It is normal to feel a little achy and tender and uncomfortable for several days after your wisdom teeth are removed, but always be sure to call your dental office right away. If you have heavy or increased bleeding a bad taste or odor in your mouth, pain or swelling that gets worse or last longer than two to three days and or a reaction to medication, now the first 24 hours are the most important for the healing process.
Wisdom teeth themselves are not necessarily scary.
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that usually appear in the back of the mouth, behind the other teeth, in the late teenage years or early twenties. They are called "wisdom teeth" because they typically appear at a time when people are considered wiser and more mature.
Some people never develop wisdom teeth, while others have all four (two on the top, two on the bottom). It is possible to live with wisdom teeth, but it depends on whether or not they are causing problems. If the wisdom teeth are fully erupted and functioning properly, they can be left in place and cared for like any other teeth. However, wisdom teeth can come in different positions, and their position can affect whether or not they cause problems. Some common positions for wisdom teeth include:
Erupted wisdom teeth are fully visible in the mouth and are functional like any other tooth.
Partially erupted wisdom teeth are partially visible in the mouth and may cause problems because they are difficult to clean and may lead to infection or tooth decay.
Impacted wisdom teeth are trapped under the gum tissue and may cause problems because they don't have enough room to come in properly.
Horizontally impacted wisdom teeth may cause problems because they take up more space than vertically impacted wisdom teeth and may damage nearby teeth.
Vertically impacted wisdom teeth may cause problems because they don't have enough room to come in properly.
Angular wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that are angled inward or outward and can cause problems because they may not have enough room to come in properly or may damage nearby teeth.
There are many risks associated with wisdom teeth:
Infection:
If wisdom teeth are not removed properly, there is a risk of infection. This can lead to serious health complications, including sepsis (a potentially life-threatening condition caused by infection).
Damage to adjacent teeth:
If wisdom teeth are not removed properly, they can damage adjacent teeth. This can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss.
Jawbone damage:
If wisdom teeth are not removed properly, they can damage the jawbone. This can lead to pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the jaw.
Nerve damage:
If wisdom teeth are not removed properly, they can damage the nerves in the jaw. This can lead to numbness, tingling, and pain in the face, jaw, and teeth.
Cysts:
If wisdom teeth are not removed properly, they can cause cysts to form around the teeth. These cysts can damage the teeth, jawbone, and nerves.
Sinus problems:
Wisdom teeth that grow in the upper jaw can press against the sinuses, causing pain and infection.
For these reasons, many people choose to have their wisdom teeth extracted.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Some potential benefits of wisdom teeth extraction include:
Relief of pain and discomfort: Wisdom teeth can cause pain and discomfort when they are coming in or when they are fully erupted. Removing them can provide relief from these symptoms.
Prevention of dental problems: Wisdom teeth can cause a range of dental problems, such as crowding, misalignment, and infections. Removing them can help to prevent these problems from occurring.
Improved oral hygiene: Wisdom teeth are often difficult to clean properly, which can lead to an increased risk of decay and gum disease. Removing them can improve overall oral hygiene and reduce the risk of these conditions.
Easier to clean teeth: Wisdom teeth can make it difficult to properly brush and floss all areas of the mouth. Removing them can make it easier to maintain good oral hygiene.
Improved appearance: Wisdom teeth can cause misalignment of the teeth, which can affect the appearance of the smile. Removing them can help to improve the appearance of the teeth and smile.
Common oral surgery procedure
Wisdom teeth extraction
The oral surgeon will numb the area around the wisdom teeth to minimize pain. This can be done with local anesthesia, intravenous (IV) sedation, or general anesthesia, depending on the patient's preferences and the complexity of the extraction.
The oral surgeon will make an incision in the gum tissue to expose the wisdom teeth.
If the wisdom teeth are impacted (trapped beneath the gums), the oral surgeon may need to remove some bone and/or split the tooth in order to extract it.
The wisdom teeth are then removed by gently rocking them back and forth to loosen them from the surrounding tissue.
Once the wisdom teeth are removed, the incision site is closed with sutures (stitches).
The patient will be given instructions for post-operative care, which may include pain medication, ice packs to reduce swelling, and a soft food diet.
The entire procedure usually takes about 30-60 minutes, depending on the complexity of the extraction. Recovery time can vary, but it typically takes a few days to a week to fully heal. The patient may experience swelling, bruising, and pain during this time, but these symptoms should resolve with proper care and treatment.
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RECOVERY TIPS
"...As long as you keep the inflammation down and you take it easy, the recovery process is generally super straightforward."
How will I feel after the procedure?
What should I do for the first 24 hours?
Be sure to do whatever your dentist and or oral surgeon who performed the extractions tells you to do follow their instructions. Their instructions will help blood clots form where your teeth were pulled, which is extremely important, because the blood clot is what stops the bleeding, which stops the pain, a typical wisdom.
How long does the recovery takes?
Teeth removal usually calls for a three to seven day recovery time before you head back to work or school. Your dentist will let you know how many days they recommend and or estimate for you individually. Usually the younger, you are the quicker you will heal and a bunch of other factors, so they will let you know what to expect. But if you get a dry socket, this can delay the healing process by at least two weeks.
A dry socket is what happens when a blood clot fails or the clot comes out too soon, which then exposes the jaw bone underneath and the goal is to prevent this from happening. So you can heal quickly again to prevent the dry, socket and heal quickly is to follow your dentist's instructions. The instructions usually are things like bite on gauze for about an hour after the extractions and don't freak out if it looks like you're bleeding crazy at first, because the mixture of your blood and saliva can make it look worse than it is.
Oozing is sometimes normal, but they usually say after the first hour or so to switch to a clean piece of gauze. It can bleed up to 24 hours, do not spit and do not use a straw. Do not suck on anything like candies or mints. Don't rinse your mouth and don't brush or floss that area don't go near that area with any home care tools, don't smoke. You should really avoid tobacco for at least 72 hours.
If you can try not to sneeze or cough if you're worried, because you have allergies or something talk to your dentist beforehand, ask if you should take your allergy meds. Your dentist will recommend what's best for you. Every situation is different. Don't elevate your heart rate! So no cardio, no jumping jacks, don't get your heart racing too much physical exertion can get your blood pressure up and delay the healing process, stick with resting and relaxing on the couch, but don't lay flat make sure to elevate your head with pillows when you lay Down don't drink hot beverages and also stay clear from alcohol and spicy foods.
How to keep the swelling down?
Some general ways to keep the swelling down is to use an ice pack on the swollen areas, usually 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off again follow your surgeon's instruction as to what they want you to do. These are just generalized tips. I can't stress that enough to help with discomfort, you can take pain, meds that have been prescribed to you by your dentist or surgeon. These days, most dentists, don't need to prescribe strong pain, pills or narcotics for wisdom tooth extractions. Swelling usually starts to go down after about 48 hours, but to further reduce, swelling and soreness, you can start maybe rinsing your mouth with warm salt water, however, make sure to move your head to switch it back and forth.
Some doctors might recommend that you rinse and swish for two to three times a day for the first week, some doctors might recommend the warm saltwater, rinse and others might prescribe an antimicrobial rinse. Whichever the case, please remember don't swish with your cheeks!
After first 24 hours you can usually begin to eat normally as soon as it's comfortable, but still try to avoid crunchy foods for a little while longer you can go back to your routine, brushing and flossing, but again take it slow, be super gentle around those extraction sites for a week. Try not to get close to them. You do not want to touch the areas where the teeth were pulled. Keep taking your antibiotics if they were prescribed for the entirety of the prescription, don't stop taking them just because you feel healed.
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