In short, your wisdom tooth extraction shouldn’t hurt as you’ll be administered an anesthetic during the procedure to eliminate any pain. As well, your dental professional may recommend you take OTC medications that contain acetaminophen if you experience pain after surgery. They can also prescribe something more substantial to help manage the pain.
Continue reading to get a quick overview of what to expect with a wisdom tooth extraction.
During The Procedure
Depending on the expected complexity of your extraction coupled with your comfort level, you’ll end up receiving one of three types of anesthesia.
- Local anesthesia. Your dentist will inject the local anesthetic at the site of the tooth extraction after using a numbing substance. You’ll be conscious throughout the entire procedure, and although you’ll feel some pressure or movement, you won’t experience any pain.
- Sedation anesthesia. IV sedation allows you to sleep through the procedure so you won’t feel a thing! A dental professional will also numb your gums.
- General anesthesia. If you’re not a big fan of needles, you can inhale general anesthesia. Like IV sedation, you’ll be asleep throughout the entire procedure and your vitals will be monitored by a surgical team.
After The Procedure
When the procedure is done, the anesthesia will begin to wear off. You can expect some pain, swelling and light bleeding. Your dentist will advise you on how to take care of your mouth post-surgery. Here are some common suggestions for a healthy recovery:
- Be careful not to dislodge the blood clot from where your teeth were removed.
- Avoid brushing, spitting, flossing, or rinsing your mouth for the first 24 hours of recovery.
- Don’t drink from a straw, smoke or suck on hard candies for at least three days after the oral surgery as the sucking action can remove or rupture the blood clot.
- Avoid consuming solid foods, alcohol, coffee, soda or hot beverages in the first few days after your surgery.
It typically takes your mouth about three days to a week to heal after the procedure. You can expect swelling of the mouth and cheeks to go down in about three days and the stiffness and soreness to go away within seven to 10 days. Feel free to place an ice pack over the jaw to reduce the swelling. The cold helps reduce inflammation and the discomfort that comes with it.
Interested in learning more about what to expect during a wisdom tooth extraction? Talking to a dental professional is the best place to start! You can ask us questions or go over any concerns you may have, which can be helpful to prepare for the procedure. We can go over pain management options, therefore helping ease your nerves. Schedule an appointment with Kildonan Crossing Dental Centre today. We’re a family-friendly clinic located in Transcona, near Lagimodiere Boulevard and Regent Avenue.