Wisdom teeth removal isn’t likely to be high on your to-do list if they’re not bothering you. But, depending on how your teeth are situated, they can cause trouble to you in certain circumstances.
Wisdom tooth removal can be carried out by a general dentist or a specialist. An X-ray of your mouth will help to determine who should carry out the procedure.
Before having your wisdom teeth removed, you’ll be given an injection of local anaesthetics to numb the tooth and surrounding area.
If the tooth hasn’t come through the gum, a small cut (incision) will be made in the gum to access it. A small piece of the bone covering the tooth may also need to be removed.
The tooth may be cut into smaller parts to make it easier to remove through the opening.
You’ll feel some pressure just before the tooth is removed, as the dentist or oral surgeon needs to widen the tooth socket by rocking the tooth back and forth before taking it out.
You shouldn’t feel any pain as your wisdom teeth are removed because the area will be numb. However, if you do feel pain during the procedure, tell the dentist or oral surgeon so they can give you more anaesthetics.
How long it takes to remove the tooth will vary. Simple procedures can take a few minutes, but it can take longer if it’s more complicated.
If an incision has been made, stitches are used to seal the gum and removal of stitches may be necessary, usually 7 to 10 days after the surgery.
The dentist may place gauze over the site of the extraction and ask you to keep pressure on it by biting your jaws together for up to an hour. This is to allow a blood clot to form in the empty tooth socket. Blood clots are part of the healing process, so try not to dislodge them.
In some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed if you have an ongoing infection.
For the 24 hours after removing your wisdom tooth, you should:
- Avoid rinsing your mouth out with liquid
- Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking
- Avoid drinking hot liquids such as tea or soup
- Avoid strenuous physical activity