Your dentist says it’s time to remove your wisdom teeth. They may refer you to an oral surgeon, who will do the procedure in their office. It should only take a few days for you to heal and feel back to normal. Show Why Take Them Out?Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars in the back of your mouth. They usually come in between the ages of 17 and 25, and they're spotted on X-rays. Most people have them removed for one of these reasons:
Before SurgeryYou’ll meet with the oral surgeon to talk about the process. At this appointment, make sure you:
During SurgeryYour surgery should take 45 minutes or less. You’ll get one of these types of anesthesia so you don’t feel pain during the removal:
Your doctor may have to cut your gums or bone to get the teeth out. If so, they'll stitch the wounds shut so they heal quickly. These stitches usually dissolve after a few days. They may also stuff gauze pads in your mouth to soak up some of the blood. Everyone responds differently to anesthesia. If you had a local anesthetic and feel alert, you might be able to drive home to begin your recovery. You might even be able to go back to work or do your normal activities. If you had general anesthesia or still feel drowsy, you’ll need someone to drive you home. Most people have little to no pain after surgery. You'll likely have swelling and mild discomfort for 3 or so days. Your mouth may need a few weeks to completely heal. Follow your doctor’s instructions for a quicker recovery. Here are some tips for the first 3 days after surgery: Dos:
Don’ts:
SOURCES: Richard E. Bauer III, DMD, MD, assistant professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Louis K. Rafetto, DMD, PA, vice president, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Wilmington, DE. Wisdom tooth extraction is a routine procedure that often takes between 15 to 45 minutes. During the procedure, the dentist will first inject the site with local anaesthesia. Next, dental tools are used to elevate and grasp the tooth. The tooth is then moved back and forth until the ligaments holding it in place are broken and it can be pulled out. Wisdom tooth surgeryIn cases where the wisdom tooth is impacted or particularly difficult to extract, wisdom tooth surgery may be necessary. This surgical procedure can be performed painlessly with local anaesthesia. During wisdom teeth surgery, the dental surgeon makes a small incision to expose the tooth and surrounding bone. Several cuts may then be used to remove bone tissue and make the tooth easier to remove by splitting it into parts. Finally, the dentist will clean the area and stitch it up. What day is most painful after wisdom teeth?Wisdom Teeth Pain is the Worst the First 1-3 Days. The worst discomfort occurs during the first six hours after local anesthetic has worn off. Take your medication while you are still numb. People do better when they take their medications on time and stay ahead of pain and swelling.
Why is Day 3 after wisdom teeth removal the worst?Days 3-4: While swelling will peak during this time, the throbbing pain will give way to general soreness. Don't be alarmed if it's difficult to open your mouth completely. This will soon subside. Oral hygiene is important to keep the extraction sites clean.
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