Pulling Teeth by Green Day is a song that deals with the complexities and darker sides of relationships. The lyrics describe a tumultuous relationship where the narrator feels trapped, almost as if enduring the torturous process of pulling teeth. The key themes revolve around emotional pain, dependence, and the struggle for freedom within a confining relationship. Poignant moments include the way the narrator compares the heartache and difficulty of the relationship to physical pain, providing vivid imagery of suffering and resilience.