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Original poster

How much does a tooth extraction hurt?

26 replies

QuebecBagnet · 04/05/2022 13:39

I need a molar taking out (upper). Not the back one but the one infront of it. I know I;ll get anaesthetic but realistically how much is it still going to hurt? I'm feeling really anxious about it. I've had root canal before which was ok.

I have vague memories of a tooth extraction when I was little and the nurse pulling on my head while the dentist pulled on my tooth and think I need some vallium at the thought of that again!

OP posts:
Maydaysoonenough · 04/05/2022 13:41

I have had 3 wisdom teeth out in 2 sittings. Needles only. Didn't feel a thing and even managed a cheese sandwich later that afternoon with the first one as I was pregnant and staving!

Dontstoprunning · 04/05/2022 13:43

When I had one it didn't hurt at all, I just felt the movements of them shifting it about to get it out.
Now you're an adult you will be able to position yourself and hold it exactly where they ask you so the nurse won't be pulling on your head or anything.

You will be fine, stock up on pain relief for when the local wears off as you may be uncomfortable and follow all aftercare advice.
Good luck

AndStand · 04/05/2022 13:44

The worst bit was the injection, and that was barely anything.
My wisdom tooth had to come out and it was fine.
There's more pushing than pulling in my experience. He pushed hard and they gave a pull and out it came.
No problem 😊

Reader57 · 04/05/2022 13:44

Had one out last week, sounds like the same one as you had. Honestly didn’t feel anything apart from the local injection, it was a bit of a struggle to get it out but after that I only needed to take one Ibuprofen, no pain or aching at all. Try not to worry too much, it’ll be fine x

Perfumelover18 · 04/05/2022 13:46

You will be given an anaesthetic, and you should only feel the pulling, not the pain.

The time when the anaesthetic wears off is when you might need a paracetamol.

And your gum will feel tender for a while.
Good luck.

nearlyspringyay · 04/05/2022 13:49

It feels odd, tugging, like a section if you've had one. Doesn't hurt. The needle is the worst bit. Just don't try and take a drink on a packed train before the anaesthesia has worn off, it wasn't a great look pouring water all down me!

BungleandGeorge · 04/05/2022 13:54

I have the same memory as you but having one out as an adult was no where near as bad and very quick. I’d take painkillers before as it does hurt afterwards and you might not feel like swallowing tablets

TeaMeBasil · 04/05/2022 13:54

I had the same tooth out - I was so worried about it and honestly I didn't feel a thing! I didn't even feel the injection.

It was fast too, there was a bit of pulling but nothing major and then the dentist sat back, I braced myself for whatever was happening next.....and nothing, all done.

Try not to work yourself up as much as I did, it was so much better than I expected

Bathroom2022 · 04/05/2022 13:58

It doesn't hurt, it's just the tugging which can feel a bit intense, but that's just the sensation, it's not painful. Be aware of dry socket afterwards as that is worse than anything. Make sure you follow all instructions.

Original poster
QuebecBagnet · 04/05/2022 14:50

Thanks everyone I’m feeling reassured.

OP posts:
rhubarbcrumbl · 04/05/2022 17:37

my dentist uses a little local patch of anaesthetic before she injects the pain killer so you don't even feel that!!
just a bit of tugging
the most important thing is to keep a low blood pressure afterwards so no rushing around if you can help it . helps a clot to firm in the cavity and prevent the dreaded dry socket syndrome!!
good luck

Pyewhacket · 04/05/2022 17:40

It's unpleasant but the dentist will numb your mouth so you don't really feel anything.

sausagepastapot · 04/05/2022 17:43

Totally fine here too, I have had two out, no pain no problems.

greybaggyballoon · 04/05/2022 17:43

I had that same tooth out a while ago and honestly my experience doesn't echo others. It's was horrific. Not the extraction pain, that was a lot of pulling and pushing, no pain but it was a difficult extraction and it wouldn't come out easily.

