A common question that you’ll run into is, “how do I get over the fear of getting my wisdom teeth pulled?” Many of us are “scared of wisdom teeth removal” and would rather deal with the annoying pain than have the procedure. I have the same fear just like everyone out there, the problem to being afraid of an oral surgeon and having the procedure done is from the bad experience I had back in when I was studying in the university. I used to visit the klinik pergigian back in my uni ( a local university in Serdang), the dentists were seemingly rough and I wasn’t allowed to change the dentist. The procedure itself was torturing and there were cracks at the corners of my mouth after the extraction. Unfortunately, I had done it twice with the same dentist, don’t ask me why didn’t I seek for others when I can barely afford the costs when I was just a student.

Wisdom teeth extractions are the most common surgical procedure that your oral surgeon or dentist can perform. He probably does an average of one per day and has the procedure down to an art. The actual act of removing wisdom teeth involves some anesthesia, a skilled hand, and a proper recovery. I am thankful that Laila (my colleague) introduce Dr Jon Low Tat Yeen (Doctor of Stomatology) to me and I am so grateful that Smileway allows me to share my experience (wisdom tooth extraction) here.

Do I Really Need to have my wisdom tooth removed?

Most of the dentist says you need to have your wisdom teeth taken out. But they don’t hurt, you say, so why remove them?

My wisdom tooth doesn’t hurt. Still, just because your wisdom teeth aren’t a source of pain doesn’t mean there’s nothing wrong. The teeth could be stuck or impacted. That means they can’t break through your jaw and into your mouth. Maybe your mouth is too small to make room for them, or the teeth could be growing at an angle to other teeth. They can damage the tooth next door if they push up against it.

Some dentists take out healthy molars to prevent problems later on. As you age, the bones in your mouth get harder. That makes your teeth tougher to remove.  If you wait, you could have problems after surgery that range from heavy bleeding and fractured teeth to severe numbness and minor loss of movement in your jaw. These troubles could last a few days or a lifetime.

I have seen my mom suffered from a wisdom toothache when I was in primary school. It is insanely painful and unbearable, but she would rather deal with the annoying pain than have the procedure. I saw her having fever, swollen face and having a severe headache, she could barely walk and every time when it comes back, she would be ended up resting on the bed for the whole day. It took her a few months to finally willing to visit the dentist, and her decision was a release from pain. Preventive Efforts Needed!

When is Removal Needed?

• Damage to other teeth: That extra set of molars can push your other teeth around, causing mouth pain and bite problems.
• Sinus Issues: Problems with wisdom teeth can lead to sinus pain, pressure, and congestion.
• Cavities: swollen gums can create pockets between teeth that help bacteria grow and cavities form. Deep pockets around incompletely erupted teeth create areas where bacterial plaque, calculus and food collecting. Cavities on tooth roots may develop in these areas.
• Alignment: Impacted wisdom teeth can cause problems with crowding of other teeth and even make a treatment to straighten other teeth necessary.
• ask your dentist.

Pictures above show my lower wisdom tooth, it is growing at an angle to other teeth. It doesn’t hurt, but food gets stuck in between the pocket that helps bacteria grow and you can see the cavities start forming on the neighbouring tooth. If cavities do develop on the roots of the neighbouring tooth, extraction of the wisdom teeth and the neighbouring tooth will likely be required.

Now, that might sound insanely scary and a little painful. Luckily I am in time to save it, Dr Jon added some minerals on the tooth before my wisdom tooth extraction to prevent it from cavities and to grow healthily.

Smileway Dental is a really a good dental that lives up its name and tagline: Honest, Gentle, Safe & Artistic Dentist. Dr Jon noticed there was a small cavity at the other tooth and he helped to fix it. I am really thankful for his kind gestures.

The Extraction Procedure

I was kinda worried last night when I think about the extraction today, it was caused by the trauma two years ago. Surprisingly, I feel no pain during the procedure and did not feel much of anything for a few hours following the procedure. It took less than an hour for the entire procedures including the other procedures done before the extraction.

Dr Jon’s impeccable skills delivering gentle dental care to his patients to achieve optimal dental health. He is so dedicated to providing personalized, gentle care that you deserve. He took control of the situation, calming me down and reassuring about how I felt. To be honest, I feel brave and unafraid.

Watch the video below to see the result: no swelling, with a bearable pain. No cracks at the corner of my mouth too ! Yeahhhh~

What happens after wisdom tooth removal?

In most cases, the recovery period lasts a few days. Some patients will recover in two days, some in a week. Be prepared to take it easy for as long as it takes.

• If swelling is a big concern, use ice packs on the outsides of your cheeks for the first 24 hours. Some patients experience little to no swelling at all, while others will experience more. Speak to your oral surgeon about how impacted your wisdom teeth are and how much swelling you should expect.
• Eat soft foods such as pudding or soup, and avoid using a straw for a few days. Do your best to avoid irritating the area by touching it with your tongue or fingers.
• Rest and refrain from any sports or strenuous activities for a few days. Take any medicaton prescribed as directed.

Final Thoughts

Wisdom tooth extraction is now an easy, hassle-free and completely safe procedure. What is more, today it is not even an expensive procedure with cheap wisdom teeth removal making life easier for one and all.

Smileway Dental Clinic offers a range of treatments and services for families across the area, focuses on general, cosmetic, restorative, and family dentistry. Whether you are in need of teeth whitening, dental braces, extractions, crowns, dentures or white fillings, Smileway Dental Clinic will provide exceptional service for you.

Instagram: Smileway.dental
Website: www.smileway.my
Email: contact@smileway.my
Whatsapp: 017 – 650 9817
Tel: 03 – 8011 5866
Address :
no. 77-2 (1st floor), Jalan USJ 21/10, 47620, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri 10am – 10pm , Sat 10am – 9pm, Sun 10am- 3pm

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