Cancel My Tooth Extraction if It No Longer Hurts?

Posted by AllSmiles

I had a horrible toothache that made it impossible to chew on the left side of my mouth. My dentist said the tooth was infected and she couldn’t save it with a root canal. She prescribed antibiotics, and I finished the appointment. My extraction appointment is in two weeks, but the tooth no longer hurts. Is it okay to cancel the appointment for extraction? – Thanks. Karmen from Long Island, NY

Karmen,

Antibiotics can help calm a tooth infection, but they can’t cure it. The infection lives inside the tooth, and antibiotics can’t reach that space. They only reduce swelling and ease pain for a short time. Once the medication wears off, the infection almost always returns—sometimes worse than before. The bacteria may even become resistant to the antibiotic.

Why Remove an Infected Tooth?

If your dentist determines that root canal treatment cannot save an infected tooth, the dentist or an oral surgeon must remove it. Keeping the infection under control with antibiotics helps the numbing anesthetic to work when it’s time for your extraction.

What’s the Best Time to Remove a Tooth?

The best time to remove the tooth is while you’re still taking antibiotics. The medication helps calm the infection and makes the anesthetic more effective, especially for upper teeth.

Before your appointment, ensure these key steps are in place:

• Your dentist should prescribe about ten days of antibiotics.
• The extraction should occur four to seven days after you start the medication.
• If your dentist can’t schedule tooth removal during that time, ask them to extend the prescription or refer you to another provider for the procedure.

Delaying treatment for weeks allows the infection to spread, making it more difficult to numb the area. Acting sooner helps you avoid unnecessary pain and promotes recovery.

Chandler, Arizona, dentists Dr. William Walden and Dr. Tyrel Beavers sponsor this post. They cater to patients with dental anxiety.