Need to have a wisdom tooth extracted? Learn what to expect from the procedure to get some peace of mind.

Suppose your dentist says you need to have your wisdom teeth extracted. It’s natural to feel a bit of anxiety. Getting a wisdom tooth removed is probably as feared as a root canal. Yet it’s a standard procedure, with one study estimating that 10 million third molars or wisdom teeth are extracted from 5 million adults yearly. 

Your dentist or oral surgeon will prepare you for the extraction and guide you through recovery. To ease any apprehension, read on to learn what to expect before and after a wisdom tooth removal.

What are wisdom teeth, and why do we have them?

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that erupt in the back of your mouth. They usually develop when you’re between 17 and 25.

Our ancient ancestors once needed those extra molars to chew hard, tough foods. But as foods became more processed and easier to chew, we no longer needed them. Further, our jaws shrank in size, which left little room for those extra molars. 

As a result, when wisdom teeth erupt now, they become impacted in the jaw, causing pain, infection, and possible damage to other teeth. Yet sometimes, people experience no symptoms from wisdom teeth. Even so, removing asymptomatic wisdom teeth is recommended to prevent complications. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, some 85% of third molars will eventually need to be removed. And it’s better to extract wisdom teeth at a younger age to avoid painful problems in the future.

What to expect from your wisdom teeth extraction

Your dentist will instruct you on medications you should not take before the procedure. They will also discuss anesthesia, likely local anesthesia, IV sedation, or general anesthesia. If you’re receiving anesthesia that puts you to sleep, you may be asked not to eat or drink before the procedure.

The dentist or oral surgeon will cut through the gums or bone to view the wisdom tooth. They may need to remove bone to gain access to the tooth. To make removal easier, your dentist will break the tooth into pieces. The wisdom tooth is then fully extracted, and the site is sewn up with either regular or dissolving stitches. A gauze pad will be placed over the extraction area to help form a blood clot that protects the bone.

The entire process will take approximately 45 minutes. If you received local anesthesia, you can go home after a short rest period. After IV or general anesthesia, you should arrange for someone to drive you home.

The do’s and don’ts of recovering from a wisdom tooth extraction

Complete recovery typically takes about six weeks. However, you’ll experience the most discomfort during the first three days after the procedure — but that’s normal! To speed your healing, follow these tips:

• Do take over-the-counter medications or prescription pain relievers to reduce any discomfort.
• Do eat a soft diet for a few days and avoid hard, crunchy, and spicy foods.
• Do drink plenty of fluids.
• Do apply an ice pack to your jaw to reduce swelling and bruising.
• Do rinse gently with a mixture of warm water and salt.
• Do return to your normal activities, but avoid strenuous exercise.

• Don’t brush your teeth for several days. When starting to brush again, use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Don’t drink alcohol or use an alcohol-based mouthwash.
• Don’t smoke. It interferes with the healing process.
• Don’t sip through a straw. The sucking action could dislodge the blood clot and cause a painful dry socket.

If you’ve had stitches, you’ll return to your dentist to have them removed. Report any unusual symptoms such as excessive bleeding, fever, pus, persistent pain, and a bad taste in your mouth to your dentist. But generally, if you follow the above tips, you’ll have a successful recovery from a wisdom tooth extraction.

Your full-service dentist in Casper

Schedule an appointment at Espire’s Casper, Wyoming, location today! Our highly trained dentists can successfully extract your wisdom tooth so you don’t have to live with any pain or complications from it. Don’t live near our Casper, Wyoming, office? Find one of our other locations near you.

Casper, Wyoming
1530 Centennial Ct. 
Suite A 
Casper, WY 82609