From preparation steps that prevent complications to recovery mistakes that lead to infections, here’s what really matters before, during, and after your tooth extraction.
Getting a tooth pulled sounds scary, especially when you don't know what to expect or how to prepare properly, the dentists at Monahan Family and Cosmetic Dentistry say. Dental experts see patients every day who make simple mistakes that turn their recovery into a nightmare.
This guide walks you through exactly what works and what causes problems before, during, and after your extraction.
Dentists pull teeth for serious decay, infections, crowding problems, or gum disease that has destroyed the tooth beyond repair.
Before your extraction, you need to tell your dentist about every medication you take, including vitamins and supplements that might cause extra bleeding. Stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, and blood-thinning supplements at least one day before your appointment.
Skip food and drinks for eight hours before surgery if you're getting sedation, and arrange for someone to drive you home. Wear loose clothes with sleeves that roll up easily in case they need to start an IV. Stock your kitchen with soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, soup, and pudding before your appointment.
In addition, smoking and drinking alcohol make your gums more sensitive, which increases pain during and after the extraction. Skip coffee on appointment day to reduce discomfort during the procedure.
The dentist numbs the area completely with shots so you only feel pressure without sharp pain. They use special tools to loosen the tooth in its socket before gently removing it from your jawbone. The procedure usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on which tooth they're removing.
After pulling the tooth, the dentist packs the empty socket with gauze to stop bleeding and help form a clot. You need to bite down firmly on that gauze for at least 30 to 60 minutes to keep steady pressure there.
The blood clot that forms in the empty socket protects the bone and nerves while new tissue grows. Rest with your head propped up on pillows for the first day to reduce swelling. Apply ice packs to your cheek for ten minutes at a time to manage pain.
Take your pain medicine as directed, and eat something first to avoid stomach upset. Hard, crunchy, or chewy foods like chips, steak, candy, and raw vegetables damage the healing spot. Drinking through straws pulls the blood clot out, which causes serious problems and more pain.
There’s a need to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol after your extraction too, as these slow healing and increase your risk of dry socket or infection. Spitting or swishing water vigorously for the first three days knocks the clot loose. Stick with soft foods and liquids for at least one week.
Start brushing your teeth the day after surgery, but avoid the extraction spot for several days. After three days, rinse gently with warm salt water to keep the area clean. Call your dentist immediately if you develop a fever, bleeding that won't stop, or worsening pain.
Some people think about yanking their own teeth at home to save money or avoid going to the dentist. This is hands down the most dangerous thing you can do, and it causes way worse problems than you started with. Home tooth removal almost always leaves infected pieces of root stuck deep in your jawbone that need surgery later.
Your mouth has major blood vessels and nerves that you can easily damage if you don't know what you're doing. Heavy bleeding from a damaged blood vessel can become life-threatening and land you in the hospital needing emergency surgery. Nerve damage causes permanent numbness, tingling, or pain in your jaw, lips, tongue, and face that never goes away.
Bacteria from dirty tools or unwashed hands cause bad infections that spread fast through your jawbone into your bloodstream. These infections require hospital stays with IV antibiotics and sometimes surgery to drain them and prevent serious complications. The tooth usually breaks during home removal attempts, leaving sharp pieces stuck in your gums that hurt and get infected.
Dentists use sterile tools, proper numbing shots, and years of training to remove teeth safely without damaging anything nearby. Professional extraction costs way less than fixing the horrible complications that happen when you try doing it yourself.
Following your dentist's exact instructions gives you the best shot at healing quickly without any serious complications popping up. Most extractions heal up completely within three to six weeks, letting you eat normally and do everything without restrictions. Schedule a visit with experienced dental providers who handle tooth removals regularly if you're dealing with tooth pain or damage that might need extraction.
