Wisdom Teeth Removal: Signs You Need It, Recovery Timeline and What to Eat

Wisdom teeth usually need to come out when they are impacted, crowding other teeth, decaying, or causing pain and infections. Most people feel noticeably better within three to four days after removal and are back to normal routines in about a week, while the sockets continue healing for several weeks. Soft, cool foods and avoiding straws help recovery go smoothly.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are your third molars, the last teeth to come in at the very back of your mouth. They usually appear between the late teens and early twenties. Many jaws simply do not have enough room for them, so they can come in at an angle, only partially break through the gums, or stay trapped (impacted) beneath the gum and bone.

Signs Your Wisdom Teeth May Need to Come Out

• Pain, pressure or tenderness at the back of your jaw
• Red, swollen or bleeding gums behind your last molars
• Repeated infections or a bad taste near a partially erupted tooth
• Crowding or shifting of your other teeth
• Decay in a wisdom tooth or the molar next to it, since they are hard to clean
• Jaw stiffness or difficulty opening your mouth fully

Do All Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

No. If your wisdom teeth come in fully, sit in the right position, are healthy and can be cleaned well, they may never need to come out. We recommend removal when they are impacted, causing problems, or likely to cause problems down the road. The late teens and early twenties are a common time for an evaluation, because the roots are not fully formed yet and recovery tends to be easier.

What Happens During Wisdom Teeth Removal

At Lighthouse Dental, wisdom teeth removal is performed in-house at our Hazel Dell office, so you stay with dentists you already know. We start with an exam and digital X-rays to see the position of each tooth and its roots. On the day of your procedure, the area is fully numbed with local anesthetic. For anxious patients, oral sedation is available to help you relax through the visit. You will leave with gauze in place and clear aftercare instructions.

Wisdom Teeth Recovery Timeline, Day by Day

• First 24 hours: some bleeding is normal. Bite on gauze as directed, rest with your head elevated, and use a cold pack on your cheek in short intervals.
• Days 2 to 3: swelling and soreness usually peak. Keep up with your pain relief plan and stick to soft foods.
• Days 4 to 7: most people feel much better and return to school or work. Swelling and bruising fade.
• Weeks 2 and beyond: the sockets keep filling in with new tissue. Keep the area clean as instructed until it has fully healed.

What to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal

Good choices for the first few days

• Yogurt, pudding and applesauce
• Smoothies, eaten with a spoon rather than a straw
• Mashed potatoes and well-cooked pasta
• Scrambled eggs
• Lukewarm soups and broths
• Oatmeal and cottage cheese

Foods and habits to avoid

• Straws, spitting and smoking, which can dislodge the healing blood clot
• Crunchy, hard or chewy foods like chips, nuts and popcorn
• Small seeds and grains that can get stuck in the socket
• Spicy foods and very hot drinks
• Alcohol, especially while taking any prescribed medication

Warning Signs: Dry Socket and Infection

Dry socket happens when the blood clot in the socket is lost before the area heals, exposing the bone underneath. It most often shows up two to four days after an extraction. Call us if you notice:

• Pain that gets worse after the first few days instead of better
• Pain that radiates toward your ear, eye or neck on the same side
• A bad taste or odor from the extraction site
• Fever, increasing swelling, or pus

If symptoms come on suddenly during office hours, our emergency dental care team can see you the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does wisdom teeth removal take?

The procedure itself often takes under an hour, depending on how many teeth are removed and whether they are impacted.

Does wisdom teeth removal hurt?

You should not feel pain during the procedure, since the area is fully numbed. Soreness afterward is normal and usually manageable with the pain relief plan we give you.

Can I go to work or school the next day?

Many people take one to three days off to rest. If you had oral sedation, plan to rest for the remainder of the day of your procedure.

Do you remove wisdom teeth in your own office?

Yes. Wisdom teeth are removed in-house at our Vancouver, WA office. We also perform other tooth extractions for damaged or problem teeth.

Schedule a Wisdom Teeth Evaluation

Not sure whether your wisdom teeth need to come out? Book an exam at Lighthouse Dental in Hazel Dell, Vancouver, WA, serving Salmon Creek, Felida and greater Clark County. Call (360) 576-3570 or schedule your appointment online.