How Dentists Pull a Tooth: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Procedure and Recovery

Are you worried about getting a tooth pulled soon? Are you wondering how dentists actually take out a tooth and what it will feel like? You’re definitely not alone. I’ve been there before, and I know that knowing what will happen makes things feel much better. This guide will explain why teeth sometimes need to come out, what will happen before, during, and after the extraction, and how you can heal as easily as possible. No need to stress; after reading this, you’ll feel calm, sure of yourself, and ready for your dentist visit!

Table of Contents

Why Do Dentists Need to Pull Teeth?

Let’s start at the beginning: most teeth can stay, and your dentist wants you to keep your own teeth as long as you can! But sometimes, taking one out is the best thing for you.

Common Reasons for Tooth Extraction

• Bad Decay or Infection: If a tooth is too messed up to fix with a filling or crown, pulling it keeps your mouth healthy.
• Stuck Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom teeth often come in the wrong way or get trapped under the gums, which can make things hurt or get infected.
• Too Many Teeth for Braces: Sometimes, pulling a tooth makes space to straighten the others.
• Broken Teeth: If a tooth gets broken below the gum or in a bunch of pieces, it can’t always be saved.
• Gum Disease: Serious gum disease can make teeth loose until they can’t stay in place.

A Real-Life Example

My cousin Sarah had to get a tooth out before she could get braces. She was scared, but the dentist explained everything and helped her calm down. In the end, getting that tooth out gave her room for a better smile.

What Happens Before a Tooth Extraction?

Before pulling a tooth, your dentist wants to be sure you’re safe and comfortable.

First Steps: Exam and X-rays

Your dentist will check your teeth and ask about any problems. You’ll get X-rays to look at the tooth roots and the bone. This helps your dentist see if anything important is close to the tooth.

Checking Your Health and Medicines

Tell your dentist about your health problems, like heart issues, diabetes, or allergies. Let them know if you take blood thinners or any other medicine.

Choosing the Right Numbing Medicine

Most extractions use local anesthesia—only the area around your tooth gets numb. If you’re worried, or if it’s a tricky job, you might get laughing gas, medicine by mouth, or even a medicine through a vein. Full sleep medicine is rare unless it’s a very hard or scary case.

Problem, Agitate, Solution

Problem: You may worry about pain or problems from a tooth pull.

Agitate: If you don’t tell your dentist your health story, you might get bad side effects, bleeding, or pain.

Solution: Being honest with your dentist keeps the extraction safe and almost pain-free.

What Are the Steps of a Tooth Extraction?

Ever wonder what really happens when a dentist pulls a tooth? Let’s go step-by-step so nothing seems scary or strange.

Making the Tooth Numb

First, your dentist gives you a shot to numb the area near the tooth. Sometimes a numbing gel goes on your gum first. In a few minutes, it feels tingly and numb—you won’t hurt, just feel a little pressure.

Loosening the Tooth

Dentists use special tools called elevators to gently wiggle the tooth. This helps break it free from the periodontal ligament (the little fibers holding the tooth to your bone).

Taking Out the Tooth

Once it’s loose, forceps hold the tooth and rock it back and forth until it comes out. Some teeth come out in a minute; back teeth can take longer.

Cleaning and Closing

After the tooth is out, the dentist cleans the hole to make sure there’s nothing bad left behind. Gauze is put in to stop the bleeding, and sometimes the gum gets stitches to help it close up.

Table: Tooth Extraction Tools

What Do You Feel During a Tooth Extraction?

You might wonder: Will it hurt? Here’s what you’ll really notice:

Pressure, Not Pain

Because of the numbing shot, you won’t feel sharp pain. You may notice pressure or moving as the dentist works. You might feel pushing or pulling, but not pain.

Sounds and Sensations

Sometimes you hear a “pop” or “crack” when a tooth gets loose, or you feel wiggling. This is normal! Even though you can’t feel pain, you can feel things moving.

Why I Wasn’t Scared

When I had a tooth pulled last year, I thought it would be terrible. But the numbing made it feel like nothing. The dentist told me what each thing was for, and before I knew it, the tooth was out and I hadn’t felt any pain at all.

What Are Simple vs. Surgical Extractions?

Not every extraction is the same. Let’s talk about the two main types:

Simple Extraction

If your tooth is normal and above the gum, you get a simple extraction. The dentist uses just forceps and elevators to pull it out in one piece.

Surgical Extraction

Teeth that are stuck (like most wisdom teeth), broken, or below the gum need a bigger job.

