Wisdom Teeth Removal is a complex, but much needed procedure. If you have had your wisdom teeth removed then the answer to this question is going to depend on a few factors. Specifically, it will depend on how well you followed your doctor’s aftercare instructions and what type of surgery was done. For example, if you did not follow their advice and ate hot food right away following the removal of impacted wisdom teeth or if they were removed by an ■■■■ surgeon with a surgical incision in the mouth (instead of using lasers), then there may be some degree of discomfort that could last for hours or even days depending on how severe it is.
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars that grow in. They usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25, but they can show up as late as age 40 or early on before birth (known as congenitally missing). Wisdom tooth removal is most common for adults who have too little space to accommodate these third molars. Some people never get wisdom teeth. In others, wisdom teeth erupt normally, like other molars, and do not cause any problems.
Many people develop impacted wisdom teeth - teeth that do not have enough room to erupt in their mouth or develop normally. Impacted wisdom teeth may erupt only partially or not at all.
THE NEED FOR REMOVAL
When wisdom teeth are causing trouble, or x-rays show they might down the line, they have to come out.
Other good reasons to remove them include:
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Damage to other teeth
This extra set of molars can move other teeth, causing mouth pain and bite problems. -
Jaw damage
Cysts can form around new teeth. If left untreated, they can gouge your jaw and damage your nerves. -
Sinus problems
Wisdom teeth problems can lead to sinus pain, pressure, and nasal congestion. -
Inflammation of the gums
The tissues around this area can be swollen and difficult to clean. -
Cavities
Swollen gums can create pockets between teeth that promote bacterial growth and tooth decay. -
Alignment
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause crowding of other teeth and may even require treatment to straighten them.
PROBLEMS WITH IMPACTED WISDOM TEETH
You will likely need to have your impacted wisdom tooth removed if it causes problems such as:
- Pain
- Trap food and debris behind the wisdom tooth
- Infection or disease of the gums (periodontal disease)
- Tooth decay in a partially erupted wisdom tooth
- Damage to a nearby tooth or surrounding bone
- Development of a fluid-filled sac (cyst) around the wisdom tooth
- Complications with orthodontic treatments to straighten other teeth
CORONECTOMY
A coronectomy can be a treatment option. It can be offered when the lower tooth nerve is in close contact with the wisdom tooth. This technique only removes the top of the wisdom tooth, leaving some of the tooth roots behind. This in order to minimize the risk to the nerve. However, there is less than a 3% risk that you will have to remove the remaining roots at a later date or there may be delayed healing. The consultation will check whether this option is suitable for you.
NO TREATMENT
If the wisdom tooth is in a position where it has not caused problems and there is little risk of developing a problem, one option may be to leave the wisdom tooth where it is. Your dentist can still check your wisdom teeth along with the rest of your teeth if you attend your routine exam. If necessary, your dentist may need to take an x-ray of the wisdom teeth. However, over time, circumstances can change and the risk of a problem with your wisdom teeth can increase. This treatment is then required. The time when treatment is required can be decided by you and the dentist or specialist. It is important to check your wisdom teeth as problems can arise without you knowing about them until serious symptoms appear.
PRECAUTIONS
If you have a medical problem that requires you to take medicines such as immunosuppressants or medicines that affect the bones, it is advisable to have an assessment of your teeth, including your wisdom teeth, before starting these medicines. Having a tooth extracted while taking these medicines can slow the healing of a tooth socket. In rare cases, the socket may not heal at all. The assessment may recommend the need to remove teeth with a poor prognosis, including your wisdom teeth.
If you are planning to travel abroad for a long time and access to a dentist or specialist is difficult, consideration may be given to treating your wisdom teeth and other teeth before you leave.
WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL PROCEDURE
The procedure for the removal of impacted wisdom teeth is usually done in the dental office and under local anaesthesia. The dentist will numb your mouth as you lay on a reclining chair most often with nitrous oxide to allow breathing or using an IV sedative, before adjusting the lower jaw forward so that it provides more room for the extraction.
During the procedure
Your dentist or dental surgeon can use one of three types of anesthesia, depending on the expected difficulty of wisdom tooth extraction and your level of comfort. Options include:
-
Local anesthesia.
