Wisdom Tooth
Extraction

There are chances your wisdom tooth is likely to be impacted. It means that the new wisdom tooth remains intact in the soft tissues of your gum. Your third molar might partially break or erupt through your gums in such a scenario.
It could lead to infection and swelling of your jaw (jaw pain) and your mouth. Furthermore, the misaligned position of the wisdom tooth might become difficult to brush or floss, thus making it prone to decay and gum disease.
Your mouth has four sets of wisdom teeth, two on each lower and upper jaw. However, most people do not get wisdom teeth due to lifestyle changes. This is probably because your jaws do not develop properly and thoroughly, restraining the wisdom teeth from growing in the limited space.

Your dentist will closely monitor the development of your wisdom teeth during your routine appointments. Dental x-rays will be conducted often to see how the teeth are growing. They may also discuss extracting them if they have become impacted or if there are causing problems like:

• Tooth decay
• Infection
• Periodontal disease
• Damage to surrounding teeth
• Tooth loss
• Bone loss

Your dentist might suggest wisdom teeth extraction even if you are not experiencing any current signs or symptoms. This could stop potential problems before they start. As we all know, wisdom teeth are situated in an area challenging to clean regularly. Hence it is hard to maintain good oral hygiene with them in place.

While wisdom tooth surgery is a minor surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia; if you feel nervous about it, you can opt to go through the procedure sedated or under general anesthesia.

During the wisdom tooth surgery, the surgeon will lift the overlying gums to uncover the wisdom teeth and surrounding bone. The tooth is then sectioned and removed. After which, the gums are stitched back into their original position.

After wisdom tooth surgery, you may experience some bleeding, which can be stopped by biting down on gauze. You should also rest for the rest of the day. You should avoid the following during this period:

• Eating food that needs to be chewed
• Mouthwash
• Spitting up
• Strenuous exercise
• Drinking carbonated beverages

Because a blood clot forms in the socket where the wisdom tooth was extracted to speed up the healing process, these actions can dislodge the blood clot and expose bone and nerves, causing a painful condition called dry socket. See your dentist immediately if you think you have this condition.

Over the next 24-72 hours, some pain or minor swelling may be expected, which can be reduced by painkillers. Placing an ice pack on the outside of your face in five minute intervals also helps decrease pain during the first 18 hours.

Your dentist or dental surgeon may prescribe pain medications to help relieve pain. As some cause nausea, it is advisable to take these medications with plenty of clear liquid to prevent or decrease nausea.

During the recovery period, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene to avoid infection. The day after your surgery, you may:

• Use a soft toothbrush to gently clean all areas of your mouth except the wound.
• Rinse your mouth frequently with warm salt water or antibacterial mouthwash.

Your dentist may also prescribe antibiotics, which you should take as directed.

Typically, it takes about 3-5 days to recover from a wisdom tooth surgery. Your dentist may schedule a review at the dental clinic 5-7 days after the wisdom tooth surgery. During the visit, your dentist will remove your stitches and assess your wound.