By the end, the trauma was bad and I was very poorly for 2 weeks. Swelling, infection, dry socket, perforated sinus, bone spur, pain. I'm actually terrified of needing anything done at the dentist now. It's nearly 4 weeks and I'm still in pain as the wound is closing very slowly. They said sometimes it happens and it's super traumatic. I'm glad it isn't usually like that by the sounds of it!

Original poster
QuebecBagnet · 04/05/2022 18:36

Oh God! 😩😩😩

OP posts:
MummyT13 · 04/05/2022 18:41

@QuebecBagnet I had 9 taken out in 1 sitting and I was fine 🤷🏻‍♀️ it was only local anaesthetic.. a lot of it but no sedation etc. I would highly recommend taking earphones with you and put them in and close your eyes.

No singing though 😂 just something with a really loud base 😊

Matchingcollarandcuffs · 04/05/2022 18:41

greybaggyballoon · 04/05/2022 17:43

I had that same tooth out a while ago and honestly my experience doesn't echo others. It's was horrific. Not the extraction pain, that was a lot of pulling and pushing, no pain but it was a difficult extraction and it wouldn't come out easily.

By the end, the trauma was bad and I was very poorly for 2 weeks. Swelling, infection, dry socket, perforated sinus, bone spur, pain. I'm actually terrified of needing anything done at the dentist now. It's nearly 4 weeks and I'm still in pain as the wound is closing very slowly. They said sometimes it happens and it's super traumatic. I'm glad it isn't usually like that by the sounds of it!

I've had similar with a tooth but was turned as the root had extended into the sinus. It was completely abscessed so had to come out.

I got dry socket after getting a tooth out at a dental hospital so I could have sedation, didn't work but wasn't painful.

They did give me water with a straw after which caused the clot to shift hence the dry socket, just stay away from straws and you'll be fine.

One tooth out at dentist no ill effects at all

Newnormal99 · 04/05/2022 18:46

I had the back from lower one taken out. I was terrified and had to have it sone in hospital. I had about 3 injections and felt some twinges but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I think I went into shock though as I started shaking when it was done and they had to pump me full of glucose drinks!

Surprisingly there was very minimal pain after.

Libertaire · 04/05/2022 18:52

I had a lower molar out a couple of years ago. The dentist injected my mouth several times to ensure it was very numb. I had also taken paracetamol & ibuprofen before the appointment. Then she removed the tooth. It didn’t exactly hurt because of the anaesthetic but it’s quite a forceful process so it’s really not much fun. However much you rationalise it, it still feels like you’re being attacked.

The bleeding stopped fairly quickly, but it continued to ooze overnight. I kept taking painkillers & managed to get some sleep. For the next few days, my face felt like it had been punched by Anthony Joshua then it started to steadily improve.

familyissues12345 · 04/05/2022 18:52

I've had 3 out - 2 wisdom and one molar. Wisdoms virtually fell out in the dentists hands, molar a bit trickier. Hardly any pain, worst part for me was the noise and I didn't like the numbing spray esp on my wisdom teeth as I could feel it in my throat (it made it a bit sore for a day)

I'm pretty phobic of the dentist, but I could cope with it again, hope that helps!

Fizzyfish · 04/05/2022 18:54

It's not that bad op

knowinglesseveryday · 04/05/2022 23:15

My dd was unfortunate and felt quite a bit of pain after a tooth extraction, once the anaesthesia wore off. She started with ibuprofen and the next day took the over the counter codeine one, on the advice of her dentist surgery, and that made a huge difference. You'll probably be fine-most are-but worth knowing.

MrOllivander · 05/05/2022 00:38

I'm a complete wimp, and was terrified of the dentist
My extraction actually cured my phobia as it was "if that's the worst, it's fine"
Injections, lots of pushing and then done. Painful when the injections wore off and I had a day off work. Got dry socket but that didn't hurt much TBH

doggiescats · 05/05/2022 00:40

Ask for sedation…midazolam is your friend!

daisyjgrey · 05/05/2022 00:40

Tooth extraction was fine. I somehow got a dry socket on day 2 and would genuinely rather give birth again than deal with that.