By /

Mythbusters: The Most Common Tooth Extraction Myths Debunked

Cartoon illustration of a tooth being gently extracted with dental forceps while other happy teeth watch, representing kid-friendly and painless dental treatment.

The phrase “just like pulling a tooth” is a common idiom, associated with a task so hard that it feels “like pulling a tooth”.

Modern dentistry and advances in medicine have transformed the task of pulling a tooth from what it once was. Dental surgeons now optimize the use of cutting-edge tools and equipment, making the procedure smoother and more comfortable for both the patient and the physician. Over several years of practice, doctors have encountered many doubts raised by patients regarding dental extraction procedures—some valid, and some little more than old wives’ tales. In this article on Tooth Extraction Myths Debunked, we address these common questions and clarify misunderstandings with sound scientific reasoning.

1. TOOTH EXTRACTIONS ARE TOO PAINFUL!

Pain is the biggest motivation for a patient to visit the dentist, so when someone says the treatment will be painful too…. Well, we know how it feels!

We perform all dental extractions under local anaesthetic (LA) — the magic potion that puts the nerves in your teeth and gums to sleep. Once we administer the LA correctly, you will feel only the pressure of the tooth moving during removal. So, fret not — we use this magic potion to melt away your fear of pain!

Historical painting of a dentist performing a painful tooth extraction, showing old-style dental techniques.

2. LONG AND PAINFUL DOWNTIME AFTER TOOTH REMOVAL

Woman touching her cheek with a pained expression, showing discomfort after a tooth extraction and the challenges of post-removal recovery.

Is it normal to feel pain after extraction? Will the stitches hurt?

Dental extraction recovery varies on a case-by-case basis, if it’s a normal extraction, you may expect discomfort for 24-48 hours, while in case of surgical extraction, it may continue up to 3 days. You can minimize discomfort by following the aftercare instructions and taking the prescribed medications (NSAIDs). As far as stitches are concerned, not every case of extraction requires stitches. However, if needed, they facilitate the healing of the extraction socket, making the recovery more comfortable.

3. DENTAL EXTRACTION CAN AFFECT VISION

Can tooth extraction cause blindness?

Many people believe that extracting upper jaw teeth can affect eyesight. The choice of words needs to be more careful, as there have not been many documented cases of complete and permanent loss of vision following dental extractions. Complications affecting vision rarely occur and are due to administration of local anaesthesia or extension of dental infections (due to delayed treatment) from upper teeth to the tissues surrounding eyes. The prevalence of ocular complications is low in dentistry relative to other local anaesthetic complications, as well as most complications are local and temporary.

A blindfolded man in a suit walking on a tightrope, symbolizing uncertainty or fear about dental extraction affecting vision.

4. TOOTH REMOVAL AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION

A confused young woman with sticky notes on her clothes, sitting at a desk and looking puzzled, symbolizing memory or focus difficulties.

Does tooth extraction cause memory loss?

We need to understand and break this down more clearly. Research shows a link between the number of teeth removed and memory dysfunction in people over 65 years of age. However, the cause-result relationship is pretty much reversed if we come to the science of it. Researchers have thoroughly documented and studied the relationship between gum disease and late-life mental health and neurological disorders. Hence, gum disease, aka periodontitis, if left undiagnosed and untreated, leads to loss of teeth and mild memory impairment (MMI); which is a preclinical stage of dementia, and to cognitive impairment.

5. EVERY TOOTHACHE NEEDS TOOTH EXTRACTION

Absolutely not!

A toothache or dental pain occurs when the body and brain signal that something is not right. In many cases, dentists can fix dental pain with a simple cavity cleaning (caries removal) and a filling (restoration). However, delayed treatment is the real reason many times the tooth reaches the stage of no return, and we may have to extract the tooth. Regular dental visits and check ups are mandatory to avoid such situations.

Person holding a sign that says “NO,” symbolizing that not every toothache requires tooth extraction.

6. YOU DON’T NEED TO REPLACE EVERY EXTRACTED TOOTH

Close-up photo of clean, white teeth and healthy gums, illustrating the importance of replacing an extracted tooth to maintain oral health.

Only if you want good oral health and nutrition!

Nature gave us two sets of teeth, and that tells us how important teeth are for our health and well-being. Modern dentistry revolves around preserving and maintaining that which is natural, ie, our natural teeth. As new research comes in, we are understanding the importance of having a full complement of teeth in our mouth as well as the need for replacement of any missing teeth. Nutrition and digestion start in your mouth with your teeth, so always replace any missing teeth as soon as you lose them!

Class Directory.org
Scroll to Top