Wisdom Tooth Extraction, Professional Advice!

Wisdom Tooth Extraction, Each year, it’s estimated that 10 million wisdom tooth extracted from 5 million people in the United States of America. More sources here.  According to the American Public Health Association, Americans spend an estimated $3 billion a year having 10 million wisdom teeth removed.

Wisdom teeth, also called the third molars, are four teeth that grow at the very back of each corner of the mouth. Most people start to grow wisdom teeth between 18 and 25. 

They’re thought to impact other teeth or cause tooth decay, which is why many dentists and oral surgeons think it’s better to nip those problems in the bud and take them out as a preventative measure.

Wisdom teeth removal

Removing a wisdom tooth that’s infected or impacted is necessary. Although, dentists and oral surgeons agree across the board that there’s cause to remove wisdom teeth if a patient is in pain or if signs of disease popping up, like tooth decay or infection.

That’s an obvious choice. But taking out wisdom teeth when there aren’t any symptoms is where the professionals get into it. So, is it necessary to remove a wisdom tooth? Well, it is not necessary to remove a wisdom tooth unless, of course, yours is impacted. Not all wisdom teeth develop to be impacted in the future.

So you should not be in a hurry to extract your wisdom tooth when it’s not giving you any problem. There is no health benefit in removing wisdom teeth other than avoiding the future pain of impacted teeth, which may not happen

My professional advice is to remove your wisdom tooth only if it’s impacted and causing you pain.

What to expect after wisdom tooth extraction

Swollen mouth and cheeks: You are likely to have a swollen mouth and cheeks; it can or will be severe for the first few days but will gradually improve. It is necessary to get a cold cloth and gently press it to your face to help reduce the swelling.

Stiff, sore jaw – this should wear off within 7 to 10 days

Mild Bruising on Cheek: The skin may be bruised for up to 2 weeks a 

Unpleasant taste And Pain: This is worse if the extraction is complicated. And Tingling, Numbness faces, lips, or tongue (although this is uncommon)

Sore Throat: You may experience minor sore throat within the first two days post-surgery

Bleeding: May occur from your surgical site; make sure to bite down on your Gauze when you notice bleeding from the surgical site.

What to do after wisdom teeth removal

After wisdom tooth extraction, you should rest and have an off work day. Due to the pains of the surgery, you should use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (always read and follows the manufacturer’s dosage instructions) – there’s some evidence to suggest that ibuprofen is the best painkiller to take after having wisdom teeth removed

• 1. Place a cold compress or ice pack on your face to help reduce swelling.
• 2. Avoid strenuous activity and exercise for a few days
• 3. Use an extra pillow to support your head at night
• 4. Avoid rinsing, spitting, hot or cold drinks, or anything else that may dislodge the blood clots in the empty tooth socket. (first 48 hours are critical)
• 5.    Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol for 48 hours
• 6. Eat soft or liquid food for a few days and chew with your other teeth
• 7. Gently rinse the extraction site with an antiseptic mouthwash after 24 hours, and repeat this regularly over the next few days, particularly after eating. 
• 8. Avoid the use of straw; use warm water with a teaspoon of salt as a mouthwash to reduce gum soreness and inflammation
• 9. Don’t swish vigorously, as this can dislodge blood clots and cause dry sockets

Wisdom tooth extraction infection

The worse that can happen is getting an infection after wisdom tooth extraction; although it’s not common, it can happen when you do not follow your dentist’s instructions properly.

The infection that likely occurs after wisdom teeth removal is:

• 1. Difficulty breathing or swallowing food.
• 2. Surgical site bleeding excessively. 
• 3. Swelling gums surrounding the extraction site 
• 4. Numbness and Sore throat after 72 hours of wisdom tooth removal. 
• 5. Socket developing pus or blood clot falling out (could cause dry socket). 
• 6. It’s painful when you open and close your mouth. 
• 7. You still feel dental pain even after taking prescribed medications. 
• 8. There is blood or pus discharge from your nose. 
• 9. Bad breath and bad taste in your mouth.

If you experience the symptoms mentioned above, please see your dentist immediately, don’t try to use any home remedy or over-the-counter prescription as they may not help solve the problem.

How long does pain after wisdom tooth extraction last

During the first 24 hours after wisdom teeth removal, you will feel something called nociceptive pain. Which may be severe or mild discomfort caused by tissue or bone damage during surgery.

Wisdom tooth extraction pain usually lasts from 3 days to one week unless you experience an infection or dry socket, which happens when the blood clot gets dislodged from the extraction site.

