Wisdom Tooth Removal: What to Expect During and After the Surgery

Some people have a wisdom tooth while others do not, so it remains to be a complete mystery for them. Some people suffer from numerous problems after the last molars appear, and the rest feel just the same. If you hit the first category, it is better to schedule an appointment at the dentist’s office. A dentist plays a crucial role in making decisions on wisdom tooth removal and if the specialist recommends you to go through the surgery, you should know what to expect during and after it.

The Reasons for Wisdom Teeth Extraction

The wisdom teeth erupt at the back of one’s mouth between 15 and 25 years. They do not play any role so most people decide to have wisdom teeth removed. Here is the most common reason for it:

• there is no room for new teeth in the person’s mouth; as a result, wisdom teeth come at a wrong angle and may harm the gum
• patients find it difficult to reach the wisdom teeth with a toothbrush and the oral care is poor, which results in gum disease or cavities
• patients are suffering from a wisdom tooth infection

Sometimes, a doctor decides to extract healthy molars to prevent possible problems in the future. Whether you have pain or not, the dentist is going to take an X-ray to see how your wisdom teeth are positioned and how much space they need to grow. If you are experiencing unpleasant symptoms or the dentist identifies problems with your wisdom teeth, you will have to schedule an appointment for having a tooth extracted.

The Peculiarities of the Surgery

According to a recent survey, 84% of adults say that bad teeth have a negative impact on their life, so they decide to apply for tooth extraction services when it comes to wisdom teeth.  Before the surgery, a person meets the dentist to discuss all details. Make sure you:

• mention any medicine that you regularly take
• talk about possible health problems to prevent complications
• ask all questions you are interested in
• discuss the type of anesthesia (local, general, IV sedation)
• plan time to recover after surgery before getting down to work

On average, tooth removal takes up to 45 minutes and is absolutely painless thanks to anesthesia. The dentist will cut the bone or gums to extract the tooth. In this case, he will stitch the wounds shut so they recover quickly. Usually, these stitches dissolve in a few days. If there is too much blood, the dentist will use gauze pads to soak it up.

What to Do After the Tooth Removal?

Your state of health after wisdom tooth removal depends on how you respond to anesthesia. For example, in case you had local anesthesia and feel well, you can go home alone. Some people even back to work at once or go in for usual activities. If you had general anesthesia and still do not feel alert, it is better to ask somebody to drive you home.

Some patients do not have any pain at all after surgery while others are experiencing some discomfort for a few days more. Anyway, you will need up to several weeks to recover completely.  Strictly follow all dentist’s recommendations to bring this day closer. Here are some dos and don’ts that you must adhere to for three days after having a tooth extracted.

Dos:

1. Apply an ice pack on your face to cope with skin color changes or swelling
2. Eat soft food after wisdom teeth extraction like soup, smoothies, etc.
3. Drink a lot of water or other fluids
4. Exercise your jaw by opening and closing your mouth
5. Start cleaning teeth the next day
6. Take prescribed medicine to reduce swelling and pain
7. Apply for emergency dental care if your health state doesn’t improve

Don’ts:

1. Do not use a straw as sucking may ease blood clots and prevent you from quick recovering
2. Use saltwater to rinse your mouth and do not do it too harshly
3. Don’t smoke as it may slow down your healing
4. Don’t consume sticky, hard or crunchy foods to avoid scratching the wounds

The Last Word

Wisdom tooth removal as any other dental procedure is not an enjoyable activity for sure. It requires approaching an experienced specialist who will provide the person with top-quality services and give efficient recommendations on further recovering. We, at Gallegos Family Dentistry, are ready to help you cope with any dental emergency including wisdom tooth removal so that you can forget about annoying tooth pain at last, and smile broadly every day. Get in touch with us to get answers to any questions connected with your oral health.