Five Things to Know About Removing Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the last molars to come in on each side of the jaws. Since they are the last teeth to break the gum line, there is often enough room left to accommodate them, but wisdom teeth often become impacted and need to be extracted. Getting wisdom teeth removed is a common occurrence for many teenagers and young adults, but it is still a major procedure that requires a decent amount of recovery time, care, and preparation. Before scheduling a wisdom teeth extraction, here are a few things that everyone should know about having those teeth removed.

Bring a Friend

Bring someone with you to the dentist’s or surgeon’s office because after the procedure, patients are often still heavily medicated, either from anesthesia or prescribed medication, and they need someone to drive them home afterward. Patients receive an anesthetic to numb the extraction site and then, depending on how many teeth are being removed, receive a general anesthetic to help them sleep through the surgery if that is the route they choose to take. The effects of the medication typically wear off in a few hours, but patients are not able to safely drive themselves home.

Keep Your Head Up

Swelling is normal after a wisdom teeth extraction, often reaching its peak after 24 hours before starting to subside. In addition to using a cold compress, patients should try to keep their heads raised. This prevents any fluids from rushing to the head and helps keep the swelling under control.

Get Plenty of Rest

After the anesthesia or medication wears off, patients may need pain medication to handle the pain of the teeth extraction. Some prescriptions may cause patients to become drowsy and require them to rest. Getting plenty of sleep only helps the healing process.

Stock Up on Soft Foods

It is important that patients avoid irritating their gums after extraction. To properly heal and avoid any infections, patients should stick to eating soft foods. Food choices should be limited to foods like applesauce and soups. Before wisdom teeth are removed, stock up on the right foods to make recovery easier and quicker.

Skip the Toothbrush for a Day

As hard as it may be, patients should resist the urge to brush their teeth on the first day. Even rinsing and spitting can be problematic. If patients really need to cleanse, they should wipe around their mouth with a damp cloth, but they should avoid their stitches in the process. They can also follow up with a gauze to absorb any blood.

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