Is it Painful to Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Imagine this: you’re enjoying your favorite meal when suddenly, an excruciating, throbbing pain jolts through the back of your mouth. You realize it’s your wisdom teeth making their presence known, and you’ve been dreading the day you’ll need to have them removed. 

If you’ve ever experienced the discomfort of wisdom teeth or are simply curious about the process, you’re not alone. Wisdom teeth removal is quite a common procedure, but the fear of pain often looms large in the minds of many, making you wonder, "Is it painful to have your wisdom teeth removed?" 

Many people believe that wisdom teeth inevitably cause pain and that the removal process is even more agonizing. As a result, many patients feel nervous or even terrified at the prospect of having their wisdom teeth removed. But is this fear justified? 

Let’s find out. 

While exact statistics are difficult to pinpoint, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons estimates that between 60% and 85% of Americans have had at least one wisdom tooth extracted at some point in their lives. Additionally, it's believed that around 80% of individuals who initially keep their wisdom teeth will eventually need to have them removed. 

This necessity arises because, unlike our ancient ancestors who needed these extra molars to chew tough plant materials and meat, modern diets of softer foods no longer require them. Moreover, our jaws have evolved to be smaller and may not have enough space for all 32 teeth, including wisdom teeth. Consequently, when wisdom teeth do emerge, they often cause crowding and impactions, leading to their removal.

If impacted wisdom teeth aren’t causing any issues, removal is generally not necessary. This is because removing them doesn’t provide any proven benefit and carries potential risks of complications.

However, impacted wisdom teeth, or those that haven’t fully emerged, can sometimes lead to dental issues. Food and bacteria may become trapped around the wisdom teeth, leading to plaque buildup that can result in:

Tooth Decay (Dental Caries) 

Plaque can erode the tooth’s surface, creating cavities that can affect nearby teeth if untreated.

Gum Disease (Gingivitis or Periodontal Disease) 

Plaque can release toxins that irritate the gums, causing redness, swelling, and pain. This can also impact surrounding teeth and the bone around the wisdom teeth.

Pericoronitis 

This refers to an infection of the soft tissue surrounding the partially erupted wisdom tooth due to plaque buildup.

Cellulitis 

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection in the soft tissues of the mouth, such as the cheek, tongue, or throat, often resulting from impacted teeth. It can lead to swelling, pain, and difficulty swallowing.

Abscess 

An abscess caused by a wisdom tooth is a pus-filled infection that forms around the tooth or in the surrounding tissues, typically due to bacterial buildup. 

Cysts & Benign Growths 

Rarely, a wisdom tooth that hasn’t erupted may develop a fluid-filled cyst.

Wisdom tooth extraction performed by an experienced professional is usually a swift and painless procedure. 

Before starting, your dentist will make sure you receive ample anesthetic to ensure you feel no discomfort. Typically, you might only experience a slight pressure as the tooth is gently moved back and forth, but you shouldn’t feel any pain. 

Even in more complex cases, where the gum needs to be lifted, the tooth is sectioned for removal, and the gum is stitched back in place, discomfort is minimal. This is due to modern sedation techniques, gentle dental methods, and the dentist’s expertise.

Before the procedure begins, you’ll typically receive a local anesthetic injection, which will numb the area around the tooth. You might feel some pressure as the tooth is extracted, as the dentist or oral surgeon will need to widen your tooth socket by gently rocking the tooth back and forth.

In certain cases, an incision in the gum may be necessary, and the tooth might be divided into smaller pieces for easier removal.

The duration of the extraction can vary, with some procedures taking just a few minutes and others lasting 20 minutes or more.

Following the removal of your wisdom teeth, you might experience swelling and discomfort inside and outside your mouth. This is usually most severe during the first 3 days but can persist for up to 2 weeks.

After the extraction, you will be given a leaflet outlining the post-surgery care instructions. It’s common to experience some mild discomfort at the extraction site, so your dentist will provide guidance on managing pain and offer an emergency contact number if needed. 

You may also need to rest for one or two days to allow a blood clot to form and help prevent infection. Your dentist will go over these details in more depth during the extraction.

After the wisdom tooth extraction, patients will generally experience the most discomfort. Fortunately, dentists recommend several methods to alleviate and manage the pain:

• Refrain from touching the wound site, except when changing gauze.
• Apply ice packs or cold compresses to reduce inflammation.
• Take pain medication with food to minimize discomfort, but do so in moderation.
• Avoid eating tough or hard foods that could disrupt the healing wound.
• Gently rinse your mouth with salt water to prevent infection, which could exacerbate pain.
• Brush the adjacent teeth to maintain cleanliness and prevent infection.

Having your wisdom teeth removed is a procedure that should be approached with seriousness but doesn’t need to be feared. The recovery typically takes a few days, though some swelling and discomfort might persist for a week or longer. 

You can alleviate pain and reduce the risk of infection by applying ice packs, eating soft foods, and rinsing your mouth with salt water. If you experience any unusual symptoms after the surgery, don’t hesitate to contact your oral surgeon. They will assist you in your recovery and help you achieve a healthy and confident smile.

Ready to find relief from wisdom tooth pain? 

Schedule your consultation with Legacy Dental today and experience the joys of a pain-free smile!