When you need your first emergency tooth extraction, you’ll likely feel a bit unsettled. You won’t know what to expect from the procedure, whether it’s the start, finish, or anything in between. Indeed, you may even ask yourself a key question: What does a tooth extraction feel like? With all that said, you’re in luck; your Chicago dentist is here to offer some answers. Keep reading to learn what a tooth extraction involves, what it feels like, and how to reduce its post-treatment pain.
What’s Involved in a Tooth Extraction?
You’ll need to grasp what tooth extractions involve before anything else. That way, the explanation of what they feel like will make sense to you.
A standard tooth extraction follows several steps:
- Exposure: To remove your tooth, the dentist must first see it properly. That sight just requires looking at its visible crown for a simple extraction, while a surgical one will reveal the tooth with a gum incision.
- Removal: A dentist removes your tooth with dental forceps and elevators once they can see it. While doing so, they may also extract bone fragments or spurts.
- Closing of Incision: After the removal, the dentist cleans and stitches the treatment site. This work reduces the risk of your gums getting infected.
- Control of Bleeding: The dentist puts gauze over the extraction site when treatment ends, and they instruct you to bite it. Biting the material eases post-treatment bleeding.
What Does the Extraction Feel Like?
While certainly invasive, tooth extraction doesn’t actually cause pain or discomfort. It should feel smooth and painless to you, with the only “big” sensation being a slight pressure.
The key point is that the dentist will numb your mouth before treatment. More specifically, they’ll apply a topical anesthetic to keep your teeth, gums, and other mouth tissues from aching during care. The only thing you might really feel is the “bite” of the needle from the anesthesia injection. Otherwise, you’ll only sense some pressure as the dental team works to remove your tooth.
Can You Ease Post-Extraction Pain?
Your mouth may feel sore post-extraction, as your anesthesia will eventually wear off. You can manage this ache by doing the following:
- Only eat soft foods for the first few days after treatment. (Examples include soup, yogurt, etc.) After the extraction site heals enough, you can switch back to solids.
- As necessary, take prescribed or store-bought pain medication.
- Don’t touch the extraction site when brushing or flossing in the days after treatment.
Now that you know what a tooth extraction feels like, please rest assured. You can go into your upcoming treatment confidently!
About the Practice
United Dental Centers of Chicago is based in Chicago, IL. Led by five phenomenal dentists, our practice makes a point of tailoring every preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatment to you. You’re thus ensured to get phenomenal results, whatever might ail your teeth or gums. Not even dental emergencies will stop us, as we offer urgent care procedures like tooth extractions! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (773)-646-6262.