How to Prepare for Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Many dental specialists recommend removing a wisdom tooth before it causes overcrowding or other oral health problems. However, the removal process can be painful and complicated.

After wisdom teeth removal, it’s important to follow the right recovery protocol. A quick call to your dentist can ease concerns and ensure the proper healing process is followed.

Preparation

Your oral surgeon will give you instructions on what to do before and after surgery. Taking some simple steps can help you prepare for your wisdom tooth extraction Bowling Green KY and make the procedure as smooth as possible.

If left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can cause serious problems. They may lead to infection, which can spread to other parts of your mouth or body. They may also interfere with the movement and alignment of your other teeth.

Infections around partially erupted wisdom teeth can also cause bad breath and an unpleasant taste in your mouth. It is important to avoid vigorous rinsing, drinking through straws, and smoking because they can dislodge or dissolve the blood clot that protects the extraction site. This can cause a painful condition called dry socket. Dry socket can be treated with a medicated dressing. We recommend avoiding hard or crunchy foods until the socket has completely healed. Having a plan in place for your recovery before the procedure can reduce stress and ensure that you do not have to wait long for treatment.

Procedure

The dentist or oral surgeon will take X-rays of your mouth to check the position of your wisdom teeth. If they have not erupted fully or become partially impacted, you may need to have them removed.

Local anesthesia will be applied to the area where the tooth is to be removed. The dentist or oral surgeon will then open the gum tissue and remove the tooth. The socket will be sewed closed. Until the wound is healed, it is important not to rinse, spit forcefully or suck from a straw. This can dislodge the blood clot and cause dry socket.

After the local anesthesia wears off, you will experience some pain and swelling. You may also notice a tingling sensation or numbness in your lower lip, chin and tongue. This is temporary and will resolve gradually over several days. If stitches are needed, they will dissolve on their own within 3 to 5 days. To help prevent post-operative complications, it is a good idea to have someone stay with you for 24 hours after your procedure and drive you home (if required). Depending on the type of anesthesia used, you may be dizzy when you first stand up from lying down.

Recovery

If the tooth is impacted, your oral surgeon might need to widen the socket or divide it into sections for removal. They will close the opening with dissolvable stitches if needed.

You may experience pain and swelling after your wisdom tooth extraction. However, most people recover within a few days and can return to work or school. To minimize discomfort, take prescription pain relievers as directed. Applying a cold compress can also help reduce swelling and pain.

Avoid chewing, drinking hot liquids, or smoking as these can damage the healing gums and dislodge the blood clot. Smoking is also known to increase the risk of an infection or delayed healing after a wisdom tooth extraction.

Make sure to plan ahead for the surgery by setting up child care, pet care, or transportation home if necessary. If you are sedated or under general anesthesia, you will need to have someone stay with you for the first 4 hours after you arrive home.

Post-Operative Care

The surgery itself is short and performed under sedation to help you feel calm and comfortable. It’s important that you follow postoperative guidelines for wisdom tooth extraction Bowling Green KY management to ease discomfort, swelling and bleeding after the procedure.

You will be given a gauze pad to hold over the surgical site to control bleeding and encourage a blood clot to form. Vigorous mouth rinsing or sucking, touching the wound area or using a hard toothbrush should be avoided as this could initiate bleeding or dislodge the clot.

After the surgery, you should start irrigating the lower extraction sites with lukewarm salt water 2-3 times per day to reduce bacteria in the mouth and speed healing. You should also avoid smoking, which can delay recovery and increase the risk of infection. You may experience tingling or numbness in the lower lip, chin and tongue as local anesthesia wears off. This is a normal reaction and will resolve gradually over time.