Your dentist or dental surgeon will apply local anesthesia with one or more injections near the site of each extraction. Before you get an injection, your dentist or surgeon will most likely apply a substance to your gums to numb your gums. You are awake during a tooth extraction. Although you will feel some pressure and movement, you should not be in pain. -
Sedative anesthesia.
Your dentist or dental surgeon administers sedation through an intravenous (IV) tube in your arm. Sedation suppresses consciousness during the procedure. You do not feel pain and you will have a limited memory of the procedure. You will also be given a local anesthetic to numb your gums. -
General anesthesia.
In special cases, you may be offered general anesthesia. You can inhale the medicine through your nose, put an IV in your arm, or both. Then you pass out. Your surgical team closely monitors your medication, breathing, temperature, fluids, and blood pressure. You will not feel pain or remember the procedure. Local anesthesia is also used to relieve postoperative discomfort.
During a wisdom tooth extraction, your dentist or dental surgeon:
- Makes an incision in the gum tissue to expose the tooth and bone.
- Removes bone that blocks access to the root of the tooth
- Divides a tooth into pieces if it is easier to remove it piece by piece
- Removes a tooth
- Cleans the extracted tooth site from any residual tooth or bone
- Sews up the wound to speed up healing, although this is not always necessary
- Places gauze over the site of removal to stop bleeding and promote blood clot formation.
Afterward, you will need to take care of your mouth with good ■■■■ hygiene, which includes brushing and flossing.
WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL RECOVERY TIME
Most people experience little or no pain after surgery. You will most likely have swelling and mild discomfort within 3 days or so. It may take several weeks for complete healing.
WISDOM TEETH AFTERCARE
Bleeding
Blood oozing can occur on the first day after removal of the wisdom tooth. Try to avoid excessive spitting up so as not to dislodge the blood clot from the cavity. Replace the gauze at the extraction site as directed by your Dental Care dentist or ■■■■ surgeon.
Pain management
You may be able to manage the pain with an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), or a pain reliever prescribed by your dentist or ■■■■ surgeon. Prescription pain relievers can be especially helpful if the bone was removed during the procedure. Holding a cold compress against your jaw can also relieve pain.
Swelling and bruising
Use an ice pack as directed by your dentist or surgeon. Any swelling in your cheeks usually improves within two to three days. It may take several days for bruising to go away.
Activity. After your surgery, plan to rest for the rest of the day. Resume your normal activities the next day, but for at least a week, avoid strenuous activities that could lead to the loss of the blood clot from the socket.
Beverages
Drink plenty of water after the surgery. Do not drink alcoholic, caffeinated, carbonated or hot drinks in the first 24 hours. Do not drink through a straw for at least a week as the sucking action may dislodge the blood clot from the cavity.
Food
Eat only soft foods, like yogurt or applesauce, for the first 24 hours. Start eating semi-soft foods when you can tolerate them. Avoid hard, chewy, hot, or spicy foods that could get stuck in the cavity or irritate the wound.
Clean your mouth
Do not brush your teeth, rinse your mouth, spit, or use mouthwash for the first 24 hours after surgery. Typically, you will be asked to resume brushing your teeth after the first 24 hours. Be especially gentle near the surgical wound when brushing and gently rinse your mouth with lukewarm salt water every two hours and after meals for a week.
The use of tobacco
If you Smoke, don’t do it for at least 72 hours after surgery - and wait longer than that if possible. If you chew tobacco, don’t use it for at least a week. Using tobacco products after ■■■■ surgery can delay healing and increase the risk of complications.
Stitches
You may have stitches that dissolve within a few weeks or no stitches at all. If your points need to be removed, make an appointment to have them removed.
DO’S AND DONT’S FOR WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL
To Do:
- Use an ice pack on your face to curb swelling or changes in skin color.
- Use moist heat for a sore jaw.
- Gently open and close your mouth to exercise your jaw.
- Eat soft foods like pasta, rice, or soup.
- Drink lots of fluids.
- Brush your teeth on the second day. Do not rub against blood clots.
- Take medications prescribed by your doctor to relieve pain or swelling.
