Before you leave us, we’ll make sure you know exactly how to look after your mouth at home. Some soreness and swelling are normal after having a tooth removed, and you may notice a little bleeding at first. This should gradually settle as the area begins to heal.

For the first 24 hours, the most important thing is to give the extraction site time to settle. Try to take things easy and avoid strenuous exercise, smoking, rinsing your mouth, and very hot food or drinks. Softer foods are usually a little more comfortable while the area is tender too.

After 24 hours, you can begin gently rinsing your mouth with warm, salty water to help keep the area clean. You can also carry on brushing your other teeth as usual, just taking a little extra care around the extraction site.

If you have a question once you’re home or you’re unsure whether something you’re experiencing is normal, just give us a call. We’ll be happy to help!

What happens to the gap will depend on the reason we’re removing your tooth. If your extraction is to create more space because of overcrowding or as part of orthodontic treatment, leaving a gap may already be part of your treatment plan.

If we’re removing a tooth because it’s badly damaged, decayed or can’t be saved, we’ll talk about what happens next as part of your treatment. You may be happy to leave the gap as it is, or you might want to explore ways of replacing the missing tooth.

If you’d like to discuss replacing your tooth, there are several options we can explore with you, including a dental implants or dentures. We’ll talk you through what each treatment involves, as well as the benefits, considerations and costs, so you have all the information you need to decide what feels right for you.

One of the most common questions we’re asked about tooth extractions is whether having a tooth removed will be painful. The good news is that the extraction itself should be a pain-free process.

Before we begin, we’ll carefully numb the tooth and surrounding area with local anaesthetic and make sure it has taken full effect. You may notice some pressure or movement as the tooth is gently loosened and removed, but you shouldn’t feel pain.

We’ll check in with you throughout and take our time to make sure you’re comfortable from start to finish.

Once the anaesthetic wears off, you may have some mild discomfort or tenderness around the area, although not everyone experiences this. If you do, it can often be managed with suitable over-the-counter pain relief.