Does Tooth Extraction Hurt? Pain Management During and After

Tooth extraction can be painful. However, your dentist will usually administer local anaesthesia during the procedure to alleviate any discomfort. In addition, your dentist may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription pain medication after the procedure to help you manage the pain.

Continue reading to understand how to manage pain during and after tooth extraction and what to expect during the procedure.

Pain Management During Medication

To manage your pain during tooth extraction in Vancouver, your dentist or oral surgeon may use one or more types of anaesthesia depending on your level of comfort and the expected complexity of your extraction.

1. Local Anesthesia

Your dentist at The Art of Smile Dental Clinic will apply a numbing substance to your gums near the tooth extracted to provide local anaesthesia. Then, a local anaesthetic will be administered via one or more injections near the extraction site.

The anaesthetic will not completely block all sensations. For instance, you may feel movement and pressure, but there should be no pain or sharpness. Local anaesthesia is usually used for a simple extraction, and you will be awake during the procedure.

2. Sedation anaesthesia

There are a few sedation options available. Nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, is a mild sedative that can help you relax during your procedure. In addition, your dentist or oral surgeon may be able to provide you with conscious sedation via a pill or tablet that you take before the procedure.

Both options will keep you awake but make you feel more relaxed and drowsy. Sedation medication administered through an intravenous (IV) line in your arm may be recommended by your dentist or surgeon for more moderate sedation.

The sedation anaesthesia will keep you unconscious during the procedure. As a result, you will have a limited recall of the procedure.

3. General anaesthesia

Only in exceptional circumstances is general anaesthesia used. It is given to you through your nose or an IV in your arm. Both are sometimes used concurrently.

With general anaesthesia, you will lose consciousness and fall asleep completely. Your vital signs, such as breathing, blood pressure, and temperature, will be monitored during the extraction.

Pain Management After A Tooth Extraction

Pain management after tooth extraction varies from person to person. You can, however, try several methods to alleviate your pain while your mouth heals. Use these tooth extraction pain management tools and practices to reduce your pain and get back to your routine as soon as possible:

1. Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

Many people find relief from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen. These pain relievers can help reduce inflammation as well as pain. In addition, your dentist may prescribe more potent pain relievers if you have severe pain after tooth extraction.

2. Use Ice pack

An ice pack helps to reduce swelling and numb the affected area. When using ice, avoid applying it directly to your skin. Instead, wrap ice in a towel and place it against your face for 20 minutes. Then take it out for another 20 minutes. This cycle can be repeated for the first 24 hours after your extraction.

3. Rinse with salt water

Rinse your teeth with a cup of warm salt water the day after your extraction. Keeping the extraction area clean with salt water helps prevent infection, and the warm water may relieve your pain.

The saltwater solution also cleanses the wound. However, be careful not to disturb the blood clot in your gums by rinsing too gently.

4. Take soft foods

When you have pain and sensitivity after a tooth extraction, eat soft foods to avoid irritating the extraction site. Avoid crunchy or chewy foods in the days following your procedure. Instead, try:

• Yoghurt
• soup
• Mashed potatoes
• Jell-O or pudding

As you recover, you can gradually introduce more solid soft foods, such as rice or cooked vegetables, before returning to your regular diet.

5. Rest

Rest is an essential part of your body’s healing process. It may allow you to resume your normal activities sooner than if you tried to work through the pain. Rest for at least 24 hours after a tooth extraction, and be patient with your healing.

If you are in severe pain,  contact your dentist in Vancouver or visiting a dental clinic near you. They offer comprehensive aftercare so that you can manage your tooth extraction pain on your own.