Do You Need Wisdom Tooth Extraction? Signs To Watch For [Video Inside]

Why is wisdom tooth extraction such a common procedure? Many scientists consider wisdom teeth to be “vestigial,” remnants from a time when our ancestors needed extra molars to chew tough food. But once we started cooking and using utensils to cut up our dinner into smaller pieces, those teeth stopped serving a necessary function.

Whether or not wisdom teeth are truly evolutionary leftovers, they’re prone to causing problems that can affect our overall oral health. Understanding the signs that you need a wisdom tooth extraction can help you avoid more serious issues down the line.

Signs You Need a Wisdom Tooth Extraction

How do you know it’s time for a wisdom tooth extraction? When you have discomfort or pain from wisdom teeth coming in improperly, it’s usually time to address the problem at its source.

Sometimes, wisdom teeth become impacted and cannot emerge from the gums. Instead, they might damage the roots of neighboring healthy teeth, causing pain and pressure.

Other times, they might only partly emerge, creating pockets in the gums where bacteria could get trapped. They can also crowd nearby teeth, leading to shifting and alignment issues.

Certain changes in the mouth turn concerns into something more pressing. You should see Dr. Magno urgently for a wisdom tooth extraction if you experience any of the following:

• Severe, throbbing pain at the back of your mouth near a wisdom tooth
• Swollen, red, or bleeding gums around a wisdom tooth, especially with bad taste or bad breath
• Trouble opening your mouth or chewing because of pain or swelling near a wisdom tooth
• Visible swelling in the jaw or face in the area of a wisdom tooth
• A known cyst, growth, or other lesion around a wisdom tooth that has become painful or is enlarging

These issues are more than just uncomfortable. When left unaddressed, they can worsen and affect your oral health and overall well-being. Fortunately, wisdom tooth extraction can provide relief and help maintain your oral health.

What To Expect From the Extraction Process

For Dr. Magno, removing wisdom teeth is very common. While everyone’s case is a little bit different, in general, this basic oral surgery takes less than a few hours and involves a straightforward healing process.

First, she takes X-rays and performs an exam to determine if removing your wisdom teeth is beneficial.

To perform the extraction, she numbs the area with a local anesthetic. Then, she removes the tooth. For a wisdom tooth that has erupted, she simply loosens the tooth and removes it from its socket.

For impacted teeth, Dr. Magno might make a small incision in the gums and remove the tooth in multiple pieces.

After removing the tooth, she places gauze over the area to help slow the bleeding. You’ll leave it in place for about 30 minutes after your surgery. When she finishes her work, she gives you clear instructions for maintaining the area to ensure everything heals correctly.

After your extraction, take it easy for at least a few days and consider taking some time off from school or work to allow yourself to heal.

Healing and Aftercare Following Wisdom Tooth Extraction

The recovery process after an extraction is usually straightforward, but proper aftercare is critical to prevent infection and support healing.

After the first 24 hours, you can resume brushing and flossing your remaining teeth like normal, but be gentle and avoid brushing over the extraction site.

At this point, you should also keep the extraction area clean by gently rinsing with saltwater regularly.

You don’t want to dislodge the blood clot that forms during healing, as this can lead to a condition called dry socket, which slows healing and causes irritation. That’s why it’s so important to be gentle around the area.

To further reduce the risk of dry socket, avoid smoking, spitting, and sucking through straws.

At meal times, stick to soft foods to avoid irritating the surgical site. Options that work well after an extraction include yogurt, soups, mashed potatoes, and cooked vegetables.

Swelling is common, especially in the first few days after the procedure. Use a cold compress for the first 24 to 48 hours, then switch to a warm compress if needed.

After a week or two, the most intense healing has resolved, and you should start to feel like yourself again!

Wisdom Teeth Causing Discomfort? Text or Call Dr. Magno for Relief!

From an evolutionary standpoint, your wisdom teeth aren’t entirely necessary. And if they’re impacted, partially erupted, or crowded, they’re probably doing more harm than good.

For many people, wisdom teeth cause pain, swelling, and difficulty chewing—problems that don’t go away on their own. Wisdom tooth extraction is often the best way to relieve this kind of discomfort. While it may sound intimidating, it’s actually one of the most common procedures Dr. Magno performs. She’s very experienced in removing painful, problematic wisdom teeth to help you feel comfortable again.

Take the next step to have your wisdom teeth removed. Text or call 510-591-0091 to schedule an appointment today.