Wisdom Tooth Extraction (Removal)

What to Expect from a Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Having wisdom teeth extracted is a pretty common dental procedure. Most dentists have experience performing this procedure, and you may have it done in your teenage years or as an adult. Whatever the case, there are things you should know about the extraction before having it done so you know what to expect.

For wisdom teeth facts click here.

The Pain Involved With a Tooth Removal

The first thing most people want to know about any dental procedure is how much pain will be involved. Thankfully, having a tooth extracted, even one as large as a wisdom tooth, is relatively painless. The dentist will administer some form of anesthesia to numb the area. The anesthesia may only be localized, injected into the extraction site, or it can be inhaled or introduced intravenously.

You should not feel any pain during the extraction process, and depending on the kind of anesthesia used, you may not even remember most of the procedure.

Now, after the extraction, once you have left the dentist’s office, you will feel some pain. The dentist will prescribe some painkillers for you, and you need to be careful what you do to the affected area while it heals to keep it from hurting more. So long as you are careful and you take the pain meds regularly, you should feel very little pain.

How the Tooth Is Extracted

The dentist may take out the entire tooth at once or break it up into pieces. It depends on the condition of the tooth and how large it is. The dentist will make an incision in the gum to get at the root of the tooth and to extract it more easily. Also, the dentist will remove some of your bone to allow for easier access to the tooth. The extraction area will be cleaned thoroughly after the tooth is taken out, and the dentist will stitch back up any open tissue, if necessary.

The Aftermath

It can take weeks for the area to heal fully after a wisdom tooth extraction. Here you can find some great info on wisdom teeth removal recovery tips. During that time, you will have to be very gentle with the affected area. You won’t be able to brush your teeth for a day or two, and or even rinse out your mouth with water. You can apply a damp towel to your mouth if you want some relief from a dirty mouth.

You have to control what you eat and drink after the surgery as well. You should not drink carbonated beverages, coffee or anything very hot, as it can damage the healing area. You should also not smoke for several days and try to eat soft food as much as possible. You definitely want to drink a lot of water following the surgery, though, as that will help you heal faster.

We have a nice list here on what to eat after wisdom teeth removal.

The best way to heal quickly is to simply get lots of rest. When you sleep, your body is able to heal very effectively, so plan for some time off from work or school following the procedure as you recuperate.