Wisdom Tooth Extraction – What to Expect and Aftercare Tips

Your third set of molars known as the wisdom teeth tend to appear in late teens or early adulthood. As much as they may serve as an extra addition to help some people, many people discover that they are more of a nuisance. From crowding in the existing teeth to impaction or misalignment, wisdom teeth cause a host of dental issues that cause pain, discomfort, and even infections.

For a person who may be scheduled for a wisdom tooth extraction appointment, you are probably waking up each morning drowning in questions about the surgery and what comes after that. Here, we’re going to take you through what happens during surgery, and what you, as the patient, needs to do next. If the process is well understood and the necessary preparations made, then the process can run smoothly and recovery will not take long thus leading to a quick return to oral health.

What Is Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Surgery to remove wisdom teeth is a routine dental procedure involving the removal of one or more of the third molars in the rear of the mouth. As we stated earlier, some people do not have problems with their third molars, while for others the teeth are commonly wisdom teeth that are misaligned or impacted, which means that the teeth cannot erupt normally because of the restricted space. These teeth negatively affect the position of other teeth, as well as the overall health of the person, as they lead to pain, swelling, and infections.

At times, it may also affect the adjacent teeth or cause cysts and tumors. This is the reason you need to have your wisdom teeth removed because they can cause you a lot of problems in your mouth. Most dentists advise having them taken out as soon as possible, before they lead to more problems.

When Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?

The timing of removal may sometimes be challenging, as most people do not have any problems with their wisdom teeth. Nevertheless, there are some apparent signals that may signal that it is high time to contemplate extraction. These include the presence of a number of teeth which cannot accommodate in the mouth, or having some teeth partially erupted to expose the gums to bacterial growth.

In addition, the effects of the impacted wisdom teeth are that the teeth may grow in an awkward position in relation to other teeth leading to misalignment. It is characterized by pain, swelling and inflammation, or general tenderness involving the specific region. It’s good to visit a dentist for check-ups and dental X-rays to understand if your wisdom teeth need to be extracted before causing complications.

The Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure

Preparation

Before the surgery is done, your dentist will examine the health state of your teeth and gums in preparing for the wisdom tooth extraction. This is a consultative session where the patient’s history and allergy will be taken before surgery is carried out.

Your dentist will also tell you what type of anesthesia will be used, there are three categories: local, where only the area around the surgery is anesthetized; sedation, in which you’ll be given special medication to help you relax and fall asleep during the surgery; and general, where you will be unconscious during the process.

This way, there will be no worries or things that are going through your mind as you go through the whole exercise, especially if you have concerns as to how it is going to be executed.

The Surgery

Basically, the procedure is simple but may require a little more depending on the position and state of your wisdom teeth. For the teeth that have emerged completely, a straightforward extraction is normally done by using an instrument known as an elevator to move the tooth somewhat then using a set of forceps to get rid of it. If your teeth are impacted then surgery becomes a little more complicated.

In this case, your dentist or an oral surgeon will have to cut through the gums and possibly remove some bone to get to the tooth and remove it. This may sound a bit worrisome but rest assured; the area will be completely numb or you will be put to sleep for the process.

Time and Complexity

The surgeries to remove wisdom teeth normally take between 30 minutes to an hour in most practices. The time taken will depend on several issues including the number of teeth involved and whether the teeth are impacted. These are relatively short procedures, which may take anything between 45 minutes to an hour in the dentist’s chair. However, more complex surgery may require more time depending on whether bone tissue has to be extracted or whether the wisdom teeth are in rather an unfavorable orientation.

After Wisdom Tooth Extraction – Recovery and Care

Managing Pain and Swelling

After a wisdom tooth extraction, some amount of pain and swelling is expected and may usually only last for the first two to three days following surgery. Ice packs to be placed on the jaw for 20 minutes will be useful in the reduction of swelling, while pain could be managed using over the counter drugs or those prescribed by the doctor. For the first few days, the patient should plan no vigorous exercise at all since any kind of pressure on the extraction site is discouraged.

Foods to Eat After Surgery

It will be crucial for you to have a dietary strategy in place since your diet will influence your healing process significantly. After the extraction, continue to consume only soft and non-spicy foods that will not cause discomfort to the extraction site. Examples are smoothies, yogurt, scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes. Ensure also that you take sufficient water to drink but do not use a straw as the sucking action can pull off the clot that forms over the healing site and result in a dry socket which is very painful.

What to Avoid After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Some forms of activities should not be practiced after the extraction of the wisdom tooth so as to allow proper healing. That is why smoking, drinking through a straw, or even spitting very hard can compromise the process of platelet plug formation. Performing such actions leads to occurrence of dry socket, which is a painful situation that needs the attention of the doctor. Also, as a measure of preventing a repeat of the injury, it is wise not to participate in any intense activities for the first few days of healing.

Common Complications After Wisdom Teeth Removal

It is important to note that though severe problems are generally a rare occurrence following the extraction of the wisdom teeth, they can happen. Among all surgical complications, there is a high risk of developing a condition called dry socket, where the blood clot is removed partially or dissolves prematurely, leaving the bone and nerves of the affected area exposed. This condition leads to massive pain and slow healing processes carried out by the body.

Other complications include infections to the extraction site especially where food particles, viruses, or bacteria invade the area. Symptoms of infection include worsening pain, growth of the swelling, as well as a fever. On very rare occasions, the patient may suffer from transient or a permanent injury to one of the nerves in the lower jaw causing numbness or tingling of the lips, tongue or chin. If you develop any signs you feel are not normal, you should consult your dentist as soon as possible.

How Long Does Recovery Take?

The length of time that you will take to heal after a wisdom tooth extraction depends on the procedure done as well as the rate of healing in your body. Majority of people show signs that they are fully recovered in approximately 72 hours to five days.

Edema usually reaches maximum height in 48 hours and then gradually decreases. Serious inflammation, however, may take one to several weeks for the gums and underlying bones to heal. Some rare complications may arise during the healing process, and therefore, adhere strictly to your dentist’s advice in aftercare.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How painful is wisdom tooth extraction?

Unlike before, the operation of the extraction for the wisdom teeth is not painful since the dentist will anesthetize you. After surgery, you will be able to experience some pain around the area but with the help of pain relievers given by the dentist, you can overcome it. Applying ice packs to the affected area and getting some bed rest would also relieve pain for the next few days. Nearly all patients have indicated that their pain is relieved after 48 hours of treatment.

What are the signs of infection after wisdom teeth removal?

If you have excess pain, inflamed gum areas, redness, or a bad taste in your mouth after you have had your wisdom teeth extracted, you may be having an infection. Other signs include fever, and inability to open up one’s mouth properly. You should visit your dentist if you experience any of these signs because infections will prolong the time it takes for the gum to heal, and other issues may arise.

Can I drive myself home after wisdom tooth extraction?

Whether or not the patient can drive themselves home is determined by the kind of anesthesia that was administered during the operation. For instance if you had local anesthetic you could consider yourself okay enough to drive home later. Specifically, if sedation or general anesthesia was given, it is recommended to have another driver take you home since this type of anesthesia impairs your reflexes for several hours after the procedure.

If you want quality wisdom teeth extraction services and advice on how to take care of your teeth after the extraction, you can get in touch with Crystalline Dental through email at info@crystallinedental.com or by calling +1 905 303 0700 and appointment can be arranged at Crystalline Dental.