Wisdom Teeth Removal: What You Need to Know

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are your third molars. They are the last teeth to come in. Most people get them when they are 17 to 25 years old.

Why do wisdom teeth need to come out?

Wisdom teeth often need to be removed because:

• They get stuck under your gums (this is called impaction)
• They come in at a bad angle
• There is not enough room in your mouth
• They can cause pain and swelling
• They might hurt other teeth

Did you know? About 90% of adults have at least one impacted wisdom tooth.

Signs you may need wisdom teeth removal

How do you know if your wisdom teeth need to come out? Look for these things:

• Pain in the back of your mouth
• Swelling of your gums
• Red or tender gums
• Bad taste when you bite down
• Trouble opening your mouth

Getting ready for wisdom tooth surgery

Before your wisdom teeth come out, your oral surgeon will:

• Take X-rays of your mouth
• Ask about your health
• Talk about what kind of sleep medicine (called anesthesia) is best for you
• Tell you not to eat before surgery

Learn more about dental anxiety management at our clinic. Many people feel nervous about dental work!

Types of anesthesia for wisdom teeth removal

You can get different kinds of sleep medicine:

1. Local anesthesia – You are awake but your mouth is numb
2. IV sedation – You are very relaxed and may not remember the surgery
3. General anesthesia – You are fully asleep

The wisdom tooth procedure step by step

Here’s what happens when you get your wisdom teeth out:

1. The doctor gives you medicine to make you comfortable
2. They cut your gum to see the tooth
3. They may cut the tooth into small pieces to make it easier to remove
4. They take out the tooth
5. They clean the area
6. They may put in stitches
7. They put gauze on the spot to help a blood clot form

The whole thing takes about 30-60 minutes.

What to do after wisdom teeth removal

After your wisdom teeth come out:

First day (24 hours):

• Keep gauze in your mouth for a few hours
• Use ice packs on your face (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off)
• Rest with your head up
• Do not use straws – they can cause a painful problem called dry socket
• Do not spit or rinse your mouth
• Take your pain medicine as told

Days 2-7:

• Eat soft foods like:
  • Yogurt
  • Pudding
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Soup (not too hot)
• Use salt water to rinse your mouth
• Do not do hard exercise
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol

Looking for options to manage dental pain after procedures? Check our custom mouth guards.

Recovery time for wisdom teeth

Most people feel better in 3-4 days after wisdom teeth removal. But full healing takes time:

Things that can go wrong (complications)

Sometimes problems can happen after wisdom teeth removal:

• Dry socket – when the blood clot comes out too soon (very painful)
• Infection – red, swollen, with pus
• Nerve damage – numb lip or tongue
• Damage to other teeth
• Sinus problems (for upper wisdom teeth)

Studies show that 2-5% of people get an infection after wisdom teeth removal. Taking antibiotics can cut this risk by about 70%.

Cost of wisdom teeth removal

The cost of wisdom tooth extraction can vary:

• Simple extraction: $75-$200 per tooth
• Surgical extraction: $225-$600 per tooth
• All four wisdom teeth with IV sedation: $1,000-$3,000 total

Your dental insurance might pay for some of it. Ask about payment plans.

For affordable dental restore options after extractions, visit our dental lab services.

When to call your oral surgeon

Call your doctor right away if:

• You have pain that gets worse after 3 days
• You have a fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
• You see pus or a lot of blood
• Your face is very swollen after 3 days
• You have numbness that doesn’t go away

Questions people often ask (FAQ)

Wisdom teeth bone graft

Sometimes after extraction, your doctor might put special material in the hole to help your bone heal. This is called a bone graft and helps:

• Keep the shape of your jaw
• Prevent your bone from shrinking
• Make the area heal better

Need advice on dental treatment after extractions? Our team can help with custom solutions.

Prophylactic extraction – taking out healthy wisdom teeth

Some doctors take out wisdom teeth before they cause problems. This is called prophylactic extraction. There are different opinions about whether this is a good idea.

Reasons for:

• Preventing future problems
• Easier surgery when you’re younger
• Less complex healing

Reasons against:

• Surgery always has risks
• Some wisdom teeth never cause problems
• Cost of unnecessary surgery

Pericoronitis treatment

Pericoronitis is when the gum around a partly erupted wisdom tooth gets infected. Signs are:

• Red, swollen gum
• Pain
• Bad taste
• Trouble opening your mouth

It may be treated with:

• Antibiotics
• Salt water rinses
• Cleaning the area
• Wisdom tooth extraction

The American Dental Association and wisdom teeth

The American Dental Association says wisdom teeth might need to come out if they cause:

• Infection
• Damage to other teeth
• Cysts or tumors
• Gum disease
• Tooth decay

Using 3D CT scans for wisdom teeth planning

Many doctors now use 3D CT imaging to see exactly where your wisdom teeth are and how close they are to nerves and sinuses. This helps make surgery safer.

Wisdom teeth and orthodontic referrals

Sometimes your orthodontist will tell you to get your wisdom teeth out if they might push your other teeth out of place after braces.

Post-operative care tips for faster healing

To heal faster after wisdom teeth removal:

• Follow all your doctor’s instructions
• Take your medicine on schedule
• Use ice packs as told
• Eat soft foods
• Do not smoke or use tobacco
• Keep your follow-up appointments
• Get plenty of rest

Summary

Wisdom teeth removal is very common. Most people recover without problems in a week. By following your doctor’s aftercare instructions, you can help make your healing go smoothly.

Remember:

• Take your pain management medicine as told
• Watch for signs of infection
• Eat soft foods
• Do not use straws
• Call your doctor if you have concerns