Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to emerge in the mouth. They usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25, and can cause a variety of problems if they don't erupt properly. Many people wonder if removing wisdom teeth is painful. The good news is that you shouldn't feel any pain when your wisdom teeth are removed because the area will become numb.
However, if you feel pain during the procedure, tell your dentist or oral surgeon so that they can give you more anesthesia. At most, you'll feel pressure from the tooth as it leaves the socket, but the use of anesthesia makes the procedure painless. After the extraction of the wisdom tooth, the entire oral cavity will be sore and very uncomfortable. Many people experience a dull ache for a couple of days, as the nerves in the wisdom teeth are exposed and ultimately die. In addition, the gums often hurt as a result because they must be opened to access the teeth. You can control pain, swelling, and discomfort after wisdom tooth extraction by using cold compresses, keeping your head elevated, and chewing on the opposite side of your mouth while it heals.
Because of the nature of wisdom teeth and the way they tend to grow at an angle, it may be necessary to segment the tooth and extract it in portions instead of extracting it as a complete unit. Avoid hard, crunchy, or irritating food textures for at least ten days after wisdom tooth extraction. Removing wisdom teeth at the first sign of problems can save you from complex and expensive procedures later on. That said, it's not uncommon to see the upper parts of your wisdom teeth start to protrude through your gums in late adolescence. The sooner you book wisdom tooth extraction, the lower your chances of developing painful complications during and after surgery. After having hundreds of teeth extracted, tooth extractions, including wisdom tooth extraction, are quick and comfortable when you visit a professional.
The wisdom teeth form behind the back molar in each quadrant of the mouth; that is, one in the upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left. Although exact numbers are difficult to obtain, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons estimates that between 60 and 85% of Americans have had at least one of their wisdom teeth (third molars) removed at some point in their lives. All that said, planning for oral surgery, such as the removal of wisdom teeth, is different from placing a filling or even an implant. As an expert in oral surgery and dental care, I can confidently say that wisdom tooth extraction is not painful when done correctly. With proper anesthesia and care from a professional dentist or oral surgeon, you should not feel any pain during or after your procedure. However, there may be some discomfort due to swelling or soreness in your mouth after surgery.
To minimize this discomfort, I recommend using cold compresses and avoiding hard or crunchy foods for at least ten days after your procedure.