This might include:

• Cutting the gum (making a little cut)
• Taking out a small bit of bone (bone removal)
• Cutting the tooth in pieces (breaking the tooth up)
• Taking out pieces that broke off (getting the roots out)

Oral surgeons do these more often, but some dentists also can.

Example: Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom teeth often need surgical extraction. My brother went to a dental specialist who used medicine in his vein so he hardly remembered anything and healed quickly.

How Long Does a Tooth Extraction Take?

A big question: “How long will it take?”

For a Simple Tooth

Most normal extractions take about 20-40 minutes. Sometimes, you’ll be done even faster.

For a Surgical Tooth

Surgical removals, like for tough back teeth or wisdom teeth, can take an hour or more. It takes more time for numbing, gentle drilling, and putting in stitches.

Quick Recovery Facts

Don’t plan to do much the rest of the day. Most people feel tired for a few hours, especially if they had medicine to relax.

What Should You Do After the Extraction?

Taking care of your mouth after the tooth comes out is super important. Here’s what to do:

Stop the Bleeding

Bite down hard on the gauze pad for about half an hour. This helps make a blood clot to protect the hole.

Handle the Pain

You’ll probably get pain medicine—it might be something you buy yourself (like ibuprofen) or your dentist might give you a stronger kind. Use ice packs on your cheek to help with swelling.

Eat and Drink Right

On the first day, eat soft foods—like yogurt, mashed potatoes, or smoothies (but no straws!). Don’t drink hot drinks and don’t smoke or spit. This helps you not get dry socket, which is a painful problem if the clot comes out.

Rinse Softly

After a day, rinse with warm saltwater (no mouthwash) a couple of times a day. This keeps the area clean without hurting the new tissue.

How Do You Know If You’re Healing Well?

Everyone wants to heal fast with no problems. Here’s what to look for:

Healing Timeline

• First day: Some bleeding and swelling is normal.
• Days 2-3: Pain and swelling should get better.
• Days 4-7: You should feel much better, eat soft foods, and brush gently.
• 1-2 weeks: The gum closes over, and you’re back to normal.

Most of the gum recovers in a week. Your jawbone will take months to fill in, but you won’t really notice.

When to Call Your Dentist

If you get a fever, see oozing, have pain that gets worse after three days, or keep bleeding—call the dentist. These could be signs of infection or dry socket.

What Problems Can Happen After an Extraction?

Most people heal fine. But here are a few things to know about in case they happen:

Dry Socket

This happens if the blood clot comes out too early. It leaves the hole open, which really hurts. You’ll feel sharp pain, have bad breath, or even see bone in the spot. Dentists can fix it, so call them right away.

Infection

It’s rare, but can happen. You might feel sick, have swelling that won’t stop, or see pus. Your dentist can give you antibiotics.

Nerve Hurt

Very rare. Sometimes, if tooth roots are close to nerves, you might feel numbness or tingling in the lips or tongue, usually only for a while.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long until I’m not numb anymore?

Normally, in 2-4 hours after you leave the dentist. Wait to eat until you can feel your tongue and cheek so you don’t bite yourself.

When can I eat regular food again?

Most people eat soft stuff for 2-3 days. Once you’re not sore and chewing feels fine, you can go back to normal food.

Can I smoke after a tooth comes out?

No. Smoking makes you more likely to get dry socket or infection. Wait at least three days, more if you can.

What is a dry socket, and how can I not get it?

Dry socket is when the clot falls out. Don’t use straws, don’t spit, don’t smoke, and do what your dentist says—this helps you avoid it.

Do I have to put in a new tooth?

That’s up to you, but missing teeth can make the others move around. Ideas include bridges, dentures, or dental implants. Your dentist will talk about options.

Key Points to Remember

• Most tooth pulls are safe and quick with almost no pain, thanks to today’s dentistry.
• Tell your dentist about your health and the medicine you take before you go.
• You’ll feel pressure but not pain during the pull because of strong numbing.
• Good home care helps you heal fast and not have problems.
• Hardly ever, you may feel more pain, bleed a lot, or feel sick—if this happens, call your dentist.
• You don’t have to live with missing teeth! Things like dental bridges and dentures are made by trusted china dental lab teams.
• Talk with your dentist about what kind of replacement is best for you, like crowns, implants, or dentures.

Getting a tooth pulled may sound scary, but almost everyone heals quickly and feels better soon. If you’re worried, talk to your dentist—they want you to feel calm and cared for.

Reviewed by Dr. Joe Dental, DDS

Professional Dentist with 20+ years of practice in tooth pulling and helping patients