Wisdom tooth extractions are performed every day in dental practices around the world, and in reality, they are no more painful than having any other tooth extracted, but so many patients are concerned about feeling pain afterwards. In this blog post, we are going to answer the question ‘is wisdom tooth removal painful’ to help you prepare for your procedure.
Wisdom Tooth Removal: Why It’s Important?
The wisdom teeth are the last teeth in the mouth to emerge and for many people, they can cause dental problems. The most common reasons that patients need wisdom teeth removal include
- Impacted wisdom teeth that cannot erupt fully from your gums
- Your jaw is too small to accommodate another set of molars
- Your wisdom teeth are erupting at an angle
- You have dental decay or gum disease because of the small spaces created by impacted wisdom teeth.
Wisdom Teeth Removal: Why Early Intervention Is Best?
When the wisdom teeth present problems, they need to be removed as soon as possible. Having wisdom tooth removal at the first sign of problems can save you from complex and costly procedures later on. Conversely, if your wisdom teeth do not present with any issues, they do not need to be removed.
So, Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Painful?
Wisdom tooth removal is done under an anaesthetic so you should not feel any pain during the procedure. At most, you will feel the pressure of the tooth leaving the socket but the use of anaesthesia makes the procedure painless.
Once the anaesthesia has worn off, you can expect to feel some pain and discomfort, but nothing that a cold compress and some over-the-counter pain medication can’t address. Any discomfort after your wisdom tooth removal should improve in the days after the extraction.
In order to make your wisdom tooth removal procedure more comfortable, you may be given
- Nitrous oxide or laughing gas if you are feeling anxious and stressed about the procedure being painful
- Local anaesthetic to numb the extraction area
- General anaesthetic if your wisdom teeth removal is a complex procedure
How Long Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Painful For?
After your procedure, you can expect some swelling and tenderness at the site for the first five to seven days, after which time the wound should have healed.
Wisdom Tooth Removal Complications
If you do not follow your dentist’s post-operative care instructions, you could develop a condition known as dry socket. This occurs when the blood clot is dislodged after wisdom teeth removal, exposing the tooth nerves. It can be very painful and it has to heal on its own.
You can manage pain, swelling and discomfort after wisdom tooth removal by using cold compresses, keeping your head elevated and chewing on the opposite side of your mouth while you heal.
The sooner you book your wisdom teeth removal the smaller your chances of developing painful complications during and after surgery.
For more insight into the question of is wisdom teeth removal painful, it’s best to speak to a professional. Please call us: (02) 4210 9078.
References
Wisdom teeth Removal: What Adults Should Expect
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/wisdom-teeth-adult
Is Wisdom tooth Removal Painful?
https://www.medicinenet.com/is_wisdom_tooth_removal_painful/article.htm
