental team will apply a local anesthetic to numb the area. Then, your provider will gently lift the tooth from its socket using a special instrument called an elevator. This loosens it so that it can be more easily grasped with forceps and gently wiggled free from its socket.
More severe cases might require a surgical extraction, which involves creating a small opening in your gums to access the roots of the affected tooth. Then, it may need to be broken into smaller pieces to be removed without damaging your jawbone.
Will My Tooth Extraction Hurt?
It’s normal to worry that your upcoming procedure will hurt, but your dentist will do everything they can to help you feel comfortable and relaxed throughout your procedure. As a result, most patients report feeling pressure during their extraction, but not outright pain.
If for some reason using a local anesthetic is insufficient, many dentists also offer different options for sedation to help you complete your visit successfully. For instance, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is considered safe for most people and is inhaled through a gas mask placed on your nose while your dentist works. Or you might do better with oral conscious sedation, which is prescribed as a pill that you’ll be instructed to take about an hour before your appointment. That way, the effects of the medication kick in before your procedure begins.
Does Tooth Extraction Recovery Hurt?
After your tooth is removed, your mouth must form a blood clot over the site to shield the recently exposed nerves and bone tissue from bacteria in your mouth. If it is damaged or dislodged, you might develop a throbbing side effect known as dry socket.
Many post-op instructions are intended to preserve this clot so you can recover as quickly as possible without complications. For example, you’ll need to avoid overly hard, crunchy, or hot foods, steer clear of activities that elevate your heart rate or blood pressure, and drink plenty of water directly from a cup or bottle to avoid sucking through a straw.
It’s normal to feel mild to moderate tenderness or inflammation after your extraction, but this typically dissipates after a few days to a week. If you experience stabbing or throbbing aches that persist or worsen, contact your dentist so they can ensure you’re healing as intended.
Meet the Author
Dr. David Thomas is passionate about helping improve patients’ lives by enhancing their dental health. He earned his dental doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh before completing his AEGD Residency at the Maricopa Institute of Health Services Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. Today, he’s a member of several renowned institutions, including the American Dental Association, so you can trust that your smile is in good hands. Whether you need basic preventive care or a more complex treatment, like an extraction, he has the experience and state-of-the-art equipment to help. Plus, he offers two options for sedation so you’ll feel relaxed throughout your procedure. You can request an appointment on the website or call (206) 244-4622.
