You’ve seen the cheeky post-wisdom teeth removal pics your mates send you on Snapchat, often with #chipmunk or #chubbybunny in the caption. And while it might give you a giggle, deep down you may be worrying, “Is wisdom tooth removal painful?”. Now the day has come where your wisdom teeth are aching and the pain really starts to kick in. Well, you can rest easy because having your wisdom teeth removed does not need to be painful when you’re in experienced hands. So if you’re wanting to ease anxiety and find out how painful wisdom tooth removal actually is, keep on reading.
Is wisdom tooth extraction painful?
Good news! Your wisdom teeth removal does not need to be a painful experience. Skilled operators should be able to use anaesthetic agents in a calming environment to minimise any discomfort and anxiety through the procedure.
There are a few options for anesthesia so you don’t feel any pain during removal:
- Local anesthetic
Your dentist will inject anesthetic into your mouth to numb the local area. For those who feel a bit anxious about being awake during the extraction, you can use happy gas (aka nitrous oxide) to help relax or doze off. Local anesthetic is often most affordable and you won’t feel any pain during the extraction. However, you might feel slight sensations of touch.
You will receive local anesthetic in addition to an IV drip with the drugs going direct to your vein. Expect to feel drowsy the whole time, and even fall asleep!
- General anesthetic
If you prefer to be asleep for the whole thing, then this could be for you. Either be sedated with gas through a mask or medication through an IV drip. You won’t wake up until an hour or so after the procedure.
While most people don’t feel pain during the procedure, your experience will depend on individual circumstances. It’s always recommended to consult a dentist about any concerns.
Is there pain after wisdom tooth extraction?
Most people experience little to no pain when recovering. But this depends on:
- Your pain tolerance
- How many teeth were removed
- How simple the extraction was
- The skill and education of your dentist or maxillofacial surgeon.
So while your friend might’ve been sore and swollen, you could have hardly any pain post removal.
If you have any side effects during recovery, you might experience:
- Numbness of the mouth and lips for a few hours post procedure
- Internal and external tenderness and aching
- Swelling in your mouth, cheeks and face
- Mild bruising on your skin
- Bleeding in your mouth
- Sensitivity while eating.
You can expect for these side effects to relieve anywhere from two days to two weeks. But keep in mind, during this time you should eat soft or liquid foods as your mouth may be numb or sore (and expect a bit of rogue drool). Apply compression to help with pain and take care when brushing your teeth.
Before you head home, you will be clearly advised as to the appropriate pain relief instructions to follow when you return home, this will include any analgesics or antibiotics that may be required to ease any discomfort during the healing process. So whether you are having just one wisdom tooth removed, or all four, be assured that you’ll have the best solution that will work for you.
Now you know there is nothing (major) to worry about when it comes to wisdom teeth removal pain. So if it’s time for you to bite the bullet and get them removed, contact Claremont Dental today for a consultation with one of our friendly dentists.