Is wisdom teeth removal painful?

For the longest time, we have had the belief that wisdom teeth cause pain, and the worst is the process of removing them. This has caused anxiety and fear among individuals who want to undergo wisdom tooth removal. But how bad can it be? In the hands of an experienced dentist, extraction of wisdom teeth is a quick and painless procedure. At New Delhi Dental, we use sedation dentistry to ensure you are numb and comfortable during the process.

Reasons for Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to erupt. They come in between the age of 17 and 24. In most people, wisdom teeth are usually removed for the following reasons.

• When they are infected with cavities or gum disease. This is because you may be unable to reach your wisdom teeth with your dental floss or toothbrush.
• Wisdom teeth can come out abnormally since they are found at the far end of our mouths. Because of this, they can be impacted and be trapped in the jawbone or gums, which may be painful.
• Your wisdom teeth may also be removed if your jaw doesn’t have enough room for more molars or if you have a broken wisdom tooth.

Preparing for the Extraction

Wisdom tooth removal is always done as an outpatient procedure. You will be given instructions at the dental clinic on what is expected of you. However, you should be prepared with a list of questions you may want to ask your dentist. Some of these questions may include:

• The number of wisdom teeth that are to be removed
• The type of anesthesia you will receive
• How complicated will the procedure be, and how long will it last
• Has the impacted tooth caused damage to the other teeth
• Is there a risk of nerve damage
• How long will the extracted site take to heal

What Happens During the Procedure

The time it will take to remove the wisdom tooth varies. Simple procedures take a few minutes, while complex ones will take more time. You will be given one of the following anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the extraction and comfort levels.

• Local anesthesia. It is administered with one or multiple injections near the extraction site. Before receiving the injections, a substance is applied to your gums to numb the area. You will be awake during the extraction. Expect to feel some pressure and movements throughout the procedure.
• Sedation anesthesia (IV). Sedation anesthesia is given using an intravenous line in your arm. It will make the procedure painless and suppress your consciousness. Patients on sedation anesthesia usually don’t recall anything about the procedure.
• General anesthesia. With general anesthesia, the one is sorely unconscious and unaware of their surroundings. Either breathing gas administers general anesthesia through a mask or drugs through a vein. You will sleep the whole time and may wake up an hour later after surgery.

After you receive your anesthesia, the dentist will begin the wisdom tooth removal. If the tooth hasn’t come out through the gums, a small cut is made to access it. The dentist will cut the tooth into smaller bits for easier removal. If the tooth has broken out of the gum, there will be no need to make an incision.

The procedure should be painless since the area is numb. Although, if you do feel pain and discomfort, share it with the dentist so they can add up more anesthetic.

What To Do After the Procedure

After the procedure, one will respond differently to the anesthesia administered. You may feel alert after you h the local anesthesia and still be able to drive home. However, if you have general anesthesia or feel drowsy, you will require a friend to get you home. You may experience little or no pain after surgery. Swelling and mild discomfort are normal for the first three days.

The following are some tips you should follow after wisdom tooth removal in Markham, ON.

• Press an ice pack on your face to relieve swelling or changes in your skin color
• Use a heating compress on your sore jaw.
• Eat soft food substances such as soups, yogurts, pasta, or mashed potatoes. Avoid sticky, hard, or crunchy foods that may disturb your wound.
• Exercise your jaw by opening and closing your mouth gently.
• Take a lot of fluids. Avoid using straws for drinking as they can loosen the blood clots vital for healing.