When wisdom teeth get stuck, or a tooth has broken at the gum line through decay or damage, a surgical extraction is likely to be the recommended course of action. Don’t panic!
Wisdom teeth removal is a very common and routine treatment. The experts at Pro Dental Clinic practice a caring and gently approach to tooth extraction so you will feel no pain throughout the procedure.
Extraction as a last resort
Your wisdom teeth will not need to be removed unless they are causing problems that leave you vulnerable to tooth decay. But because wisdom teeth come through at such a late stage in life, when all other adult teeth have long since formed, impaction is a common problem. This is when the wisdom teeth press against existing teeth, grow in at an angle and get stuck. In cases where this causes pain, swelling and infection, it is likely you’ll need to have your wisdom teeth removed.
What to expect after your tooth extraction?
After your tooth extraction, and once the numbing has worn off, you may experience slight discomfort or swelling. This is completely normal and will be quick to remedy itself. Looking after your gum after an extraction is easy to do but is necessary in order to speed up the healing process and reduce the risk of infection. Below are some pointers.
For the first 24 hours, try to avoid eating hot food, don’t smoke, don’t drink any alcohol and try not to disturb any blood clot which might have formed
Don’t rinse your mouth for 24 hours after extraction. After that, rinse gently with warm salty water – half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water is enough
Brush your teeth as normal to keep your mouth as clean as possible
You may feel some small pieces of bone work their way out of the socket – don’t worry, this is perfectly normal
There may be some swelling and a bit of discomfort in the first two to three days. If you need to, take some ordinary painkillers – aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol will be fine
If you feel pain a few days after the tooth has been removed, it might be where the blood clot has broken down leaving an empty hole in the gum. This is called a ‘dry socket’ and will need to be looked at by your dentist
Ready to take the next step?
Book a consultation or get in touch with our friendly team today. We take a £50 deposit payment to secure all consultations which is redeemable against treatment. Deposit is not refundable.
What’s the difference between simple and complex extractions?
If a wisdom tooth has erupted above the gum line, you’ll require a simple extraction – a straightforward procedure carried out under local anaesthetic, which usually takes a few minutes to complete. Wisdom teeth that are stuck, broken, or which haven’t emerged above the gum line will require a complex extraction by an oral surgeon. This procedure involves cutting into the gum to access the tooth.
What can I expect post-extraction?
You’ll need to take a day or two off work to get used to managing the inevitable swelling and low-level pain that occurs after surgery, as well as cleaning the tooth socket. We will provide you with a comprehensive after-care plan, and you can expect a full recovery within two weeks of surgery.