We always try to save the tooth but in some cases, it is not possible, and tooth extraction is the best choice for the patient. This happens most frequently with wisdom tooth extractions and is always performed under anaesthetic to make the experience as comfortable as possible. Let’s answer the question: does tooth extraction hurt?
When Are Tooth Extractions Required?
Tooth removal may be necessary if you have
- A very deep infection
- Severe gum disease
- Orthodontics
- Problems with your wisdom teeth
- A broken tooth
For some people, impacted wisdom teeth present with a problem: they may not always have enough space in the jaw because they are the last teeth in the mouth to arrive. Your dentist will take x rays and physically inspect your wisdom teeth to forecast if they may present with future problems. If no problem is obvious, your dentist will leave them alone.
So, Does Tooth Extraction Hurt?
The reasons for your tooth extractions may cause pain in your mouth: deep infections and gum disease may be sore and cause swelling. A broken tooth may also be painful and impacted wisdom teeth may bring complications too. The pain is symptomatic of a problem, and your dentist aims to solve that problem through tooth removal (and sometimes a course of antibiotics).
Before your dentist performs the tooth extraction he or she will numb the surrounding area with a local anaesthetic so that you do not feel pain. It’s normal to feel the pressure of the tooth being worked on during the tooth extraction, but you should not feel sensation because of the anaesthetic. Once any infected material has been removed, the source of the pain should be gone.
What About After Tooth Extractions?
Once the anaesthetic has worn off you may feel some discomfort and swelling at the site but this pain is mild and manageable. Some patients find that simply not chewing on that side of the mouth for the first day and rinsing with salt water is enough to feel comfortable. Other patients find a mild over the counter pain medicine to be helpful as they recover from the extraction.
Any new or worsening pain should be reported to your dentist as soon as possible as it is a sign of an infection. It’s also important that you follow your dentist’s care instructions and take care not to dislodge the blood clot that will form at the site. This condition is called a dry socket and can cause very intense pain that takes a long time to heal.
Make sure you do not touch the site with your finger or tongue and do not brush the area for the first 24 hours as you could introduce bacteria to the site. If you experience a fever or a lot of bleeding, you should contact your dentist as soon as possible.
The prospect of ‘does tooth extraction hurt’ should not deter you from treatment as tooth decay can only get worse with time. Please contact us as soon as possible regarding a tooth extraction: (02) 4210 9078.
