Tooth removal

About tooth removal

If your tooth is damaged or decayed and can’t be repaired with a filling or crown first, your dentist may decide to remove (extract) the tooth as a last resort.

When your tooth can’t be repaired, tooth removal may be the best option for you. However your dentist will talk through your options with you during your consultation. If you think you might need a tooth extracted, please contact your practice and book an appointment.

Why are teeth removed?

There are lots of reasons why you might need to have a tooth removed. For example, if you have:

• Severe tooth decay
• Gum disease (periodontal disease)
• A broken tooth that can’t be repaired
• An abscess (a collection of pus) on your gums or around your teeth
• Crowded teeth – when your teeth don’t have enough space in your jaw
• Impacted wisdom teeth – you can read more about this in our separate topic: Wisdom teeth removal

Your dentist will usually remove a tooth in your dental surgery. But sometimes an oral surgeon will do the procedure in hospital if your extraction is more complicated. You can usually go home on the same day.

At Bupa Dental Care, we have over 350 practices throughout the UK and a network of clinicians that are experienced at dealing with all dental issues. If you're experiencing pain or think you might need a tooth removed, contact your local practice and we'll be happy to help.

Aftercare for tooth removal

Your gum may bleed for a few minutes after you have your tooth taken out. Your dentist will give you a piece of soft padding to bite on to stop the bleeding and you’ll be able to go home once it’s stopped.

Before you go home, your dentist or surgeon will give you advice about looking after your teeth and gums. They may recommend painkillers and an antibacterial mouthwash. They might also prescribe you some antibiotics to reduce your chances of developing an infection.

If you have had a general anaesthetic or sedative, you’ll need to rest until the effects of the anaesthetic or sedative have worn off. Ask a friend or family member to take you home and ask them to stay with you for a day or so while the anaesthetic wears off.

You don’t always need a follow-up appointment after you’ve had a tooth removed. But if you had a complicated procedure, you might need to go back to see your dentist so they can check how you’re healing. You’ll be given a date for this while you’re in practice.

Recovering from tooth removal

Most people can go back to their normal routine the same day. Only if you have a more difficult surgical extraction, will it take a few days to recover. See how you feel and follow your dentist’s advice.

If you had a local anaesthetic, it may take a few hours before the feeling comes back into your mouth. Don’t have any hot food or drinks until it comes back otherwise you might burn or scald your mouth. Also take care not to bite your tongue, particularly when you speak, drink or eat. Rest as much as possible and keep your head up to reduce the bleeding.

Your mouth may feel sore once the anaesthetic wears off. If you need pain relief, you can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Your dentist may suggest that you take paracetamol and ibuprofen together. Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicines. If you have any questions, ask a pharmacist for advice.

Some people find that their pain is worse about three days after the procedure, but then settles down again within a week to 10 days. This is completely normal. If you’re in severe pain and it gets worse, contact your dentist. They’ll check that nothing else is causing it, such as an infection.

Tips to make sure the tooth removal area heals properly

• Don’t rinse your mouth out for at least 24 hours after a tooth removal. This could disturb any blood clot that has formed, and you may start bleeding again.
• After 24 hours, rinse gently with a salt water mouthwash (made using salt and hot, but not boiling water), four times a day to keep the area clean.
• Eat soft food once you first have your tooth removed, so you don’t have to chew much.
• If your gum bleeds, bite down on a clean pad of material such as a clean handkerchief for at least 15 minutes.
• Don’t drink alcohol for at least 24 hours and don’t smoke for as long as possible, but at least for the rest of the day.
• Brush your teeth but keep your toothbrush away from the healing wound, to begin with, brushing closer to it each day. You could try softening your toothbrush in hot water before you brush.

You may have stitches, depending on which tooth was removed, and why. The stitches will dissolve by themselves within a week to 10 days, so you won’t need to have them removed.