Yes, a dentist can pull a painful tooth, and the goal is to make it pain-free by using strong local anesthetics, though you'll still feel pressure; if pain is severe due to infection, they might treat the infection first before extracting to ensure safety and effective numbing, but often they can proceed with extraction, sometimes with sedation or general anesthesia for complex cases, to relieve your discomfort.
While dentists generally avoid pulling an infected tooth, sometimes it's necessary for your oral health. Many patients may wait until their symptoms and discomfort are too hard to ignore. Your dentist will freeze your mouth or sedate you, remove the infected tooth, and drain the abscess to remove the infection.
Because doing so without managing the infection can lead to more serious complications, like the infection spreading or even causing systemic issues.
Minor to Moderate Decay, Cavities, or Infections
Most decay-related tooth problems do not require tooth extraction. Most cavities can be easily treated with a simple filling. More advanced decay or infections can typically be treated with root canal therapy.
Myth #1: Tooth Extractions Are Extremely Painful
However, dentists and oral surgeons use local anesthesia to numb the area completely. You may feel slight pressure but no pain during the procedure. For more complex cases, sedation options can make the experience even more comfortable.
On a scale of 1-10, most patients experience pain levels of 2-4 during and after a routine extraction. The pain usually peaks within 24 hours and decreases thereafter.
Usually tooth removal is straightforward and takes a few minutes. You should not feel pain during the procedure but you will feel pressure and hear noises. If any stitches are needed these will dissolve in about 2-4 weeks. Keep the area very clean while it heals - your dentist will tell you how best to do this.
The 3-3-3 rule for toothache is a temporary pain management strategy: take 3 ibuprofen (200mg each) three times a day for 3 days, but 3 hours apart (or every 8 hours), to reduce inflammation and pain until you can see a dentist; it's crucial to consult a doctor first, especially with underlying conditions, as it's not a cure but a short-term fix for inflammation.
If you have limited jaw mobility, large sinuses, or your teeth are positioned in a way that prevents a general dentist from being able to perform the tooth extraction; then an oral surgeon may be an option to do the procedure as well.
A dead tooth can stay for days, weeks, months, or even years in your mouth. The exact time can depend on the nature of the damage and how soon you seek treatment.
Antibiotics may be administered as a large single dose prior to the extraction, or as a course of antibiotics taken over the postoperative period, or some combination of these. In addition, adverse effects such as diarrhoea or allergy due to antibiotics are also possible.
Symptoms
Our consensus is no. You'll get rid of the problem's source and be pain-free faster when the tooth is pulled. However, if the swelling is such that it makes it hard to open your mouth wide enough for removal, you would take antibiotics first to bring the swelling down.
Dental Nerve: How to Stop Tooth Pain Fast
There can be many reasons why a dentist won't pull an acutely infected tooth. To an extent, it all comes down to the risk of spreading the infection. In some cases, a tooth may appear to be the cause of a problem; however, the origin of the pain may be much more widespread or deep-set.
It's important to note that the nerve itself is not “cut out” during the procedure. Instead, the entire tooth—including the nerve—is removed as part of the extraction process. The nerve doesn't stay behind in the tooth socket.
If you say that you are brushing your teeth all the time or that you do not drink soda or eat sweets, these little lies that many Americans tell can hurt your dental care. It can stop your dentist from making the best plan to help you take care of your teeth and gums.
It's important to understand why dentists often avoid pulling an infected tooth on the first visit. Infected teeth can cause significant pain and swelling, but extracting a tooth in such a state can lead to complications. Immediate extraction may not be the best approach because it could spread the infection.
The 2-2-2 rule in dentistry is a simple guideline for good oral hygiene: brush twice a day, for two minutes each time, and visit your dentist twice a year, helping to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems by establishing consistent habits for plaque removal and professional monitoring.
The timeline depends on the cause and severity of damage. For minor decay, the nerve may take weeks to die. For severe trauma or infection, it could die within days.
See a dentist if you have toothache:
that lasts more than 2 days. that does not go away when you take painkillers. with a high temperature, pain when you bite, red gums, or a bad taste in your mouth. and your cheek or jaw is swollen.
The LI4 (Hegu) Point
The LI4, also known as Hegu, is one of the most commonly utilized acupressure points. Located on the hand, it's believed to help alleviate a variety of pains, including headaches and toothaches. The LI4 point is situated on the web between your thumb and forefinger.
But most people feel back to normal in a few days. You'll be able to return to routine activities within 48 to 72 hours of a tooth extraction. But it usually takes the jawbone several weeks to heal completely. Most people can return to work or school within a day or two.
Wisdom Teeth (Third Molars)
Wisdom teeth are notorious for being the most challenging to extract. Reasons include: Impaction: Often trapped under the gums or jawbone.
Yes, a dentist can pull all your teeth at once—if it's medically necessary and you're healthy enough to undergo the procedure. Full mouth extractions are often performed in preparation for dentures, dental implants, or to eliminate widespread infection or disease.