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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care? Did you know you can save as much as 20 percent off your regular bills
with a New Hampshire Individual Discount Dental Plan
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Copyright: pxhidalgo
/ 123RF Stock Photo
