Wisdom teeth are the last 4 set of teeth that erupt in the mouth right at the end of your upper and lower jaws. Excruciating pain is generally experienced by most people during its eruption. 

They are called wisdom teeth because these permanent molars erupt at a mature age between 17-20 years. 

Initially, this tooth helped human ancestors to grind plant-based tissue. But, as humans evolved, our diet changed. The soft diet made the jaws less forwarded growth. This resulted in lesser space for wisdom tooth to erupt. 

                                 Did you know that wisdom teeth do not help you bite or chew? Well, ITS TRUE! 

  • Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to be Extracted?

                 ------- Impaction: Your wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt in the mouth and most often get stuck or impacted in the bone and are unable to erupt normally. 

                 ------- Wrong Angle of Eruption: In some cases, even though wisdom teeth have enough space, they tend to erupt at a wrong angle and press against other teeth triggering pain.

                 ------- Lack of Space: In ideal cases, all your teeth have the space to erupt in your mouth. But, in reality, this does not happen. When there isn’t enough space in your jaw for the eruption of the wisdom teeth, they get stuck in the jaw and causes pain and swelling. 

  • SYMPTOMS:

-- Pain behind molars which can increase with time.

-- Redness, swelling, tenderness which can lead to infection.

-- Pericoronitis: Inflammation of gingival flap around wisdom teeth is common.

-- Foul breath, bad taste can also be detected due to wisdom teeth.

-- Jaw pain and stiffness.

  • How impacted wisdom teeth are removed? 

                  A thorough check up is done. The examination allows to understand the complexity of the case. 

Then, the treatment is started. 

-- Anesthesia: Before having wisdom teeth removal, anesthesia is given nearby to the tooth to numb the area. 

-- Tooth Extraction: When you start to feel numbness in the jaw and cheek area, the wisdom tooth is extracted. You will not experience pain while removing the tooth, but you may feel little pulling pressure. 

Then, medicated gauze against the extracted wound is placed to stop the blood flow. 

After extraction, the numbness may stay for 30 minutes to 2 hours. You may feel little or no pain after the extraction. 

Your doctor may advise you to stop chewing the food in that jaw side. Apart from this, you can do your normal activities. 

  • How do you take care of your mouth after wisdom tooth removal?

-- Bleeding management:

             Bleeding is commonly seen after an extraction. Stop excessive spitting during this time. Placing a gauze over the extraction site can help to relieve the blood flow.

--Pain management: 

             Pain is one of the unavoidable features in wisdom tooth removal. Painkillers are prescribed. Normal pain will be solved by painkillers.

-- Swelling and bruising:

            Swelling of your cheeks usually improves in two or three days. You can use a ice pack as directed. 

  • What is the best thing to eat after getting wisdom teeth extracted?

             -- Food: Soft food consumption is advised during the first 2-3 days. You can start to eat semi-solid food when you can tolerate them. Hard chewy foods can stuck in the wound and irritate the extracted area.

             -- Avoid Beverages: Avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks in the first 24 hours of the treatment. Don’t drink with the straw. Drinking with a straw may lead to dislodging the blood clot from the extraction socket. 

  • When to call your Dentist?

             -- When you feel difficulty in breathing and swallowing.

             -- When you feel severe pain even after having the painkillers.

             -- Excessive bleeding.

             -- Pus in the extracted area.

             -- If you find swelling is not reducing even after 2-3 days. 

  • Frequently Asked Questions: 

1. Time to fully recover from a wisdom tooth extraction?

                After your wisdom tooth extraction surgery, it might take you up to 2 weeks to fully recover. You might have swollen mouth and cheeks for first few days, but it will be gradually improve as it heals. 

Use an ice pack for the first few days and then switch to warn water pack.

2. Is wisdom tooth removal painful? 

               No, wisdom tooth removal does not hurt. You should feel no pain during the treatment. After the surgery, you might feel a little discomfort. But, with proper care and rest, you will be back to normal in one week. 

3. What to do for a speedy recovery after wisdom tooth extraction?

              Get proper rest.

              Take your medicine as directed by your dentist.

              Use ice packs for the first 48 hours, then switch to a warm water pack.

              After 24 hours have passed, rinse your mouth with warm salt water several times a day. 

              Avoid hard food for a couple of days. 

4. Things to avoid after wisdom teeth removal:

             Don’t use hard brushes and avoid brushing near the extraction site.

             Don’t eat any hard foods and avoid crunchy or chewy foods.

             Don’t use a straw for a drink. Don’t smoke or drink alcohol.