Frequently asked questions about Wisdom Teeth in Toronto
Updated: Nov 26, 2022
Is it good to have wisdom teeth?
We cannot necessarily say that it is good or bad to have wisdom teeth, and there are no scientifically confirmed health benefits of removing any wisdom tooth that doesn't cause any issues. Furthermore, extracting wisdom teeth is usually undesirable and may cause unpleasant consequences. In most patients, wisdom teeth don't come from the soft tissues – or only partially.
Do wisdom teeth hurt?
Not every wisdom teeth cause pain. If the eruption of the wisdom teeth is normal and if the jaw of the patient has sufficient space, they rarely hurt.
However, wisdom teeth can cause some patients mild to moderate and even unbearable pain. If it causes pain, the ultimate solution is, most of the time, extracting the wisdom tooth.
What age do wisdom teeth come in?
Wisdom teeth usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. While some patients have enough space for them, others don't have sufficient space, and their wisdom teeth become impacted.
What are some signs that your wisdom teeth are coming in?
Swelling on the soft tissues behind the second molars,
Pain on the eruption side and around the ears,
bad breath,
Tenderness in the gum tissue,
Limited mouth opening,
Bad taste in the mouth.
How can I stop wisdom tooth pain at night?
If the pain comes from a partially or fully impacted wisdom tooth, it is not considered chronic tooth pain. Instead, we should consider it as an infection. That's why you should visit your dentist as soon as possible.
However, while you are waiting for your appointment, you can
Take Pain Reliever Medication,
Apply cold in the area.
How do you know if your wisdom teeth need to be pulled?
There are multiple reasons for the removal of wisdom teeth:
1- Pain coming from wisdom teeth area
2- Inflammation of the soft tissues around the wisdom teeth
3- Cysts around wisdom teeth
4- Pain radiating to the ears and the same side of the head
5- Limited mouth opening caused by wisdom teeth infection
6- Sinus infection
7- Food Impaction
8- Cavities on the wisdom teeth
9- Cavities on the adjacent teeth
Sometimes patients don't feel any symptoms, but wisdom teeth extraction can still be needed. That's why you should visit your dentist for your regular checkups.
Is wisdom tooth removal very painful?
No. Tooth removal is a painless dental procedure with the proper local anesthetic technique.
The extraction area will be numb, and you shouldn't feel any pain. However, you can tell your dentist to give you more local anesthetics if you do.
The idea of a wisdom tooth extraction may be too scary for the patients. In these cases, we also recommend Sedation for the patients. This way, patients feel more comfortable and relaxed while performing the extraction.
What are the side effects of wisdom teeth removal?
The majority of wisdom teeth extractions don't end up with prolonged complications. However, some of the extractions may require a surgical approach, including a flap and bone removal. It is rare, but there are risks associated with wisdom teeth extraction:
Dry Socket: It is a painful situation for the patient. If the patient doesn't follow the post-op instructions or the blood clot is lost, they can feel a bad taste, smell and pain coming from their extraction sites. To prevent that, patients must follow the postoperative instructions.
Infection of the extraction socket. If your dentist thinks there is a high probability of infection, they will prescribe antibiotics to prevent it. But you still need to follow the postoperative instructions.
Damage to nearby teeth, nerves, and jawbone or sinuses: To prevent that, your dentist should use high magnification dental loupes or microscopes. Also, dental imaging tools such as CBCT are crucially important. This way, we can detect the possible complications in the mouth and in the x-rays before and during the procedure.
Is removing wisdom teeth major surgery?
Although it is a regular procedure in Oral Surgery, it should be considered a Major Surgery. However, your dentist will use local anesthetics to numb your tissues during the procedure. Also, if you don't feel comfortable with the idea of surgery, your Toronto Dentist can use sedation to calm you down.
How long does it take to recover from removing wisdom teeth?
Usually, most of the post-op discomfort starts to fade away on the fourth day of the extraction. However, full recovery from the extraction may take up to two weeks. To reduce the swelling and limited mouth opening, patients should use a cold compress following the extraction for 48 hours. In addition, anti-inflammatory drugs help ease the discomfort of the patient.
Do and don'ts after wisdom teeth removal surgery?
Continue biting the cotton gauze for half an hour and throw it away after.
You should rest for a couple of days. This doesn't mean you need to be on bedrest.
Use a cold compress for 24 hours.
Elevate your head while you are in bed.
Keep the extraction socket clean.
Stick to a soft diet for a few days.
Do not eat on the extraction site.
Open and close your mouth for exercise.
Take your medication as described and on time.
When you start brushing after the first 24 hours, brush gently.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Do not consume hard, spicy foods. They can get stuck in the extraction socket, and the healing goes the wound can be jeopardized.
Do not consume anything hot. This will exaggerate the swelling and bleeding.
Do not brush your teeth, and do not rinse your mouth for 24 Hours.
Do not eat right after the surgery. You are numb, and you can hurt yourself when you are eating.
Do not poke the extraction site.
Do not use straws, or do not suck. It can cause more bleeding.
Do not smoke. It will cause a dry socket.
If you experience fever and ongoing severe discomfort, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible.
