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Preparing for a tooth extraction
Tooth extraction procedure: what to expect before, during and after.
Before your tooth extraction
Your dentist will assess your affected tooth and surrounding gums. Your dentist will also take dental X-rays to check bone levels and determine the extent of damage. Be sure to tell your dentist about any medications, vitamins or supplements you’re taking. Once all information is gathered, treatment and sedation options will be discussed with you in detail.
Before your scheduled tooth extraction, you should:
What are my sedation options in dentistry
Sedation is an excellent option for people who have dental anxiety — or for those who simply want to be more comfortable during their appointment. Sedation medications used in dentistry include:
- Nitrous oxide. Known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is a gas that you inhale through a mask or nosepiece. It’s a good option for people who need light level sedation. People who choose nitrous oxide can drive themselves to and from their appointments.
- Oral conscious sedation. This type of sedation is given by mouth, usually in pill form, about an hour before your dental appointment. Oral conscious sedation can be used on its own or in combination with nitrous oxide or intravenous sedation. People who choose oral conscious sedation will need a friend or family member to drive them to and from their appointment.
- Intravenous (IV) sedation. This is recommended for people with significant dental anxiety or for those undergoing lengthy procedures. Sedative and pain medications are delivered directly to your bloodstream using an IV line. IV sedation is the highest level of sedation that can be obtained in a dental office setting. People who choose IV sedation will need to make arrangements for a driver the day of their procedure.
What happens during a tooth extraction?
First, local anesthesia is given to numb your affected tooth and surrounding gum tissue. Using specialized dental instruments, your dentist will gently loosen your tooth and carefully lift it from its socket.
Sometimes, your dentist might need to make incisions in your gums to access your tooth — especially if your tooth is badly decayed or has broken off at the gum line.
Once your tooth is removed, the socket is cleaned and disinfected.
In some cases, your dentist may also place a dental bone graft, which helps prevent bone loss in your jaw. Finally, stitches may be placed to help promote healing.
What happens after a tooth extraction?
When the procedure is complete, your dentist will place a piece of gauze over the extraction site and ask you to close down with firm, steady pressure. This helps slow bleeding so a blood clot can form. (Clotting is a normal aspect of recovery. It promotes healing and reduces the risk of dry sockets.) You’ll take the gauze out once the bleeding has slowed enough. You may continue to have light bleeding throughout the first 24 hours.
Tooth extraction healing
First 24 hours
- Get plenty of rest and limit physical activity.
- Stick to a diet of liquids and soft foods.
- Do not use a straw, smoke, or suck on candy or lollipops. The sucking motion can disturb the clot that is forming at the extraction site.
- Avoid drinking hot liquids or alcohol or using mouthwash that contains alcohol.
- Apply an icepack or cold, damp washcloth to your face to help reduce swelling.
Day 2
- Add other foods to your diet as tolerated.
- Chew on the opposite side of your mouth as the extraction. After a few days, gradually begin to chew on both sides.
- Begin cleaning the teeth next to the extracted tooth site.
- Gently rinse your mouth with saltwater after meals to help keep the healing tooth socket clean.
- Resist playing with the healing gum, which could disrupt the clot and cause a dry socket. A dry socket can cause severe pain and lead to other complications.
When to call your dentist
Call your Radix Dentistry office immediately if you experience any of the following:
✓ Signs of infection, like fever and chills
✓ Bad breath or taste in your mouth
✓ Nausea or vomiting
✓ Severe pain, swelling or bleeding
✓ Cough, shortness of breath or chest pain
✓ Pain that gets worse after the procedure
Your tooth extraction questions answered
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How long does it take to recover from a tooth extraction?
Medical references and resources
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Caring for you throughout your tooth extraction
Still have questions about what to expect before, during and after your procedure? We’re here to help—and walk you through it every step of the way.
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10960 E Crystal Falls Pkwy Building 1, Suite 150
Leander, TX 78641