As recently featured in ETV Bharat Health | Expert Insights by Dr. Vikas Gowd, Chief Dental Surgeon at Dr. Gowd’s Dental Hospitals.
There is an old saying: “No matter how much wealth you have, it means nothing without the wealth of healthy teeth.” Our teeth are essential—not just for chewing our food and speaking clearly, but for maintaining the structural beauty of our faces. When a tooth becomes severely decayed, damaged beyond repair, or simply cannot be saved, dental surgeons must remove it permanently from the root.
However, a very common fear stops many patients from getting the treatment they need: “Will removing my tooth—especially an upper tooth—damage my eyes or reduce my vision?”
Recently, Dr. Vikas Gowd, our leading Dental Surgeon, sat down with the ETV Bharat Health Team to address this widespread concern. Let’s look at the scientific facts he shared to put these fears to rest.
Is There a Connection Between Teeth and Eyes?
“Tooth extraction is a common and safe dental procedure. However, many people falsely believe that removing teeth damages the eyes, reduces vision, or even harms the brain and nervous system. This is completely a myth,” Dr. Vikas Gowd explained to ETV Bharat.
Dr. Gowd clarifies that there is absolutely no biological connection between your teeth and your eyes. Whether you are extracting a lower tooth or an upper tooth, there is zero risk to your eyesight or any other facial organs.
For example, when children undergo orthodontic clip treatments, dentists frequently extract protruding teeth to correct alignment. There is no medical evidence or history of anyone losing their vision due to these routine extractions.
Understanding the Anatomy: Blood Vessels and Nerves
A major reason this myth exists is that the teeth, eyes, and facial nerves are physically close to each other. But close proximity does not mean they share the same systems.
Blood Supply: The blood vessels supplying the mouth and face are entirely unique and separate from those supplying the eyes. Even if your face swells slightly after a dental procedure, it does not obstruct the blood flow to your eyes.
The Sinus Buffer: Anatomically, air-filled chambers called sinuses sit between your upper teeth and your eyes. If an infected tooth is extracted, the infection might rarely reach the sinus, but it will not reach the eye socket. The procedure is highly secure.
“It is a pure myth that removing a tooth will damage your vision. The optic nerves that control your eyesight are located far away from your teeth and jaws. These two nerve systems do not communicate with each other. Removing a tooth causes absolutely no harm to them.” > – Dr. Vikas Gowd, ETV Bharat Feature
What About Numbness After Extraction?
During the extraction of specific teeth, like wisdom teeth, your dentist will use local anesthesia. If the anesthetic needle brushes against a facial nerve, your face might feel temporarily numb. Dr. Gowd points out that this is a temporary, harmless side effect and has never been proven to cause permanent eye problems.
The Real Risk: Delaying Critical Treatment Due to Fear
The biggest risk to your health isn’t the tooth extraction—it is the fear that stops you from getting it done.
If you delay a necessary extraction because of the myth that it will harm your eyes, the dental infection will worsen. This can lead to severe pain, the formation of pus, permanent damage to your gums, and bone loss.
Consult the Experts, Not the Myths
Don’t let unfounded rumors compromise your oral health. If you have a damaged tooth or are experiencing dental pain, it is time to seek professional, science-backed care.
Have doubts about a dental procedure? Book a consultation at Dr. Gowd’s Dental Hospitals today. Our multi-specialist team is here to provide transparent, safe, and world-class dental care—because your smile (and your eyesight) are completely safe with us!
