Wisdom teeth may need to be removed if they are impacted, causing pain, crowding nearby teeth, or increasing the risk of infection and gum disease. Extraction helps protect your oral health and prevent future dental complications.
Common signs include jaw pain, swollen gums, difficulty opening your mouth, headaches, bad breath, or discomfort in the back of the mouth. Your dentist may also recommend extraction based on X-rays showing impacted or improperly aligned wisdom teeth.
Wisdom tooth extraction is typically performed under local anesthesia or sedation to keep you comfortable during the procedure. Some swelling and mild discomfort after surgery are normal and can usually be managed with medication and aftercare instructions.
Most patients recover within a few days to a week after wisdom tooth extraction. Swelling and soreness generally improve within the first few days, and following your dentist’s aftercare instructions can help speed up healing.
After wisdom tooth removal, it is best to eat soft foods such as yogurt, soup, mashed potatoes, smoothies, and applesauce. Avoid hard, crunchy, spicy, or hot foods for the first few days to protect the healing area.