Your Wisdom Tooth Extraction, Start to Finish

Most people who are booked for a wisdom tooth extraction aren’t worried about the reasons for it. They already know the tooth has to go. What they want to know is what the day will actually be like. How long does it take? Will I feel it? What should I eat beforehand? At Sherwood Dental in Kitchener, we’d rather you walk in knowing what’s coming, so this post follows the process in order, from the consultation to the first evening at home.

Before the day: the consultation

Every extraction starts with a look at the tooth and an X ray, usually a panoramic image that shows the whole jaw. It tells us the position of the tooth, the shape of the roots, how much bone covers it and how close it sits to nearby nerves and, for upper teeth, the sinus.

From that we can tell you whether the removal should be simple or more involved, roughly how long it will take and what recovery will probably look like. If a tooth is very deep or sits right against the nerve, we may recommend that an oral surgeon handle it, and we’ll arrange the referral if so.

Things to tell us at the consultation

• Any medications you take, especially blood thinners
• Medical conditions such as diabetes, heart problems or a bleeding disorder
• Allergies, including to any medications
• Pregnancy, or a chance you might be pregnant
• If you’ve had a bad experience with dental numbing before

None of these usually stops an extraction. They just help us plan it safely.

Getting ready at home

A little preparation makes the first couple of days much easier. In the days before your appointment:

• Stock the fridge with soft foods: yogurt, applesauce, smoothies you’ll eat with a spoon, soups that can cool down, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs
• Make sure you have the pain relievers we’ve suggested, and check the labels against anything else you take
• Find an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas
• Plan a quiet day or two afterward and arrange time off work or school if you need it
• If you smoke or vape, now is a good time to stop, at least until you’ve healed

Eat a normal meal before your appointment unless we’ve told you otherwise. You’ll be numb for a few hours afterward, so it’s nice to start on a full stomach.

On the day of your wisdom tooth extraction

Numbing

We start with a topical gel to take the edge off, then local anaesthetic around the tooth. Lower wisdom teeth need a little more time to go fully numb, and we check before going ahead. Your lip, part of your tongue and the side of your face may feel thick and heavy. That’s normal and it means the anaesthetic is working.

If you’re anxious, tell us. We can walk you through each step as we go, take breaks, and agree on a hand signal so you can stop us at any point.

Removing the tooth

For a tooth that has fully come in, removal is a lot like a regular extraction. The tooth is gently loosened in its socket and lifted out. You’ll feel firm pushing and some pressure, but not sharp pain.

An impacted tooth takes a few more steps. A small opening is made in the gum, and if bone covers part of the tooth, a little of it is removed. Often the tooth is divided into pieces so it can come out through a smaller space. It sounds dramatic, but it’s actually gentler on the jaw than trying to remove the whole tooth at once.

Finishing up

Once the tooth is out, the socket is cleaned and, when needed, the gum is closed with a few stitches. Many are the dissolving kind. Then you’ll bite on gauze to control bleeding while we go over your aftercare instructions.

How long it all takes depends on the tooth. A simple upper wisdom tooth can be out in minutes. A deeply impacted lower one takes longer. We’ll give you an estimate beforehand.

The first evening

The numbness wears off over a few hours. Take your first dose of pain medication before it fully fades so you stay ahead of the discomfort. For the rest of the day:

1. Keep gentle pressure on the gauze, changing it if it gets soaked, until the bleeding slows to a light ooze.
2. Rest with your head raised on a couple of pillows.
3. Hold ice to your cheek for about 15 minutes at a time, then take a break.
4. Eat soft, cool or lukewarm food. Chew on the other side.
5. Don’t rinse, spit forcefully or use a straw. The blood clot in the socket needs to stay put.

A bit of pink in your saliva for the first day is expected. Steady bright red bleeding that won’t slow down with firm pressure on fresh gauze is not, and you should call us.

The days that follow

Swelling usually peaks around the second or third day, then starts to go down. Your jaw may feel stiff, and some people notice light bruising on the cheek. From the day after the extraction, rinse gently with warm salt water after meals and before bed. Brush the rest of your teeth as usual, just carefully near the socket.

Ease back into normal food as you feel ready. Most people are eating close to normally within a week. Hard, crunchy or very spicy food can wait a little longer.

When to call Sherwood Dental

• Pain that gets worse instead of better after the third day
• A bad taste or smell with throbbing pain from the socket
• Fever, or swelling that keeps growing after day three
• Numbness in the lip or chin that hasn’t worn off by the next day

Worsening pain a few days in can be a sign of dry socket, where the clot is lost too early. It’s uncomfortable but treatable, and a quick visit usually brings relief.

Common questions

Will I be awake?

With local anaesthetic, yes. You’ll be aware of what’s happening but the area will be numb. If you’re very nervous, let us know at the consultation so we can talk about what options make sense for you.

Can I drive myself home?

After local anaesthetic alone, most people can. If you’re given anything to help you relax, you’ll need someone to drive you. We’ll tell you ahead of time.

How much will it hurt afterward?

It varies a lot from person to person and tooth to tooth. A simple upper tooth often feels like a mild ache for a day or two. A lower impacted tooth usually means more soreness and swelling for the first few days. Most people manage well with the pain relievers we recommend, taken on a regular schedule rather than waiting until it hurts. If what you’re feeling seems out of proportion, call us rather than toughing it out.

Can I go to the gym?

Give it a few days. Hard exercise raises your blood pressure and can restart bleeding from the socket.

Book your wisdom tooth visit in Kitchener

If you’re dealing with pain right now, or you’ve been told your wisdom teeth should come out someday, we can take a look and explain your options. Wisdom tooth extraction is a lot less daunting when you know each step. Call Sherwood Dental at 519-576-2170 to book. We’re at 501 Krug Street, Unit 113, in Kitchener.

Wisdom teeth giving you trouble? See our tooth extractions in Kitchener page for how we handle removals, or call us at 519-576-2170.