Having a wisdom tooth extraction can be invasive surgery. It is often necessary to make room for the other teeth in the mouth. Some patients struggle to recover after this procedure. If you follow your dentist’s instructions, you should regain your strength. You can be back at your normal tasks soon.
It is common for people to need wisdom tooth extraction at some point in life. The wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that usually come in during a person’s late teens or early 20s. Not everyone will have four of these teeth, but the teeth often come in at odd angles or affecting the position of existing teeth. The surgery is more involved and challenging when the teeth have not yet emerged, though some people’s teeth have already come in when they have the procedure.
Because wisdom tooth extraction usually involves the use of general anesthesia, the patient should not do anything overly physical after the procedure. A caregiver or other trusted individual should pick up the patient and drive them home. Once there, the recovering patient should rest and relax, with the head elevated. The individual should not go to work immediately after the surgery and should plan to take things easy for the next 48 hours.
Wisdom tooth extraction can leave the patient feeling sore. There will be some pain at the surgical site, so the dentist will prescribe drugs to help the patient feel more comfortable. The recovering individual should take the medication as directed. Over-the-counter medication can also help, especially once the patient has taken all of the prescriptions.
The recovering patient should keep an ice pack on the mouth for 20 minutes at a time several times a day for the first days after the surgery. After the wisdom tooth extraction, the patient will have some swelling in the mouth, so the cold compression will help relieve this in time. If there is still swelling a week after the surgery, the individual should contact the dentist.
For the first week or so after surgery, the patient should not eat anything crunchy, chewy, or hot. For the first 48 hours, the individual should not drink with a straw. Right after wisdom tooth extraction, it is wise to stick to foods such as mashed potatoes, yogurt, bananas, and mild soup. Also, the patient should swish their mouth with salt water but should avoid brushing in the surgical area for five to seven days.
A wisdom tooth extraction can be rough for some people. If you are concerned about your recovery, make sure you follow these guidelines. When in doubt, call the dentist to get more information. You will soon be back on your feet enjoying the benefits of this procedure. If you think it is time to remove your wisdom teeth, consult your dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://www.drelloway.com or call Randal S. Elloway DDS, Inc at (530) 527-6777 for an appointment in our Red Bluff office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Wisdom Teeth Extraction in Red Bluff, CA.
Wisdom teeth extraction involves removing one or more of the teeth of the third set of molars. This can be performed before the tooth erupts, after the tooth has grown in, or if the tooth becomes impacted, i.e., it has only partially erupted from the gums. Extraction may be recommended for a variety of reasons.If…
If you are thinking about wisdom teeth extraction, now might be the right time for this procedure. These third molars can create problems in the mouth, both cosmetically and for your health. It is often more sensible to take out the teeth before they ever emerge. Doing so can help you avoid many of the…
The idea of getting a wisdom tooth extraction is something that can spark fear in people because it does involve the removal of very embedded teeth; however, modern technology has made the procedure less painful. Additionally, the in-depth training that general dentists undergo ensures that the process will be efficient and quick.For the most part,…
It is common for a person to choose wisdom teeth extraction. This often occurs during the teenage years before the teeth have erupted, but removal can take place later on as well. These third molars usually break through between the ages of 17 and 25. You likely will have two on the top and bottom…
Wisdom teeth extraction involves removing one or more of the teeth of the third set…
Dental crowns are often costly and require that a dentist remove a significant amount of…
If you are thinking about wisdom teeth extraction, now might be the right time for…
Advances in dentistry have made it possible to replace missing teeth with dental implants that…
Most people want to have dental implants right after dental extraction. Replacing the lost tooth…
Dental implants are effective, long-lasting artificial teeth. Implants are surgically attached to the jawbone to…
