The discomfort that can occur after tooth extraction may last no more than a day or two in most cases. During this time, you can alleviate soreness and tenderness by administering over-the-counter pain-relieving medication to your child as directed. You may administer medication via the dosing schedule rather than waiting for your child to express discomfort. By following the dosing schedule on the product label, you can prevent unnecessary discomfort during the healing stage of treatment.