How Painful is a Simple Extraction?

One of the things we hear most commonly from patients is that they are afraid of the pain that can accompany dental procedures. We completely understand this fear. A procedure that gives many people apprehension is tooth extraction, or the removal of a tooth. It is important to know that if you need to have a tooth removed, and maybe have been putting it off due to this fear, that a simple extraction is a relatively quick process that is accompanied by a bit of soreness afterwards, but the procedure is painless due to the use of anesthesia.

Forms of Dental Anesthesia and Sedation

Many dental procedures use local anesthesia, and this is true of a simple tooth extraction as well. TO numb the extraction site, your dentist will first apply topical anesthesia to the area around your tooth. Once this is numb, you dentist will then apply the local anesthesia, which is delivered through a very small shot. It may be necessary to inject more than one spot in your mouth to ensure that you are completely numb.

Pain After the Extraction

While there is no pain during the extraction, once the anesthesia wears off, you may experience a bit of soreness in your jaw and your mouth following the procedure. This is completely normal and can be expected to last a few days to a week. The best way to avoid soreness is to follow our aftercare instructions closely. In most cases, your dentist will recommend using over the counter pain medications if you experience any soreness.

Aftercare of an Extraction

Cleaning

It is important to keep your mouth clean and free of as much debris as possible after an extraction. You should avoid directly using a toothbrush on the extraction site, as this may cause it to rupture the stitches, leading to bleeding and compromising the healing process. However, it is important to carefully brush and floss the rest of the areas in your mouth afterwards, as this will help keep your mouth free of debris that could get stuck in the extraction site and cause complications and added pain.

 Rest

One of the best ways to manage pain and soreness after an extraction is to rest. Don’t try to do too much on the day of your procedure.

Choose the right nutrition

Good nutrition is always a good idea, but especially when your body is healing. It is important not to eat foods that are too hard, cold, crunchy, or hot after an extraction. These foods may cause extra discomfort to your mouth.

Avoid alcohol and smoking

Tobacco use in the form of smoking and vaping will impede your body’s ability to heal from the extraction. If you are a tobacco user, we recommend quitting before your procedure and avoiding smoking for at least 4 four after it. In addition, alcohol use can thin your blood, which can harm the blood clot that forms and cause painful dry sockets at the extraction site.

In Conclusion

Tooth extraction doesn't hurt. In fact, no procedure, done correctly, in dentistry hurts because local anesthesia is applied, which prevents any sensation of pain. Many people expect that they will feel pain, but this is not reality. You will have some soreness afterwards, but this can be managed by taking over the counter pain medications and through following our aftercare directions. Make an appointment with us today and we can take care of your smile and make you comfortable while doing so!

Simple Extraction Steps