During a wisdom teeth extraction, the dentist or oral surgeon first reviews X-rays to see the position of the teeth and then administers anesthesia, which may range from local numbing to sedation or, in complex cases, general anesthesia. If the tooth is impacted, a small incision is made in the gum and sometimes a bit of bone is removed to access the tooth. The tooth is then loosened and taken out, either whole or in sections if needed, and the area is cleaned of any debris or infection. Stitches may be placed to close the site, and gauze is used to control bleeding while a clot forms. Recovery usually involves some swelling, bleeding, and discomfort in the first day or two, with swelling peaking around the second or third day, and most healing occurring within a couple of weeks. Aftercare includes resting, using ice packs for swelling, taking pain relief as prescribed, eating soft foods, and avoiding activities like smoking, drinking through straws, or spitting forcefully to reduce the risk of dry socket.