Wisdom Teeth Removal: What to Expect From the Process

Getting your wisdom teeth removed soon? Here's on breakdown on what you can expect from the wisdom teeth removal process.

Many people fail to go to the dentist as much as they should. In fact, some people only go when there is a problem like needing wisdom teeth removal.

While some people are able to keep their teeth healthy without a dentist, it's really better to go to the dentist for regular checkups. Regular dental checkups will help you make sure that everything is going as well as possible.

If there is a problem, you'll be able to catch it quickly. When it comes to wisdom teeth, they can be problematic if left in place, but your dentist can advise you.

Continue reading this article to learn more about what to expect if you've got to have your wisdom teeth removed.

Reasons to Take Your Wisdom Teeth Out

Dentists are changing their view on taking out wisdom teeth. Before, it used to be that every dentist wanted to take out all of your wisdom teeth, but that's not how it is anymore.

When you're doing wisdom teeth removal, it's because there is a need for it.

The main reasons people want to take out their wisdom teeth are because either they're impacted, coming in at the wrong angle, they have a small mouth or because of cavities or gum disease.

If none of those things are in play, you may be able to leave your wisdom teeth put.

Preparing for Surgery

These procedures are surgery, so you have to make sure you're ready to take care of yourself afterward.

The first step is knowing what you're getting into. You learn this by going to speak to the oral surgeon.

If you have any health concerns, this is the time to voice them and let the dentist know what they're working with. You should also tell them about drugs you're taking and ask any questions you have before getting the work done.

You should plan time off work before you get the procedure done. It isn't going to feel good, and you want to make sure you don't have to get back into the swing of things right away after they're finished.

What Happens During the Surgery

When you're getting the surgery done, you'll either be fully asleep or you'll choose to have the dentist numb you.

The surgery will only take about 45 minutes or even less, and the type of anesthesia you use is an important part of the process. If you don't think you can deal with being awake during it all, you might opt for IV sedation or general anesthesia.

If you think you can deal with being awake during everything, you can go for local anesthetic, and you'll save some money.

The doctor might need to cut your bone or the gum to get the tooth out. If that is the case, they will stitch the wound so it will heal fast. These stitches will usually dissolve in a couple of days, so you don't have to go back in and have them removed.

Recovery Time Period

You might be wondering how long it is going to be before you can get back to your normal self.

The good news is that it should only take around three or four days to recover from a wisdom tooth removal procedure. If your case was a little more on the complicated side like impacted wisdom teeth, then you might have a little longer of a recovery period.

Keep in mind that the wound isn't going to fully heal for months. You need to be careful with your mouth so that you don't develop an infection, which will cause some serious problems.

What to Do During Recovery

When you're recovering from your oral surgery, you might be worried about what you're able to do. You need to get back to work, but you don't want to hurt yourself.

Some of the things you do want to avoid are smoking, spitting, heavy exercise, and drinking from straws. If you do any of those things, you might dislodge the blood clot or make the stitches come out of your mouth.

It is normal that you're going to have some swelling, bleeding, and pain after your procedure, but if you have too much pain or if there's a lot of bleeding, you need to call your dentist right away.

After the third day, you should notice that you're feeling a lot better. If you're still not feeling better, you might want to ask your doctor for recommendations.

If you have problems swallowing or breathing, have a fever, develop numbness, have blood or pus coming out of your nose, or anything else strange—this is not normal.

Make sure you're doing a good job caring for your mouth for the best results. You should be rinsing with salt water to keep the wound clean and then let the water drain from your mouth without spitting.

When you see or feel the blood in your mouth, you can dab the area with a gauze pad to get any blood out of your mouth. As long as you're careful after your surgery and keep your mouth clean, you should be good to go.

Wrapping Your Head Around Wisdom Teeth Removal

It might be scary to think about having teeth removed from your head. Now that you understand more about wisdom teeth removal, you'll be able to go into the procedure with a little more confidence.

Feeling good about the process is important if you want to have a positive experience, and now you have the best opportunity for a good experience to happen.

Do you need more help with oral health and other important topics? Keep going through our site to get the help you need.