What to Expect When Getting Your Wisdom Teeth Out
The vast majority of people develop four wisdom teeth. They usually appear between the ages of 17 and 21. Some people do not have wisdom teeth at all. In fact, you can live a healthy life without those teeth. They serve little purpose and in some cases may even do more harm than good.
When your wisdom teeth start to erupt, you may feel some discomfort. But if you experience pain, you should see your wisdom tooth removal Surrey Hills professional immediately. The doctor will examine your situation carefully and decide whether you should keep the tooth.
In extreme cases, the dentist may recommend to take your wisdom tooth out. Let’s dig deeper to find out the main reasons for wisdom tooth removal and what you might expect during and after the procedure.
Reasons to Get Your Wisdom Tooth Out
Your wisdom teeth can cause serious dental and oral problems if there is not enough space for them to grow. You may feel severe pain if a wisdom tooth is trapped in the jawbone or under your gums. If that happens, your dentist will definitely insist on getting that tooth out. Otherwise, you will run the risk of developing serious complications. For wisdom tooth removal near Mont Albert please call our clinic today.
The doctor will also recommend removing a wisdom tooth located in the wrong position that allows food to get stuck. If that tooth is left untreated, it creates the ideal conditions for the growth of cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth. As a result, swelling, stiffness and pain occur in your jaw.
So, your dentist will tell you to get rid of the tooth if it causes pain, infection, cysts, gum disease or damages the neighboring teeth. If you realize that your wisdom tooth removal is inevitable, there is no need to panic. The best thing that you can do is to prepare for the procedure and try to stay calm. For wisdom tooth removal Kew we’re only a phone call away.
Getting Ready for Your Wisdom Tooth Removal
This type of surgery is usually done by an oral surgeon or dentist. You should meet with the wisdom tooth removal Camberwell professional and discuss the upcoming procedure. Do not forget to tell the doctor about any health problems that you have. If you take any drugs on a regular basis, tell the doctor about it as well.
Don’t feel embarrassed if the surgery frightens you. It’s normal to be afraid. Communicate with the doctor openly and ask all the questions that you have. It will help you to calm down and relax. Discuss what type of anesthesia would be the right option for you. You can be numb or even asleep during the procedure. If you are planning to get the surgery done in the nearest future, take some time off from work.
If you have kids or pets, think who will be able to take care of them while you are away. The good news is that most patients can get back home right after the surgery.
How the Surgery is Done
The procedure usually takes about 45 minutes or even less. During the surgery your wisdom tooth removal Deepdene dentist will use one of the following types of anesthesia – local, sedation or general anesthesia. The choice depends on the complexity of the extraction and your overall health.
Local anesthesia is an injection of medication made into the gum near the site of the extraction. After the injection, the area gets numb and you feel no pain as a result. However, you will stay awake during the whole surgery.
Sedation anesthesia is used to suppress consciousness during the tooth removal procedure. Your dentist will give you a medication by an intravenous injection. It will make you feel relaxed and drowsy. The surgery will not be painful due to this type of anesthesia.
In particular situations, your wisdom tooth removal Hawthorn dentist may offer general anesthesia. You will either inhale medication or get an IV injection. You will be asleep during the whole procedure. The doctors will closely monitor your breathing, blood pressure, temperature and the overall condition. Patients usually wake up about an hour after the surgery.
When the anesthesia is given, the doctor makes an incision in your gum or bone to get the tooth out. Some wisdom teeth are very hard to extract. So, your wisdom tooth removal Balwyn dentist may divide the tooth into several fragments to get it out. Once the tooth is removed, the doctor cleans thoroughly the sight of the extraction and stitches the wound. After that, the dentist usually gives the recommendations on how to take care of the wound to promote its healing.
What Happens After Surgery
Each patient is unique. So, everyone has different reactions to anesthesia. If you had local anesthesia and feel well, you are likely to get back home as soon as the procedure is over. When you wake up after the general anesthesia, you should ask someone to help you drive home as you may still feel drowsy.
During the first 3 days after the tooth removal surgery you should put an ice pack on your face to reduce swelling. Do not forget to drink a lot of water. Avoid drinking alcohol, coffee and soda. Drinking too hot beverages is not recommended as well. Take painkillers that your wisdom tooth removal Mont Albert dentist prescribes.
Eat soft food such as soup, rice, pasta or yoghurt. Avoid hard foods that may scratch the wound and prevent it from healing properly. Plus, you shouldn’t rinse your mouth and clean your teeth during the first 24 hours after the procedure. Doctors do not recommend their patients to smoke at least several days after the surgery. Keep in mind that smoking can significantly increase the risk of complications.
Patients usually wonder if they can drive a car after the surgery. If you received a local anesthetic during the procedure, you will be able to drive immediately. If a sedative was used, you should avoid driving for 24 hours. In case you had general anesthesia, do not drive for at least 48 hours.
As you can see, wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure. By following your dentist’s instructions, you will be able to recover soon and return to everyday life.