What Does a Tooth Extraction Feel Like?

Whether you have to undergo a planned or emergency tooth extraction, this procedure might seem intimidating — especially if you have never experienced it before! The good news is that the entire process is much easier than most patients expect. What does a tooth extraction feel like? This blog post walks you through what you can expect.

Before Your Extraction

Before your dentist begins the extraction process, your care team will take steps to enhance your comfort. They should apply plenty of local anesthetic. This may be in the form of numbing injections; you may feel a pinch during this process, but the discomfort should last for only a moment. After the anesthetic takes effect, that portion of your mouth should not be able to experience any pain.

During Your Extraction

The anesthetic will prevent you from feeling pain, but it does not block pressure signals. Therefore, you may notice a tugging or pulling sensation as your care team grips the tooth with forceps and wiggles it free of your mouth. This process is tolerable for most patients, but if you believe the numbing agent is not working as well as it should, or if the pressure sensations get a bit overwhelming, let your dental team know. They can pause for a moment or adjust their technique in an effort to be a bit gentler. They want you to be comfortable, so do not hesitate to communicate with them!

After Your Extraction

After your extraction, you can expect to experience a bit of bleeding and some soreness, especially after the numbing agent wears off. There should not be any severe pain, and you can manage discomfort by taking some simple steps. For example, you can:

• Take appropriate doses of over-the-counter pain medication.
• Eat a soft diet.
• Apply a cold pack to the side of your face for 15 minutes at a time.
• Get plenty of rest, and keep your head elevated.
• Keep up with good oral hygiene, but be very careful around the extraction sight.
• Avoid the use of any tobacco products.
• Follow any other post-treatment instructions from your dentist.

Most patients return to feeling normal within a few days to a couple of weeks after their procedure. (The recovery time for a simple extraction is shorter than that of surgical extractions.) If you have questions or experience unusual symptoms during your recovery, reach out to your dental team so they can offer guidance.

A tooth extraction is not as scary as most people think! Even though it might cause temporary discomfort, it can end a terrible toothache and reward you with a healthier smile.

Meet the Practice

Dr. David Weinman is a highly skilled and experienced dentist who is proud to serve the Westfield community. He performs gentle tooth extractions in a comfortable environment, and he offers state-of-the-art tooth replacement with dental implants. To learn more about Dr. Weinman or to request an appointment with our team, contact our office at 908-654-7200.