Extraction of wisdom teeth: what you need to know

For many teens and young adults, removing their wisdom teeth is a big decision. Maybe your dentist told you it needs to be done, or your parents and other family members had theirs extracted. What should you expect? Extracting wisdom teeth isn't as daunting as it may seem, and the procedure and recovery can go smoothly when you are well-informed.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are third molars. Typically, these molars appear in early adulthood if not extracted before then. These molars are found at the back of your mouth, on both the upper and lower jaw. You don't need those extra teeth because you can chew and process food properly without them. If they grow and arrive healthy, they can help improve chewing. They often appear between the ages of 17 and 21, but it is best to have them removed before then for some people.

When should wisdom teeth be removed?

The extraction of wisdom teeth is beneficial in many situations. Very often, this is done during your late teenage years before the wisdom teeth emerge from the surface of the gums. One of the reasons they are removed so often is that wisdom teeth don't have a lot of room to pop out. They could also be misplaced, which means they could damage your other teeth as they grow.

Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Sometimes wisdom teeth are impacted. Impacted teeth are teeth that are impacted below the gum line and cannot erupt on their own. If this tooth pushes, it will do so at an angle while pushing the other teeth out of its way. Most people learn of the risk of a wisdom tooth becoming impacted when their dentist looks at x-rays of these teeth. An unusual angle or position may signal a problem.

In other cases, you may experience the pain and discomfort of growing teeth. This can include symptoms such as:

• Jaw pain, especially in the tooth area and sometimes radiating outward
• Bad breath even when you brush your teeth well and frequently
• Swollen gums, especially inflammation in the area of ​​the wisdom teeth
• Pain ranging from mild to intense
• Difficulty chewing, opening the jaw and speaking

If any of these symptoms occur, it is best to contact your dentist to determine the best course of action to treat any infection.

Problems with Impacted Teeth

Don't overlook an impacted wisdom tooth. If this tooth is left in place, it can cause some potential problems, including:

• Damage to other teeth as she pushes them out of the way, including the potential to crack or weaken other teeth due to nerve damage.
• Cysts can develop in the area where the tooth is trying to break through, causing pain and a higher risk of infection.
• Early tooth decay can occur because the area affected by the wisdom tooth tends to be very difficult to clean.
• Gingivitis forms due to poor oral hygiene due to limited access to the area affected by the wisdom tooth.

Getting treatment for impacted wisdom teeth as soon as possible is advisable. This will save you from complications like the ones mentioned above.

How are wisdom teeth extracted?

Wisdom teeth removal surgery is extracted in the office of a dental surgeon. You will be comfortable and relaxed throughout the procedure. Your dentist may use local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia to help you relax throughout the procedure.

Once you are safely asleep, the surgeon takes several steps to remove the impacted wisdom teeth. This may include the following steps:

• The surgeon creates an incision in the gum tissue where the wisdom tooth is, exposing the tooth and the bone underneath.
• The bone that blocks access to the root of the tooth is removed.
• Sometimes, the tooth is then divided into sections to facilitate its extraction.
• All pieces of the tooth are removed from the opening.
• The surgeon then cleans the area to remove any bone particles or other debris left behind from the operation.
• Stitches are used to help close the new incision. This helps promote healing in the area. In some cases, stitches are not used, especially if there are no signs of complications.
• A piece of gauze is placed over the top of the extraction site. This helps to stop the bleeding and promote the formation of a clot.

You will stay in the surgeon's office until you wake up. Then, before you go home, you will receive more information from your surgeon about what happened and what to expect when you get home.

What happens after the wisdom teeth extraction procedure?

After removing your wisdom teeth, your dental surgeon will explain how to take care of your mouth and the measures to take to facilitate your recovery. Below is a summary of the information that will be provided to you.

24 to 72 hours after surgery

Healing following wisdom tooth removal surgery begins immediately, and within 24 hours, you will likely feel a little better. However, during the first 24 hours, you will:

• Avoid rinsing your mouth vigorously or drinking through a straw.
• Avoid brushing your teeth immediately after surgery. After 24 hours, only use a manual brush for a week or more during the healing process.
• Do not drink alcohol, and do not use mouthwash containing alcohol.
• Don't force your jaw to open – you may have limited movement for a few days.
• Do not use tobacco of any type for at least 72 hours.

Also, be aware that:

• If there are stitches, you will learn how they will be removed.
• Activities usually resume the day after the procedure, but some people may need more time to heal.
• Some swelling and bruising may appear. Use an ice pack as directed to reduce swelling.

How to manage to bleed

Your dental surgeon will provide information about bleeding, including how to manage to bleed after you leave the dental clinic. It is recommended to avoid coughing up excess blood, as you don't want to remove the clot that forms. Bleeding should slow and stop within 24 hours. The dressing in your mouth after the procedure should be able to control most bleeding. If you continue to bleed at home, call your surgeon to find out how to help you heal.

Pain management

You may have some pain once the effects of the anesthesia have completely worn off. Generally, this should improve within the next few days with the help of prescribed anti-inflammatories and painkillers. You can also use a cold or hot compress on your jaw to help reduce swelling, which helps lessen the pain. Your surgeon will tell you what to do if the pain is severe, which can happen if there is nerve exposure. This may mean returning for a follow-up to ensure a blood clot has formed properly.

What to eat and drink after wisdom tooth extraction

Drinking plenty of water after your procedure is important to rehydrate yourself. Avoid alcoholic, carbonated, and hot drinks for at least one full day. It is also important not to drink through a straw, as the suction effect can pull the blood clot out.

Eat only soft foods for the first 24 hours. After that, consider semi-solid foods like applesauce and yogurt. You can start eating more semi-soft foods over the next few days as you tolerate them. Avoid very hard foods, gummy foods, or hot or spicy foods.

Healing

Give your body time to heal. Eat a healthy, nutrient-dense diet, sleep, and keep stress to a minimum. Healing can take up to 6 weeks. However, most people can resume normal activities the next day. It is recommended to avoid strenuous activity for at least a week. As mentioned above, you should try to refrain from smoking or using tobacco products during the healing process.

Call your surgeon immediately if you feel visible bone at the extraction site, severe pain radiating from the socket to your neck or a foul odor.

Manage possible complications

As with any medical procedure, there is some degree of risk of complications. This includes the development of an infection. Call your dentist immediately if you notice swelling, excessive bleeding, fever, or discharge from the extraction site.

You could also get a dry socket when a blood clot doesn't form over the hole. If this happens, it can expose the nerve causing significant damage. Be sure to contact your doctor about this risk as soon as possible.

Your first step: Make an appointment

If you think you have impacted wisdom teeth, do not hesitate to contact your dentist to confirm the diagnosis and to treat the situation immediately with the appropriate treatment. At dentist in Arlington VA, our dentists are specialists in dental surgery, so you can trust them to help you relieve your pain by extracting your wisdom teeth. Request an appointment now.