Most patients recover from wisdom tooth extraction within 3-5 days post-extraction and can do their everyday business. But more complex wisdom teeth removal can take a recovery period of 1 to 2 weeks recovery depending on the complications.

 Wisdom tooth extraction recovery

Depending on individual body healing ability, most people feel relieved within three to four days after wisdom teeth removal; It is estimated to take up to 2 weeks to fully recover from the surgery of wisdom tooth extraction or teeth removed. Your oral surgeon will provide detailed post-surgical instructions to keep you comfortable.

During this time, you may have: a swollen mouth and cheeks – this will be worse for the first few days but will gradually improve; gently press a cold cloth to your face to help reduce the swelling.

Things to eat after wisdom teeth removal

After wisdom tooth extraction, you will likely be instructed to drink lots of water and eat soft foods you can easily tolerate. Ensure that you get enough protein, vitamins, and minerals because these nutrients are helpful in healing wounds.

You won’t get the necessary nutrients for healing without eating enough or drinking broth and juice. Malnutrition is a problem in wound healing; falling short on protein and vitamins slows the healing process.

The things to eat after wisdom teeth removal are:

Blended soups, broths, Greek yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, mashed bananas, banana ice cream, avocado, smoothies, hummus, instant oatmeal, and mashed pumpkin. For more detailed food

How long to keep Gauze in after wisdom tooth extraction

Gauze pads are often placed on the teeth after wisdom tooth removal to help control bleeding and absorb any blood that might be secreted from the extraction site. Many dentists recommend wearing soft cotton gauze on your teeth for a few hours or overnight, but it is best not to wear it for longer than 24 hours. 

Keeping Gauze on your teeth for extended periods can cause irritation and discomfort. It may also be hard to eat with Gauze in place. When to stop using Gauze after wisdom tooth extraction can be hard to determine, though. 

While it’s not always clear how long you should continue to use Gauze, it’s essential to follow the instructions given by your dentist or oral surgeon, as these instructions are geared toward your unique situation and may be different from someone else’s. More resources on Gauze here

Can I use mouthwash after wisdom tooth extraction?

No, it is unsafe to use mouthwash after tooth extraction because it can cause the blood clot to dislodge. The golden rule is to avoid all mouthwash for at least 24 hours after the extraction. Instead, you can swish warm salt water in your mouth to keep things clean. This can be done four times a day.

Wisdom tooth extraction cost

According to CostHelper, their readers report typical wisdom tooth extraction costs to be:

• $75–$200 per tooth for simple wisdom tooth extractions where the tooth has fully erupted with simple roots using only local anesthesia.
• $225–$600 per tooth for impacted wisdom tooth extractions using only local anesthesia. The type of impaction can affect the price, so removing a partially erupted tooth is less expensive than a fully bony impaction where the tooth is completely encased in the jawbone
• $40–$90 for nitrous oxide to relax the patient.
• $250–$800 for a general anesthetic to put the patient to sleep.

Other costs include dental x-rays, also known as radiographs, which cost around $150. According to Authority Dental, your initial and follow-up exams may also come with a price tag, which is, on average, about $100 per appointment. Detailed cost here

MOST FAQs

How to stop bleeding after wisdom tooth extraction

To stop wisdom tooth extraction bleeding, you will apply pressure to the extraction site with a wet rolled gauze pad, stopping the bleeding after 30 minutes to one hour of application. You can remove the Gauze after about 1 hour and replace it if the bleeding persists. A tea bag is often more effective in stopping the bleeding.

When can I use Listerine after tooth extraction?

Non-alcoholic Listerine is okay, but we recommend that patients rinse with warm salt water beginning 24-48 hours after the extraction, provided there is hemostasis. We do not recommend using alcoholic Listerine following 24 hours wisdom tooth extraction.

Brush your teeth and gentle mouthwash, but do not irritate the area for at least three days to avoid dislodging the blood clot. Alcoholic mouthwash should be avoided at least 48 hours after wisdom tooth extraction.

Can I use mouthwash four days after tooth extraction?

Yes, you can use mouthwash four days after wisdom tooth extraction because by now, the blood clot has formed in the extraction site and is strong enough to resist the force of the solution used.

Can I use mouthwash five days after tooth extraction?

Yes, by now, you should be comfortable enough to use any mouthwash, including the alcoholic types­­ ─unless you are having complications with your wisdom teeth removal site, it is safe to mouthwash five days after wisdom tooth extraction.

What is the best mouthwash to use after a tooth extraction?

Warm salt water is the best mouthwash and the only natural soluble to use. You can use other non-alcoholic mouthwash after 24-48 hours of wisdom tooth extraction.

Conclusion

This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.