Wisdom tooth pain is often the result of newly emerging wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth that have become semi-impacted or fully impacted. All scenarios may cause wisdom tooth pain, tenderness, and headaches. Removal of wisdom teeth provides the best solution for most people.
Signs of Wisdom Tooth Pain
Impacted or infected wisdom teeth may cause serious complications for your dental health. Signs of an infected wisdom tooth include severe discomfort, tenderness, swelling, and an unpleasant odour near the infection site.
Partially impacted wisdom teeth create areas to trap food particles in the gums and cause infections or accelerate tooth decay of nearby teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause shifting of adjacent teeth.
If you are experiencing wisdom tooth pain or symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth, it is important to see your dentist for evaluation as soon as possible.
What to Expect
When you visit Dapto Dentists, we examine your teeth and gums and perform X-rays to determine whether you are a candidate for wisdom tooth extraction. At that time, you may ask questions about the best options for wisdom tooth pain relief and how to get rid of wisdom tooth pain in the days leading up to your procedure.
Your dentist may recommend you take an over-the-counter pain reliever, apply ice chips to the area to reduce swelling and rinse with a salt water solution to help alleviate your discomfort.
Simple Extractions
A wisdom tooth that is fully erupted is typically removed like any other tooth. During a simple extraction, a local anaesthetic is applied to the area around the wisdom teeth that are being extracted.
While the tooth is being removed, you should only feel slight pressure. Your dentist will place some gauze at the site to speed healing.
Complex Extractions
Occasionally, a complex extraction will be required. When a wisdom tooth is impacted, this means that the tooth hasn’t broken through the gum.
Your dentist will make an incision in the gum line to expose the tooth and the underlying bone area. Sometimes, it is necessary for the tooth to be broken into smaller pieces, which makes it easier to remove. Your dentist removes the tooth and clears away any debris before stitching the wound closed and applying gauze to the site to control bleeding and aid clotting.
After the Procedure
It may take a while for you to recover feeling in your mouth after the procedure. Once this happens, you may experience some swelling, which is normal for the first day after the procedure.
Use an ice pack to reduce the swelling. You may need prescription medication for the first two days, and then you can manage any discomfort with over-the-counter medications. It is important to follow the guidelines provided to you for aftercare to help your mouth recover faster.
Limit strenuous activity for a few days following the extraction so your surgical wounds can heal faster. Avoid spitting, drinking from a straw and smoking for about 48 hours following surgery so you don’t dislodge the blood clot. This can lead to a condition called dry socket.
Eat soft foods like yoghurt, applesauce, and smoothies for a day or two following surgery. Not only are they nutritious, but they are also easy to flush from your mouth and less likely to cause an infection at the extraction site.
Final Thoughts
While wisdom tooth pain can be burdensome, wisdom tooth extraction is a standard and safe procedure. At Dapto Dentists, we are highly trained and equipped to perform your wisdom tooth extraction as gently as possible. We offer IV sedation for nervous patients to help alleviate dental anxiety.
Contact Us
If you are experiencing any signs of an impacted wisdom tooth, please contact us at (02) 4210 9058 for an evaluation.
