Before the day
How long does a tooth extraction take, and how long is the recovery? +
A simple extraction can be over in a few minutes of actual removal, plus time for numbing. A buried or broken tooth takes longer, and a wisdom tooth removal is often done in under about 40 minutes. Most people go home the same day and are back to normal activity within a day or two, with a few days off for difficult cases. Soreness and swelling then ease over the following week or two.
Do I need to get my wisdom teeth removed, and do all four have to come out? +
No, not necessarily, and not all of them. Wisdom teeth that have come through fully, can be cleaned and aren't causing trouble are usually just watched. Removal is advised for teeth that are repeatedly infected, decayed, damaging the tooth in front, or part of braces planning. An examination and X-ray tell Dr. Mahesh which group yours belong to, and it may be only one tooth.
Is there an alternative to surgery for a painful wisdom tooth? +
For a short while, sometimes. If the tooth is partly covered by gum and inflamed, careful cleaning, antiseptic rinses and, where there's infection, antibiotics can calm it down. If the same tooth keeps flaring up, removal is usually what settles it. A dentist needs to examine it, because the right short-term step depends on what's wrong. Don't just keep taking painkillers and hope.
Is extraction safe if I have diabetes, high blood pressure or take blood thinners? +
Often yes, with some planning. Diabetes, blood pressure, heart conditions, blood thinners, pregnancy and a recent illness can all change how or when an extraction is done. Bring your medicine list, recent reports and any advice from your physician, and never stop a prescribed medicine on your own before the visit. Dr. Mahesh goes through all of this at the start, instead of giving a blanket yes or no.
The day itself and the days after
Is wisdom tooth removal painful, and how much pain should I expect? +
The removal is done with the area numbed, so it should feel like pressure and tugging. Afterwards, soreness and swelling are common, usually peaking in the first couple of days, and your jaw may feel stiff. Paracetamol or ibuprofen, as advised, generally manages it. If the pain is growing around day two or three instead of fading, that's the point to call the clinic.
What can I eat after a tooth extraction? +
Soft or liquid food for the first day or two, such as curd rice, dal, khichdi, lukewarm soup or mashed banana. Wait for the numbness to wear off before eating so you don't bite your lip. Avoid hot drinks, spicy and crunchy food, alcohol and smoking in the early days, and chew on the opposite side. Return to normal food gradually as it feels comfortable.
Can I rinse with salt water, spit, sneeze or suck on the area after an extraction? +
Don't rinse hard, spit or suck on the area during the first day, since that can dislodge the clot. After that, gentle warm salt-water rinses, letting the water fall out, help keep the socket clean. If you need to sneeze, do it with your mouth open. Keep your tongue and fingers away. If your dentist gave you different timings, follow those instead.
Is it normal to still be in pain one day after an extraction? +
Yes. Soreness the next day is expected, and it may feel at its worst on that first night. It should then ease a little each day. Pain that grows around day two or three, rather than fading, deserves a check, because it can be a dry socket or an infection and both are treatable when caught early.
When something doesn't feel right
What is a dry socket, and how do I know if I have one? +
A dry socket happens when the blood clot is lost or never forms, leaving bone in the socket exposed. The typical picture is pain that gets worse some days after the removal, often with a bad taste or smell, and painkillers that barely help. It isn't dangerous in itself but it's very uncomfortable, and a dentist can treat it. Smoking, straws and hard rinsing early on raise the risk.
Is jaw and ear pain after wisdom tooth removal normal? +
A stiff, sore jaw for up to a week or two is common. Pain can also be felt in the ear on the same side, because the nerves in that area overlap. If the pain is getting worse rather than better, or comes with a bad taste, swelling or a fever, have it checked, since dry socket pain can spread towards the ear.
Water comes out of my nose after an upper tooth was removed. Is that serious? +
It needs to be looked at. The roots of the upper back teeth sit close to the sinus, and now and then an opening forms between the mouth and the sinus. Avoid blowing your nose hard or rinsing forcefully, and see your dentist soon so it can be examined and, if needed, treated. It isn't something to leave and hope it closes.
Why do I feel sick or keep tasting blood after an extraction? +
Swallowed blood can make you nauseous, and a pink tinge in the saliva during the first day is common. Continuous or heavy bleeding isn't. Bite firmly on clean, folded gauze for about ten minutes without checking it. If bleeding still hasn't stopped, or you can't stop vomiting, call the clinic or seek medical help.
Gaps, braces and cost
Do I need to replace a tooth after it's extracted, and how soon? +
A gap at the front, or where you chew, is usually worth replacing, because neighbouring teeth can lean in and the tooth opposite can drift, which upsets the bite and traps food. Choices include an implant, a bridge or a denture, and Dr. Mahesh can talk through them at your visit. A wisdom tooth at the very back generally doesn't need replacing. Timing depends on how the socket heals.
Can I have braces if my wisdom teeth haven't come through? +
Usually yes. Wisdom teeth that haven't erupted don't stop braces, but your dentist may want to keep an eye on them with an X-ray and sometimes suggests removal as part of the plan. Ask about it at your
braces consultation instead of assuming either way.
What decides the cost of a tooth or wisdom tooth extraction? +
Whether it's simple or surgical, the position of the tooth, the X-rays needed, how many teeth are involved and any follow-up visits. A buried wisdom tooth differs a lot from a loose front tooth, so figures only make sense after an examination.
Message us on WhatsApp or call to arrange a visit, and you'll get a clear estimate.
