How Can Tooth Extraction be Done Painlessly in 2022?

• The tooth is so sick that it cannot be saved, it is “lost”
• Periodontitis has caused the teeth to loosen and have no attachment left, they are “lost”
• As part of treatment with braces
• One has supernumerary teeth (too many)
• As part of infection prevention treatment ahead of other hospital treatment

As a rule, we recommend that all our patients keep their natural teeth as far as possible. If the patient wants to extract the tooth due to price of other treatments, we try as far as possible to find alternative solutions.

How do you plan a tooth extraction?

First, there must be a diagnosis (a reason on which the tooth is extracted). The patient must of course also choose the current treatment. You must then have an X-ray of the tooth to know how many roots it has, how it is shaped and how it lies in relation to other structures.

You get good information in advance of the treatment about what you can expect during the process. Remember to eat before the treatment, as you are not allowed to eat or drink three hours after tooth extraction (more on this below).After the treatment, you should not plan any intensive activities for the first few days, but have the opportunity to take it easy.

Does tooth extraction hurt?

Tooth extraction should be completely painless. The dentist applies anesthetic and checks that you are well anaesthetized before the treatment begins. If for some reason you need more anesthesia during the procedure, it is important that you let us know.

How do you pull a tooth?

A tooth has two parts: a crown and a root. The crown is the part we see, which sits above the gums. The root makes up two-thirds of the total length of the tooth. Incisors and molars have different numbers of roots. The root attaches to the bone with small fibers (threads).

After the anesthetic has taken full effect, the dentist will begin to loosen the threads. With various instruments, the tooth is gently moved until it is ready to be lifted out.  If the tooth has several roots at different angles, it is often more gentle to split the tooth. The crown is then separated from the root(s), and each piece is lifted out separately.As a rule, you do not need sutures (stitches) after a normal tooth extraction. It usually works to bite on a bite compress.

Sutures are obtained if the tooth has to be surgically extracted. This means that you lift the gums a little to get a better view and in that way can remove the tooth more quickly. You can read more about dental surgery here.

After tooth extraction

After the treatment, it is important for the body to repair the area. If it is allowed to grow in peace, the hole where the root was inserted will fill with blood, which eventually hardens and eventually turns into bone that is covered with soft tissue. For as fast a healing as possible, it is important to follow these points:

• Remove any bite compress after 30 minutes.
• Take pain-relieving tablet(s) according to instructions from the dentist with some water as soon as possible.
• Do not eat, drink, spit or rinse your mouth for 3 hours after the treatment.
• When you eat, eat cold and soft food.
• Do not smoke or otherwise use tobacco, alcohol or other drugs.

If you follow this advice, you will have a good transition when the anesthetic wears off, 45 minutes – 2 hours later. You also reduce the risk of getting an inflammation in the area.

Here we have collected some common questions and answers:

Does it hurt after tooth extraction?

You will be tender in the area, which you may notice when the anesthetic wears off. By taking painkillers before the anesthetic wears off, the transition will be more comfortable. Follow our instructions for any painkillers for the first few days.  Pulling a tooth is kind of like a workout. The first day the body does not understand what has happened, the second day you are a little sore. On the third day, you are a little stiffer, and then get better.

Is bleeding after tooth extraction common?

A little bleeding in the first day is not unusual. It is often perceived as more blood than it is, as it is mixed with saliva. It is important that the place where the root sat is filled with blood and that it is left untouched. Removing it, by sucking, spitting or poking, is the most common reason for pain after treatment.

If you think it’s bleeding more than it should, take a bite compress and bite into place over the area. Bite for half an hour. Do not rinse with water. Contact your dentist if the bleeding does not stop.

When can I eat after having a tooth extracted?

Three hours after the draw, you can start drinking and eating carefully again. For the first three days, remember to choose food that is soft (gentle to the mouth) and lukewarm/cold (does not increase the risk of bleeding). Some people prefer to eat liquid food, such as cold soup or yogurt. Do not use a straw as this can cause the blood where the tooth was attached to loosen.

What do I have to think about in connection with oral hygiene after tooth extraction?

Good oral hygiene helps healing. Brush your teeth as usual, but avoid the area. Be careful when spitting. If necessary, use a disinfectant rinse from day two or as instructed by the dentist. The best way for mouth ulcers to heal is to leave them alone. Follow the instructions here for the fastest healing.

Will I be swollen after tooth extraction?

After tooth extraction, it is unusual for you to be very swollen. However, extensive surgical treatment can cause swelling in the mouth and face. The swelling, which often peaks after two days, is the body’s way of speeding up healing.

To reduce the risk of swelling, you can place ice packs against the face. The ice pack must be used for 15 minutes at a time, with a 15-minute break, and only on the day of the operation. Make an ice pack by placing ice cubes in a plastic bag that you close and cover with a towel.

Will I bruise afterwards?

Bruising after tooth extraction is unusual. Still, there are some who get it on their face or neck/chin. This often applies to elderly patients and patients on blood-thinning medication. This is harmless and often goes away on its own within a week.

Can I gape afterwards?

In the first days after the tooth extraction, it may be sore when you gape. This is completely normal. Some may also develop a swelling – which is not an inflammation but part of the healing process – which makes it more difficult to gape. This is also normal.

Sometimes the muscles can become stiff after tooth extraction, this is most common when wisdom teeth are removed in the lower jaw. With muscle stiffness, it is common to have a reduced ability to gape. This usually passes within 1-2 weeks. Take any painkillers (NSAID, e.g. Ibux which is anti-inflammatory) and eat soft food. If you feel that it takes too long to gape normally again, contact your dentist.

Is fever afterwards dangerous?

As part of the healing process, it is completely normal for the temperature to rise slightly during the first day. It is therefore important to take it easy. Contact your dentist if the temperature continues to rise on day two. Within 4 to 7 days, all symptoms after the tooth extraction should be gone.

It hurts?

A little tenderness in the area after tooth extraction is common. If you have pain after a tooth extraction, there is a risk that you have developed an inflammation where the tooth has been. It is most common after the extraction of wisdom teeth and occurs on day 2-4 after the tooth extraction.In the mouth, you see an empty or half-empty hole where the tooth used to be. You can also get bad breath. Then contact your dentist for an appointment. The dentist applies anaesthetic, cleans the area and gives painkillers.

Can I smoke?

Avoid smoking. Use of tobacco results in poorer healing and increases the risk of pain and/or problems afterwards. The same applies to vaping/e-cigarettes and hookahs.

Can I have a sniff?

This should be avoided for the same reason as smoking.

Can I drink alcohol?

Alcohol should definitely not be combined with painkillers. In addition, alcohol has a blood-thinning and vasodilating effect that can increase the risk of bleeding. If you have a high alcohol consumption, it can increase the risk of bleeding in connection with tooth extraction. Inform your dentist about this in advance of the treatment.