Wisdom tooth removal is not painful due to numbing and sedation. You may experience mild pressure or discomfort, but with the experienced Hawthorn Road Family Dental team, you can be assured that your safety is our top priority. From your comfort during the procedure to the recovery process at home, our oral health professionals will help set you up for success when it comes to this common oral surgery.
All of that being said, planning for an oral surgery like having your wisdom teeth removed is different than getting a filling or even an implant installed. When you’re prepared and know what to expect, it can improve your recovery process and help put your mind at ease.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Your wisdom teeth are the third set of permanent (adult) molars to erupt. Typically the first two sets of molars erupt sometime around ages 6 and 12, respectively. That gives us 12 molars in total, four of which are wisdom teeth. But wisdom teeth erupt when you’re older, and all of the other teeth have already erupted. That’s how they earn the name “wisdom teeth” because people are typically older and at least a bit wiser once their third molars fully develop.
In fact, these four molars may continue developing well into your mid to late 30s. That being said, it’s not uncommon to see the upper portions of the wisdom teeth start to erupt through the gums during your late teens. There is a window of several years where these teeth grow, which is why it’s so common for teens, college students, and young adults to experience complications at varying stages of life.
The wisdom teeth form behind the back molar in each quadrant of your mouth; that is, one in the upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left.
Thanks to access to preventative dental care and more of us preserving our teeth for longer periods of time, wisdom teeth are not as necessary to us as they were to our ancestors. Because they’re located in the very back of the mouth, these molars help replace any missing teeth required for grinding food and breaking it up for digestive purposes.
Does Everyone Have Wisdom Teeth?
Almost everyone has four wisdom teeth. But there are some exceptions! Some people have genetically missing wisdom teeth, leaving them with only 2 or 3 of them, or none at all! If one of your parents had missing wisdom teeth, there is a good chance that you will as well. On the other hand, supernumerary (extra) teeth may also occur behind wisdom teeth, meaning there are more than four new molars developing in the back of your mouth. Supernumerary teeth are fairly rare, but our Caulfield North dentist can usually remove them during your wisdom tooth surgery.
Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed. But if they develop complications such as pain, crowding, or infection, removing your third molars will protect the health and vitality of your surrounding smile.
At Hawthorn Road Family Dental, we recommend removing wisdom teeth if they place your adjacent teeth at risk of complications or if consistent discomfort is present.
Wisdom Teeth Pain Symptoms
One of the most common complications of wisdom teeth is pain. The discomfort may be due to pressure or swelling in the back of the jaws, caused by impaction or partial impaction. The discomfort is often due to a lack of space for the wisdom teeth to erupt correctly inside the mouth.
Painful wisdom teeth typically come and go, with symptoms worse some days and better on others. Unfortunately, discomfort typically won’t resolve on its own, which is why wisdom tooth removal is frequently recommended.
By removing wisdom teeth, we eliminate the source of discomfort at the back of the jaw and help protect the healthy teeth adjacent to them. While the pain may be manageable at times, we still need to protect the surrounding teeth to avoid the risk of infection, decay, or structural damage in otherwise healthy teeth.
Some of the most noticeable side effects and symptoms of wisdom tooth eruption include:
- Crowded teeth or teeth shifting throughout the mouth
- Swelling in the gums or jaws
- A bad taste coming from those areas of your mouth
- Decay or gum disease around the adjacent tooth
- Partial eruption through the gums
- Food packing down around erupting teeth
- Cysts that are visible on your X-rays
How Wisdom Teeth Are Removed
Unlike a traditional dental extraction where the tooth is already fully erupted, wisdom tooth removal involves a straightforward oral surgery in that the gum tissues may need to be slightly opened to access the wisdom tooth.
The most important thing to know is that your mouth will be fully numbed at the surgical site. If you’re awake without sedation, the only thing you’ll expect to feel is a bit of pressure. However, many people elect to have sedation during their wisdom tooth surgery to help tune things out and feel as relaxed as possible.
Due to the nature of wisdom teeth and how they often grow at an angle, it may be necessary to segment the tooth and remove it in portions rather than extract it as a whole unit. This is both safe and predictable, ensuring the best interest of our patients.
After wisdom teeth are extracted, the oral surgery site will need approximately 7-10 days to heal before resuming a normal diet.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Complications
As with any form of oral surgery, there are limited situations where a complication can and may arise. The most common complication is a dry socket.
Dry sockets are typically quite uncomfortable and result in delayed healing times. They occur when the blood clot inside the extraction site becomes dislodged, exposing the underlying bone structure. While most wisdom tooth removal surgeries require 1-2 weeks to recover, a dry socket may cause discomfort for more than two weeks if not treated by our Caulfield North dentist.
Thankfully, it’s possible to reduce the chances of a dry socket by carefully following your home care instructions. Such as:
- Keeping your head elevated for the first 24-48 hours
- Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, carbonated, or hot beverages
- Not drinking through a straw
- Only eating soft foods for the first several days
- Taking all medication as directed
- Only cleaning your mouth as instructed
- Avoiding vigorous swishing or rinsing
- Avoiding rigorous physical activities or exercise
Dry sockets only affect a small percentage of wisdom tooth surgeries. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can help reduce your risk for this oral surgery complication.
How Long Does Pain After Wisdom Tooth Extraction Last?
With a typical wisdom tooth extraction, discomfort typically improves after 3 or 4 days, with day three usually being the most noticeable in regard to discomfort. If you are developing an infection or dry socket, the pain may last as long as two weeks without professional treatment.
Thankfully, most people only need about a week to recover before they resume normal work or school activities after oral surgery. Some may need a little closer to two weeks. If you’re working or completing schoolwork from home, you’ll likely be able to do so after a few days.
If you’re experiencing any symptoms of a dry socket, it’s important that we see you as quickly as possible to treat the extraction site. Otherwise, discomfort can become worse and last for longer than two weeks.
Wisdom Teeth Pain Relief
Most people do well with an over-the-counter pain reliever used for anti-inflammatory purposes, such as Motrin or ibuprofen. This medicine reduces inflammation, which is the most common cause of discomfort following any type of oral surgery. To limit or prevent pain after wisdom tooth removal, we recommend:
- Taking an anti-inflammatory as directed, especially for the first 3-4 days
- Taking your antibiotic as prescribed until the entire prescription is complete
- Applying a cold compress to the side of your face on and off every 20 minutes during the first day
- Keeping your head elevated for the first 1-2 days
- Rinsing with warm saltwater
- Communicating with our office if symptoms worsen
What to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal
A soft diet will help you stay fuelled without the risk of irritating your extraction sites. Avoid hard, crunchy, or otherwise irritating food textures for at least ten days following your wisdom tooth removal.
As you’re preparing for your recovery, be sure to stock up on soft, safe-to-eat foods like:
- Gelatine
- Pudding
- Yoghurt
- Cottage cheese
- Mashed potatoes
- Ice-cream
- Protein shakes
- Grits
…and foods of similar textures. After 3-4 days, you can begin eating slightly firmer foods that require more chewing, but only if you take care to avoid chewing around your surgical sites. Such as sandwiches or soft fruits. Reserve harder textures for later.
Wisdom Tooth Removal Consultations
If you have concerns about wisdom tooth surgery for yourself or your teen, we encourage you to reserve a no-obligation consultation at Hawthorn Road Family Dental in Caulfield North. We’ll be happy to assess your situation and answer any questions you may have. Our dedicated team is committed to your safety, health, and comfort at all times. Contact us today to reserve your next appointment.
