A tooth extraction is a dental procedure that removes a diseased or damaged tooth. The goal is to prevent infection from spreading to other teeth and tissues. It can also relieve pain and improve the appearance of the mouth.

During the tooth extraction process, your dentist will first numb the tooth and jaw bone with local anesthetic. For a more complicated removal, they may give you intravenous anesthesia. This can range from conscious sedation to general anesthesia, which will put you to sleep. If they plan to use general anesthesia, you must arrange transportation home from the office afterward.

The dentist will then rock the tooth back and forth to widen the socket for extraction. They will then use forceps to grasp the tooth and pull it out of the socket. Once the tooth is removed, the socket will be closed with sutures. They will then clean out the remaining socket and smooth any rough edges of bone.

Reasons for Tooth Extraction

There are many reasons a dentist might recommend pulling your tooth, including severe decay or damage that cannot be repaired with fillings or crowns. A tooth can become infected if bacteria enters the pulp, which contains blood vessels and nerves. If the infection is too serious to be treated with antibiotics or root canal therapy (RCT), tooth extraction may be necessary.

The biggest thing to remember during recovery is to avoid disturbing the blood clot that forms in the empty socket. This can cause dry socket, which is extremely painful and delays healing. You should not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke or brush the area near the extraction site. It is also important to eat soft foods and gradually increase the amount of solid food as the extraction site heals. Rinsing the mouth with salt water several times daily can help prevent infection and promote healing.