Wisdom teeth removal can be a standard surgical procedure that usually goes well. However, complications may happen when wisdom teeth are extracted. Swelling, bleeding, and numbness can all be wisdom teeth removal complications. These complications can usually be avoided or reduced by following your dentist’s instructions. Notify your dentist if there are any concerns. Please find out the top 6 wisdom tooth extraction issues.
- A dry socket – is when a blood clot doesn’t form in the tooth’s socket or if it becomes dislodged.
- Nerve injury – This can cause temporary or permanent problems like tingling or numbness.
- infection – Signs include fever, yellow or white discharge from the extraction site, persistent pain, swelling, and high temperatures
- Bleeding – Contact your dentist immediately if you experience infection, bleeding, or severe pain from the wisdom teeth removal.
- Swelling – The swelling is most common in the cheek area and inside and outside the mouth. It’s usually more severe for the first two days. Then it will slowly subside. Can treat it with ice packs. There may be some bruising to the skin.
- Jaw stiffness – The jaw joint may become stiff or painful, and you might have difficulty opening the mouth. The discomfort will typically disappear within a few days, but it may persist for two weeks. You might need to stick to a low-calorie diet for at least a week. Do not force your jaw open if it isn’t ready. Also, allow the swelling to subside. This pain can be relieved by taking Ibuprofen.
What is wisdom tooth extraction?
Sometimes, wisdom teeth emerge in a way that impacts the gums or other teeth, or if there’s no room for them to open, they are entangled within the jaw and cause oral issues.
If they’re in a position difficult to reach while brushing, food particles are likely trapped there. This can lead to plaque and bacterial accumulation, which leads to decay.
Some wisdom teeth erupt without any problems, but others become impacted or cause pain and need removal.
Is wisdom tooth extraction painful?
The procedure itself should be generally painless since the area is completely numb. However, the consequences of the process can cause discomfort because of swelling and bleeding.
How is pain managed after wisdom tooth extraction?
You could expect discomfort or swell within the next 24 – 7 days. These may be controlled by taking painkillers. Applying an ice pack to the face outside at intervals of five minutes can help reduce pain over the initial 18 hours.
Your dentist or dental surgeon might prescribe pain medication to ease the pain. Because some can induce nausea, taking these drugs and plenty of fluids is advised to avoid or reduce nausea.
During recovery, it is essential to keep a clean mouth to prevent spreading infections. After your procedure, it is possible to:
- Use a soft brush to gently scrub all areas of your mouth, excluding the wound.
- Cleanse your mouth often using warm salt water or an antibacterial mouthwash.
Your dentist might prescribe antibiotics. You should follow as directed.
Generally, it takes 3 to 5 days to recover from a wisdom tooth extraction procedure. Your dentist can arrange a visit to the dental clinic between 5 and seven days following your procedure. The dentist will take out the stitches during your appointment and evaluate the wound.
How do you know if you need your wisdom tooth extraction?
There’s no set or fast rule of when you should remove your wisdom teeth. Some individuals choose not to remove their wisdom teeth when they’re not causing them any discomfort.
Due to the effects, they could affect the health of your mouth, so it’s typically recommended to get them removed. The signs to look for are:
- A pain sensation in your jaw bone
- Redness and swelling around wisdom teeth
- It isn’t easy to chew and swallow food.
- The flu and cold are similar symptoms.
If you notice these signs and are experiencing these symptoms, booking an appointment with your dentist’s clinic is recommended. They will be able to determine if the issue is related to the wisdom teeth or something different.
Wisdom Teeth Problems
The extent to which wisdom teeth cause mouth injury is contingent on various aspects, such as how big your jaw is and the direction your wisdom teeth develop into. Sometimes, wisdom teeth that are not functioning properly can cause discomfort and swelling. You may not experience any symptoms, but the remaining teeth inside your mouth may be in danger of being damaged.
Gum Disease – If a wisdom tooth gets through the gum’s surface, bacteria could be able to penetrate the flap, which can cause an infection within the gum.
Crowding An erupting or impacted wisdom tooth could push against adjacent teeth, which causes them to be crooked or even damage their structure.
Decay: Wisdom teeth that are difficult to wash because of their position or the fact that it is partly completely covered with gum could accumulate bacteria that cause cavities. This can also cause decay in the tooth adjacent to it.
Poor Position: The wisdom tooth expands towards the cheek could irritate the tissue around it. If the tooth that has been erupted is not straight, it could be challenging to clean, making it difficult to bite.
Cysts: If the sac that houses the crown remains within the bone, it could become filled with fluid and form the form of a cyst, which can cause damage to the bone.
How should I prepare for wisdom tooth extraction?
Be sure to clean your teeth before the extraction to eliminate any bacteria present in your mouth. Smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, and caffeinated/carbonated drinks are not recommended at least a few hours before the extraction. Do not drink through straws for the next week after the surgery, and stick to soft food.
What instructions need to be followed after a wisdom tooth extraction?
These are some things to remember after wisdom tooth extraction.
- Take painkillers as prescribed by your surgeon immediately. It is possible to experience pain if you wait until the last minute.
- Should consume ice cream within one hour. It helps reduce blood vessel swelling and bleeding. It should be plain ice cream with no nuts, complex chocolate chips, or added ingredients.
- Do not spit in the aftermath of surgery. Instead, swallow the saliva. Spitting causes blood clots to dislodge. For the formation of new bone, blood clots are essential.
- Additionally, you should not use the straw to suck liquids. This can lead to clot dislodgement.
- Brush the area with care, and then use mouthwash immediately afterward.
- Avoid biting your tongue or cheeks while chewing. Better to wait until anesthetic effects wear off to minimize the chance of injury.
- Do not drink hot fluids immediately after surgery, as the anesthetic will continue to numb your body. You may not have the ability to measure the temperature of the liquids.
- The swelling at the site of surgery is joint. It can last for up to seven days. Be patient. Apply an ice pack to the operated side. This will help reduce swelling.
- If you notice a foul odor, severe pain, or fever, you should see your dentist. You might have an infection.
- Do not touch the surgical site with your tongue.
- For a few days after surgery, eat soft and warm foods.
These are the points you should keep in mind. Thank you for reading. Hopefully, this will clear up all your doubts.
How long should I wait to smoke after a wisdom tooth extraction?
Should avoid smoking until the socket heals completely. Smoking can increase the risk of a blood clot being dislodged. This can lead to dry sockets, which can be very painful and cause poor wound healing. A dry socket is more likely if someone smokes within 24 hours of the tooth’s extraction. It is best to avoid inhaling carcinogens as health is wealth. It is safer not to smoke until the extraction socket heals. Should do this for a week. Read more about how does smoking affect oral health and teeth
What is better, root canal or a tooth extraction?
The loss of a tooth can have a cascading effect on other problems such as bone loss, shifting of teeth, and feeling older. But, it can be expensive to keep a bad tooth. Here are some alternatives:
- Get the root canal. Usually, this is followed up by a “buildup” (replacing a damaged tooth part) and a Crown. The quote of $4000 you were given seems high. I’d guess you could get it done for about $3000 if there were other options. There is no guarantee that your root canal will work. If it fails, must redo the tooth.
- The tooth should be extracted. This is the cheapest option, as you may have noticed. However, adjacent and opposing teeth may shift. It can be costly to have an extraction performed. After an extraction, one will usually receive either an implant, an abutment, a crown, or a dental bridge. Or a partial denture. Implants are the best and most expensive option.
It is essential to think it through. The loss of teeth can make people look older, and it can also lead to more expensive problems later on.
