Wisdom Teeth Extraction: Expectations

At the age of 17 to 25 is when people grow wisdom teeth. Your dentist can spot them on x-rays. However, wisdom teeth can cause a lot of complications. This is the reason why most people undergo wisdom teeth extractions. If your dentist decides it is time you had your wisdom teeth extracted, he may send you to an oral surgeon.

Why Wisdom Teeth are extracted

Several reasons necessitate having this procedure:

• Impacted Teeth: As they come out, the wisdom teeth may be trapped in the gums or jawbone, causing you immense pain.
• Misalignment: Wisdom teeth may come out in the wrong angle, and when they do, they may lean on the surrounding teeth.
• Lack of Enough Space in the Oral Cavity: Your mouth may be too small to accommodate this set of teeth.
• You have gum disease or cavities: This will prevent you from reaching the wisdom teeth during brushing and flossing.

What to Expect Before Surgery

You will make an appointment with your oral surgeon and discuss the process in detail. During this appointment:

• Divulge your health problems
• If you are on any drugs, tell the oral surgeon
• Ask questions about the procedure
• Ask the surgeon to help you choose your desired anesthesia
• Plan time to have the procedure done

What to Expect on the Day of the Surgery

You have to arrive at the dental clinic at least an hour before the set time for the procedure so that anesthesia can be administered. To eliminate any discomfort, pain, or anxiety, one of these kinds of anesthesia will be applied:

• Local anesthesia: Your mouth will be numbed with a local anesthetic. Additionally, you may breathe nitrous oxide to relax you or make you feel drowsy. Shortly afterward, you will feel alert.
• IV Sedation: After numbing your mouth, the surgeon will proceed to administer some drugs via a vein in the arm to drive you to sleep. You will likely be asleep throughout the whole operation.
• General anesthesia: You will either breathe in gas through a mask or get drugs via a vein to put you to sleep even hours after the procedure.

The longest this procedure can take is 45 minutes. There may be a need for your doctor to cut the jawbone or gums to pave the way for your wisdom teeth. If this happens, the wounds will be stitched shut to accelerate healing.

Expectations after the Surgery

As the anesthesia wears off, the numbness in your mouth will fade. It is normal to experience some swelling and pain and the occasional appearance of blood in the mouth. Feel free to use a cold compress on the affected site. Your doctor will prescribe some medications before sending you home. It is mandatory to have somebody drive you home.

Home-based Care

Your mouth should be well-taken care of to keep complications and infections at bay. You will receive instructions from your surgeon on how best to do this.

It would be best if you didn’t brush or floss for a day. Rinsing using salt water to clean the wound is recommended, and when done, do not spit the water. Instead, lower your mouth and let it fall out. Also, it is advised to use a gauze dab for your wound to absorb the excess blood gently.

In about two days, you can jump to your normal routine, but care should be taken not to disrupt the stitches or blood clots as dislodging the latter will cause you pain and increase the risk of infection. Avoid the following activities during recovery:

• Spitting
• Smoking
• Using a straw
• Any activity that would disrupt the blood clot or stitches

What to Eat and What Not To

A good diet and staying hydrated is key to a quick recovery. After the surgery, you have to start with soft foods that do not require much chewing and avoid disrupting the stitches and blood clots. Your doctor may recommend:

• Apple sauce
• Cottage cheese
• Soup
• Pudding
• Smoothies
• Mashed potatoes

At all costs, stay away from hot foods and drinks, seeds, and nuts. When you get a little better, you can go back to your normal diet.

Gentle Dental Care Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry in Lansing, MI

Are you looking to have a wisdom teeth extraction procedure near you? Why don’t you visit us at Gentle Dental Care? Our dentist in Lansing, MI, has over a three-decade experience. Call us today and book an appointment.