Removing a tooth is a last resort rather than a first one, but when it is the right call the procedure itself is usually far less dramatic than people expect.
Before
An x-ray shows the shape of the roots and their relationship to the nerve and sinus. Tell us about medications — blood thinners and bisphosphonates in particular change how an extraction is planned, and that conversation needs to happen beforehand.
If the prospect is what is stopping you, sedation is available and commonly used for extractions.
On the day
The area is fully numbed first. A straightforward extraction is mostly a matter of widening the socket gently and easing the tooth out — pressure is what you feel, not pain. A surgical extraction, used when a tooth is broken at the gum line or impacted, involves a small incision and sometimes removing the tooth in sections.
The first 24 hours
A blood clot forms in the socket, and protecting it is the whole job of the first day. That means no rinsing, no spitting, no straws and no smoking — the suction involved in all four can dislodge it.
Bite gently on the gauze for as long as you are asked to, use a cold compress on the outside of the face, and stay upright rather than lying flat. Soft, cool foods. Nothing hot.
The following days
From the second day, a gentle warm salt-water rinse helps keep the area clean. Brush the rest of your mouth as normal while avoiding the socket itself. Swelling usually peaks around day two and settles from there.
What comes next
Unless it was a wisdom tooth, the gap needs a plan. The bone that held the root begins to resorb once it is gone, and that process is easier to work with earlier than later — which is worth knowing if an implant is a possibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Does having a tooth out hurt?+
The area is fully numbed first, so what you feel is pressure rather than pain. Soreness afterwards is normal for a few days and usually manages well with over-the-counter pain relief.
Why can I not use a straw afterwards?+
Suction can dislodge the blood clot forming in the socket, which is what protects the bone underneath while it heals. The same applies to spitting, vigorous rinsing and smoking in the first 24 hours.
How long does healing take?+
The gum surface typically closes over within a couple of weeks, while the bone underneath continues remodelling for months. Swelling usually peaks around the second day and settles after that.
Cavities develop gradually, not overnight. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugars and starches, producing acids that pull minerals from your enamel. Saliva repairs some damage, but frequent acid attacks overwhelm it, and plaque lets bacteria attack the tooth directly. Left unchecked, decay progresses from the enamel into the dentin, pulp, and eventually an abscess. Good hygiene, diet, and regular dental visits keep cavities preventable.