Wisdom teeth are very common and having them removed is also very common. Most people just don’t have space for them, and they need to come out to protect your other teeth. If you are planning on having your wisdom teeth removed, then you shouldn’t be too worried. It is a simple procedure that happens every day. There are just a few things to plan ahead for. Here is what to expect after wisdom tooth extraction.
You’ll Need Some Recovery Time
Once you have your wisdom teeth extracted, you’ll immediately go into recovery. Because it is a surgery, the dentist will need to anesthetize you. The medications used for this can take a long time to wear off completely, so you will need someone to take you home and care for you until they do. This can take a few hours after you wake up or the rest of the day.
After that, you will need to take it easy on certain activities for a while. Anything that stresses your mouth, like playing an instrument or chewing gum, should be avoided. Your gums have been opened and sealed, so it will take some time for them to fully heal. You don’t want to risk tearing them open. Most people recover fully in a week, at the most. However, it could take longer in special circumstances.
Choose Your Food Carefully
Once you are back on your feet, choose your food carefully. You want to eat foods that are soft and cool. The coolness will help sooth your jawline, making it less likely you’ll need more pain medication. Eating soft foods makes it much easier to chew. When you eat, try to take small bites so that you can control where the food is in your mouth. That way, you can keep it away from the back of your mouth where you will be the most tender. Keep in mind, this will limit your access to your molars. So, you want to eat foods that are easier to break up with your other teeth.
Don’t Brush Your Teeth
Right after the surgery, you won’t be able to brush your teeth or clean your mouth at all. Doing so can loosen the blood clots that your body makes to hold the incisions for the procedure shut. This generally only lasts about 24 hours. Then, you can start brushing like normal again. Take your time and use a soft brush. Try to avoid aggressive cleaners, like electric brushes, water flossers, and mouthwash.
Plan for Pain and Swelling
After any surgery, there is pain and swelling that you need to deal with. Your doctor will give you recommendations for pain management, which you should follow exactly. For most people, something simple like Tylenol or Ibuprofen is recommended. In rare cases, more potent medications are prescribed. If this is the case, try to use it exactly as recommended, and for as short a time as possible to avoid any chance of developing a dependency on it.
You can also use natural pain management methods to supplement or avoid medications. Meditation, light activity, and cooling foods or compresses can be helpful in fighting pain and swelling. Your gum line will swell a bit at first, but the swelling will dissipate in a few days.
You Must Follow Up with Your Dentist
Make sure that you have a follow-up appointment with your dentist. Your dentist needs to check the incisions and make sure that they are healing properly. If there is a problem, it can be corrected to avoid future problems. Most follow up appointments are scheduled for five to seven days after the surgery. When you schedule your wisdom teeth removal, try to schedule the follow-up at the same time.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are ready to schedule your wisdom tooth extraction with a caring, friendly dental office, contact Arrowhead Dental Associates today at 401-364-6300 to schedule your child’s first appointment!