- Call your doctor if you have a fever or if your pain or swelling does not improve.
Not To Do:
- Do not drink through a straw. Sucking can loosen blood clots that help your mouth heal.
- Do not rinse your mouth too much. Your doctor may suggest rinsing gently with salt water.
- Don’t eat hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that could scratch your sores.
- Do not smoke. Smoking can slow your recovery.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is wisdom teeth removal?
A tooth that has fully erupted from the jaw bone through the gums into its rightful place in the mouth. Wisdom teeth are usually located at either side of each corner of your upper jaw.
How long after wisdom teeth removal can I eat a burger?
This largely depends on the person but as a general rule, it is typically recommended to wait at least 24 hours. The reason for this recommendation is that the extraction may cause some bleeding and pain in your mouth which could make eating difficult or unpleasant.
How long after wisdom teeth removal can I eat?
After a burger: at least 24 hours. After other food items: General rule is to wait until the wound has healed up and you are no longer experiencing pain for any particular foods before eating them again.
How much pain should I expect after my wisdom tooth extraction?
This largely depends on the person but as a general rule, it is typically recommended to wait at least 24 hours. The reason for this recommendation is that the extraction may cause some bleeding and pain in your mouth which could make eating difficult or unpleasant.
What is the recovery time for a wisdom tooth extraction?
The recovery time for a wisdom tooth extraction is usually around six weeks.
How long after wisdom teeth removal can i eat a burger ?
After a burger: at least 24 hours. After other food items: General rule is to wait until the wound has healed up and you are no longer experiencing pain for any particular foods before eating them again.
Do I expect much paint after my wisdom tooth extraction? This question is a little tricky because every person heals differently.
What are wisdom teeth and what do they do?
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars that people have in their mouths. They usually come up through your gums between ages 17 - 25 years old
The primary function of wisdom teeth is to help grind down food, but they also may serve some other functions like helping with chewing or filling out a person’s bite.
Some people have wisdom teeth that never make it up through the gums and they remain in your jawbone or under the gum line.
What are some Wisdom tooth extraction risks?
Possible risks include anesthesia complications, infection or swelling, and nerve damage
The surgeon will be able to let you know how likely these risks are. They may also recommend a sedative for the procedure so that you have less anxiety about it.
What should I have for breakfast on the day of my surgery?
Clear liquids, such as water, juice, or broth. If you take medications that need to be taken with a meal, make sure they are on an empty stomach at least two hours before surgery time.
What can I eat after wisdom teeth removal?
When you leave the hospital: soft foods and liquid foods. After a week: soft mashed potatoes, scrambled egg, yogurt, and soup with noodles or rice .
It can take weeks to months for your mouth to heal fully after surgery due to swelling and the healing of bone tissue around teeth roots. Your dentist will give you more specific instructions on how long it is safe for you to eat certain foods.
How long after wisdom teeth removal can i eat popcorn?
Popcorn and hard and crispy foods should be avoided for at least two weeks. This type of diet slows healing when it gets stuck at the surgery site.
How long after wisdom teeth removal can i eat chips?
After wisdom tooth extraction, french fries and other hard and crispy foods should be avoided. Solid foods can loosen the blood clot and dry out nests. Chips and solid foods can be started after the surgical area has fully healed, which takes two to eight weeks, depending on the complexity of the extraction.
How long does it take to remove a wisdom tooth?
This is a variable. Some wisdom teeth can be removed in just a few minutes. More complex wisdom teeth, which need to be cut into pieces, can take about 20 minutes to remove.
What else should i do after extraction?
It is important to keep the extraction sites as clean as possible for the first few weeks after surgery. It can be difficult to clean your teeth around the extraction sites as it is painful and if so, it is best to keep the area free of food debris by gently rinsing with a mouthwash or salt water. lukewarm (dissolving a flat teaspoon of kitchen salt in a cup of lukewarm water) from the day after surgery.
Do I have to take time off school/work?
Usually, it will be necessary to take a few days off and avoid strenuous exercise during this time. Depending on the type of anesthetic used, you may not be able to Drive (24 hours after intravenous sedation and for 48 hours after general anesthesia).