When do wisdom teeth need to be removed and what is recovery like?
When do wisdom teeth need to be removed and what is recovery like?
Wisdom teeth need to be removed when they’re impacted, causing pain, damaging other teeth, or creating infection risk, which happens to most people. Recovery typically takes about three to seven days, with discomfort that’s manageable with prescribed pain medication and proper aftercare. I’m Dr. Emily, principal dentist at Picasso Dental Clinic, where I’ve been helping patients through wisdom tooth extractions for over 15 years. Having performed thousands of wisdom tooth removals for patients from around the world during my career treating more than 50,000 people, I understand your concerns about this common procedure. Let me explain when extraction is necessary and what you can expect during recovery.
Why Wisdom Teeth Cause Problems
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop, usually appearing between ages 17 and 25. Most people’s jaws simply aren’t large enough to accommodate these extra molars. When there’s not enough room, wisdom teeth become impacted, meaning they can’t fully emerge through the gum. Some impacted wisdom teeth grow at odd angles, pushing against your other teeth. This pressure can cause crowding and undo years of orthodontic work like braces. Partially erupted wisdom teeth create pockets where food and bacteria get trapped easily. These pockets are nearly impossible to clean properly, leading to frequent infections. The infection causes pain, swelling, bad breath, and difficulty opening your mouth. Sometimes wisdom teeth develop cysts or tumors around them that can damage your jawbone. Even if your wisdom teeth aren’t causing problems now, they might cause issues later as you age. Many dentists recommend removing problematic wisdom teeth in your late teens or early twenties when healing is fastest. Waiting until problems develop often means more complicated surgery and longer recovery.
Signs Your Wisdom Teeth Need Removal
Several symptoms indicate your wisdom teeth are causing problems and should be evaluated for extraction. Pain or tenderness in the back of your mouth, especially when chewing, is a common sign. Swelling and redness in the gum tissue around a partially erupted wisdom tooth needs attention. Recurring infections in the gum flap over a wisdom tooth happen when bacteria accumulate underneath. Jaw pain or stiffness, especially in the morning, might indicate your wisdom teeth are pushing against other teeth. Bad breath or an unpleasant taste that won’t go away despite good hygiene suggests infection. Some people notice their other teeth becoming crowded or shifting position. Cysts can form around impacted wisdom teeth, showing up as unusual lumps or on X-rays. Even without symptoms, X-rays might reveal impacted wisdom teeth positioned in ways that will eventually cause problems. During regular checkups, we monitor wisdom teeth development and recommend extraction before serious complications arise. Early removal is usually easier than waiting until you’re older.
What to Expect During Extraction
Wisdom tooth extraction is an outpatient procedure that we perform right in our clinic. We first numb the area around your wisdom tooth with local anesthetic so you won’t feel any pain. For anxious patients or complicated cases, we offer sedation options to help you relax or sleep through the procedure. Once you’re numb, we make an incision in your gum if the tooth is impacted beneath the tissue. Sometimes we need to remove a small amount of bone to access the tooth fully. We may divide the tooth into smaller pieces to remove it more easily, which is common with impacted teeth. You’ll feel pressure and hear sounds during the procedure, but you shouldn’t feel pain. The extraction usually takes 20 to 40 minutes per tooth, depending on position and complexity. After removing the tooth, we clean the socket and place stitches if needed to help healing. We pack the area with gauze and give you detailed instructions for aftercare. Most patients are surprised that the procedure itself is much easier than they expected.
Recovery and Healing Process
The first 24 hours after wisdom tooth extraction are the most important for proper healing. Keep biting on gauze pads for the first hour to control bleeding and help a blood clot form. Don’t rinse, spit, or drink through a straw for the first day because this can dislodge the blood clot. Swelling is normal and usually peaks on the second or third day after surgery. Apply ice packs to your face for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off during the first 24 hours. After the first day, switch to warm compresses to help reduce swelling. Stick to soft foods like smoothies, yogurt, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs for the first few days. Gradually add more solid foods as your comfort allows, usually after three or four days. Take prescribed pain medication and antibiotics exactly as directed. Most people need pain medication for two to four days, then can switch to over the counter options. Keep the extraction site clean by gently rinsing with warm salt water starting the second day. Most patients feel significantly better after three days and are back to normal activities within a week.
Complications to Watch For and Prevent
While wisdom tooth extraction is very safe, knowing about potential complications helps you seek help if needed. Dry socket is the most common complication, happening when the blood clot dislodges from the socket. This causes severe pain starting two to four days after extraction and requires treatment. Prevent dry socket by avoiding straws, smoking, and vigorous rinsing for the first week. Infection can occur if bacteria enter the extraction site, causing increased pain, swelling, fever, or bad taste. Taking prescribed antibiotics and keeping your mouth clean prevents most infections. Nerve damage is rare but can cause temporary or permanent numbness in your tongue, lip, or chin. We evaluate your X-rays carefully before surgery to minimize this risk. Some swelling and bruising are normal, but excessive swelling that gets worse after three days should be reported. Difficulty opening your mouth might last a few days but should gradually improve. If you develop a fever over 100 degrees, excessive bleeding, or severe pain that medication doesn’t help, contact us immediately. Following aftercare instructions carefully prevents most complications and ensures smooth healing.
Expert Wisdom Tooth Care When You Need It
If your wisdom teeth are causing problems or you’ve been told they need removal, trust the experienced team at Picasso Dental Clinic. We perform comfortable extractions with careful attention to your comfort and recovery. Our clinics in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City are equipped with modern technology to make your experience as smooth as possible. Schedule your consultation today and let us help you avoid future complications.
