Are you preparing for your wisdom tooth extraction? If so, this may be the last hurdle between you and a brighter smile! Extracting a wisdom tooth can be intimidating, but with the right knowledge and preparation and proper care afterwards—it’s not something to worry about.
Whether it’s your first time getting an extraction or you want a refresher course on what all is involved, we hope that after reading this post, smiles will reclaim their territory in no time! We’ll explore all you need to know about a wisdom tooth extraction and how best to look after yourself during recovery.
Overview: Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom tooth extraction, or ‘third molar extraction’, is a dental procedure to remove one or more of the four wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth usually develop in late adolescence and early adulthood (ages 17-25). As they erupt, wisdom teeth can cause problems such as crowding or impaction of other teeth. It can increase the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and other dental problems. In these cases, a dentist or oral surgeon may need to extract or remove wisdom teeth.
Wisdom tooth extraction, or third molar extraction, is a dental surgery to remove one or more wisdom teeth. There are two types of wisdom tooth extraction procedures: Non-surgical/Simple and Surgical.
During Your Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Depending on your situation and the condition of your wisdom teeth, extractions may be performed as a non-surgical or surgical procedure.
Non-Surgical Extraction
If possible, your dentist will attempt to use special instruments to gently remove the tooth in one piece. Sometimes, this can be done without anaesthetics.
Surgical Extraction
If a tooth is embedded into the gum or has not erupted, your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon for surgical extraction. This procedure usually requires local anaesthesia and often sedation dentistry if necessary. During a surgical extraction, your oral surgeon will access the impacted tooth by making small incisions in your gums. The gum tissue is then gently pulled back, and the tooth may be removed in multiple pieces.
After Your Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Once the wisdom tooth extraction procedure is completed, following your dentist’s aftercare instructions is important. Immediately following the process, you should expect minor bleeding, which can be managed by lightly biting on a gauze pad for up to 30 minutes. Swelling and discomfort in the area can also occur and can be managed with cold compresses and over-the-counter pain medications.
Keep the area clean by rinsing your mouth with warm salt water several times daily and avoiding brushing or flossing in the extraction site until it has healed sufficiently. Your dentist will also prescribe an antibiotic to help prevent infection.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction RECOVERY TIPS for Fast Healing Process
Recovery from wisdom teeth removal normally takes around seven to ten days. However, proper care and adherence to post-op instructions can help reduce pain and ensure a faster healing process. Here are some tips for recovering from wisdom teeth extraction:
#1. Follow Your Dentist or Oral Surgeon’s Instructions
Follow all instructions provided by your dentist or oral surgeon after the procedure, such as taking prescribed medication and maintaining proper hygiene habits. Doing so will help minimize the risk of complications developing during recovery.
#2. Pain and Swelling Management
During recovery, some pain and swelling are to be expected. To help manage this, your dentist or oral surgeon may give you an analgesic and anti-inflammatory medication. Taking the prescribed medications as directed for optimal pain relief is important. Additionally, applying ice packs can help reduce swelling and ease discomfort.
#3. Execute Dietary Restrictions
Avoiding hard, chewy, and crunchy foods is important during recovery. Eating soft foods like applesauce, yoghurt, mashed potatoes, and oatmeal can help promote healing while allowing the extraction site to rest.
#4. Rest and Relax
During the first few days after the extraction, it is vital to get plenty of rest to accelerate the healing process. Additionally, avoiding strenuous activities and sports can help prevent unnecessary bleeding or injury to the extraction site.
#5. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Keeping the mouth clean after wisdom teeth removal is essential for preventing infection. Your dentist will provide a special mouthwash and recommend gentle teeth brushing away from the extraction.
#6. Stay Hydrated
Drinking fluids keeps your body hydrated and reduces bleeding at the extraction sites. Water is an ideal fluid choice as it does not contain sugar or caffeine, which can irritate the healing area.
#7. Avoid Smoking and Alcohol
Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol for 48-72 hours after surgery to avoid infection and slow healing.
#8. Take the Prescribed Medication
Take the medication as directed and not exceeding the recommended dosage or duration of treatment for a successful recovery.
#9. Watch for Complications
Some signs of complications after wisdom teeth extraction includes fever, severe pain at the extraction site, excessive bleeding, and swollen lymph nodes. Contact your dentist or surgeon immediately if you have these symptoms for diagnosis and treatment.
#10. Schedule a Follow-Up Care
After the recovery, schedule follow-up care to ensure that the healing process has been successful and that there have been no complications. They will examine the extraction site and ensure it is healing properly.
Conclusion
Getting a wisdom tooth extraction can be intimidating and lead to beautiful results. With the right knowledge and preparation, you won’t need to worry about the upcoming appointment. After following all the advice in this post, recovery should go much smoother than if you were not properly informed of what to do when heading into surgery. Now that you know what wisdom tooth extraction is all about, it’s time to prepare your smile!
