What to Expect with a Tooth Extraction: A Simple Guide

Are you worried about getting a tooth pulled out? This guide will help you know what happens before, during, and after a tooth extraction. We will use simple words that are easy to understand.

Why Do Teeth Need to Come Out?

Sometimes teeth need to be pulled out. Here are the main reasons:

• Bad tooth decay that can’t be fixed
• Wisdom teeth that are stuck
• Too many teeth in your mouth
• Bad infection in the tooth
• Gum disease that makes teeth loose

Did you know? About 20% of adults have had at least one tooth pulled out.

Two Kinds of Tooth Pulling

There are two main types of tooth extractions:

1. Simple Extraction

This is for teeth that you can see in your mouth.

• The dentist uses tools called forceps
• It takes about 20-40 minutes
• You stay awake but won’t feel pain

2. Surgical Extraction

This is for teeth that are harder to reach or are broken.

• The oral surgeon cuts your gum
• It may need stitches after
• Sometimes they need to take out bone
• It takes longer than a simple extraction

Getting Ready for Your Tooth Extraction

Here’s what to do to get ready:

One Week Before:

• Tell your dentist about any health problems you have
• Tell them about medicines you take
• Talk about heart problems or diabetes if you have them

Day Before:

• Do not smoke or drink alcohol
• If you will be asleep for the procedure, don’t eat after midnight

Day Of:

• Wear a shirt with loose sleeves
• Bring someone to drive you home if you will get special medicine to make you sleepy
• Ask all your questions before the procedure starts

What Happens During the Tooth Extraction

Here’s what will happen step by step:

1. First, the dentist will give you a shot to make your mouth numb
2. Next, for a simple extraction:
   • The dentist will use tools to loosen your tooth
   • Then they will use forceps to pull the tooth out
3. Or, for a surgical extraction:
   • The surgeon will make a small cut in your gum
   • They might remove some bone around the tooth
   • They may break the tooth into pieces to remove it
4. Last, they may:
   • Put in stitches (some dissolve on their own)
   • Place gauze over the spot to stop bleeding

Most people say it doesn’t hurt during the procedure, but you will feel pressure.

What Happens Right After (First 24 Hours)

Things To Do:

• Bite on gauze for 30 minutes
• Use ice packs on your face (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off)
• Take pain medicine as told by your dentist
• Rest a lot
• Eat soft foods like pudding, yogurt, and soup

Things NOT To Do:

• Don’t use a straw for 7 days
• Don’t smoke or use tobacco for at least 3 days
• Don’t spit forcefully
• Don’t brush the extraction site for 24 hours
• Don’t do hard exercise for 2-3 days

You will have some bleeding, swelling, and soreness. This is normal!

Recovery Timeline

Here’s how long it takes to heal:

Days 1-3:

• Most swelling and pain
• Eat only soft foods
• Blood clot forms in the socket

Days 3-7:

• Swelling starts to go down
• Can eat more types of soft food
• Still need to be careful

Weeks 1-2:

• Stitches dissolve or get removed
• Can do more normal activities
• Still avoid very hard foods

Weeks 3-4:

• Gum tissue mostly healed
• Can eat almost normally

Months 1-6:

• Bone slowly heals completely
• Socket fills in with new bone

Possible Problems After Extraction

Some things can go wrong. Look out for these problems:

Dry Socket

• Happens in 2-5% of people (more in smokers: about 10%)
• Very sharp pain 2-3 days after extraction
• Bad taste or smell in your mouth
• Treatment: Dentist puts in special medicine dressing

Infection

• Fever over 101°F (38°C)
• Bad pain that gets worse
• Pus coming from the socket
• Treatment: Antibiotics from your dentist

Nerve Damage (Rare)

• Numbness in lip, chin, or tongue
• Usually gets better in a few weeks
• Sometimes can last longer

How Much Does It Cost?

The price depends on the type of extraction:

Most insurance plans cover 50-80% of the cost if it’s medically necessary.

Common Questions People Ask

Special Tools Used for Tooth Extraction

Your oral surgeon uses special tools:

• Dental forceps to grab and pull teeth
• Periotome to loosen the tooth
• Elevators to lift the tooth
• Surgical drills for more complex cases

The American Dental Association has guides for dentists on the best ways to pull teeth safely.

What to Eat After a Tooth Extraction

Here are good foods to eat after your extraction:

• Applesauce
• Yogurt
• Pudding
• Mashed potatoes
• Soup (not too hot)
• Scrambled eggs
• Ice cream (avoid cones)
• Smoothies (eat with a spoon, not a straw)

Make sure all foods are soft and not too hot or spicy.

How to Take Care of the Extraction Site

To help your mouth heal faster:

1. Gently rinse with salt water after 24 hours
2. Keep the area clean
3. Use ice packs to reduce swelling
4. Take pain medicine as directed
5. Avoid hard or crunchy foods
6. Don’t use straws or smoke
7. Rest a lot in the first few days

If your dentist used stitches, they might be the kind that dissolve on their own or ones that need to be removed.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth are a special kind of extraction:

• Most people have their wisdom teeth pulled between ages 17-25
• About 35% of adults have at least one impacted wisdom tooth
• About 10 million wisdom teeth are removed each year in the US
• Recovery usually takes 5-7 days

Sometimes custom dental guard devices are recommended after wisdom teeth removal to protect other teeth if you grind your teeth at night.

When Bone Grafts Are Needed

Sometimes after an extraction, your dentist might put in a bone graft:

• Helps keep the jawbone from shrinking
• Makes it easier to place a dental implant later
• Uses special bone materials to help your own bone grow
• Takes about 3-6 months to fully heal

If you’re planning to get a dental implant to replace the extracted tooth, a bone graft is often needed.

Options After a Tooth Extraction

After healing, you have options to replace the missing tooth:

1. Dental implant: A metal post put in your jaw with a crown on top
2. Bridge: A fake tooth attached to teeth on either side
3. Partial denture: A removable replacement tooth
4. Nothing: Leave the space empty (not always recommended)

For front teeth, many people choose ceramic veneers for nearby teeth to improve their smile after healing completely.

Special Cases: Extractions for Children

Tooth extractions for kids are a bit different:

• Usually for baby teeth that won’t fall out on their own
• The procedure is quicker (usually 15-20 minutes)
• Recovery is often faster than for adults
• Special sedation options may be used for anxious children

Preparing Your Home for After the Extraction

Before your extraction, set up your home:

• Have soft foods ready in your fridge
• Get your pain medicine filled ahead of time
• Have lots of gauze at home
• Set up a comfortable spot to rest
• Get ice packs ready in the freezer
• Have entertainment ready (movies, books)

Summary

Getting a tooth pulled might seem scary, but now you know what to expect:

1. Your dentist will make sure you’re comfortable and numb
2. The procedure itself is quick
3. You’ll have some discomfort for a few days after
4. Most people heal completely within a few weeks
5. Following instructions helps you heal faster with fewer problems

Remember to follow your dentist’s advice and call them if you have any concerns. Most people have a smooth recovery without problems!