Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars located at the back of your mouth. It usually appears between the age of 17 -24 years.
Wisdom teeth removal is the most common treatment found in the dentistry world. There is a lot of confusion regarding the wisdom teeth removal among the people. So in this article, I have tried to put together everything you need to know when getting your wisdom teeth removed.
Many people do not feel any discomfort with the arrival of wisdom teeth and live happily ever after. However, in the case of other people, they do not have enough space in their mouths to let grow wisdom teeth comfortably. Hence, the need for wisdom teeth removal arises to get rid of the pain people experience with it.
Impacted and partially impacted wisdom teeth
When wisdom teeth develop in our mouth but do not penetrate the gums, then it is known as impacted teeth. On the other hand, teeth that grow only partially are called partially impacted wisdom teeth.
In both cases, the tooth can grow at any angle due to the lack of space in the mouth. With this many major problems arises like:
- Harm to other teeth: In case the wisdom tooth form against the second molar, it can lead to infection in that area. It can further cause problems for other teeth as well and might require orthodontic treatment to straighten up the teeth.
- Tooth decay: Partially impacted wisdom teeth remain at higher risk to get tooth decay than other teeth. The reason behind this is partially impacted teeth are difficult to clean and as a result food particles get stuck between the teeth and gums.
- Gum diseases: Due to lack of cleaning of the partially impacted wisdom teeth, an inflammatory gum condition develops known as pericoronitis in that area.
What to expect before wisdom tooth removal treatment?
Before going for your tooth extraction, you will meet your dentist for guidance. During this time, you can ask your dentist any questions or doubts you have for your wisdom teeth removal surgery. Some important things you should consider discussing in this meeting are:
- Talk about your health conditions if any
- Mention any medications you are talking
- Ask what type of anesthesia you will be on during the surgical procedure.
- Discuss the time for your appointment and other things to keep in mind while performing the surgery
What to expect during wisdom teeth removal surgery?
Generally, the wisdom teeth surgery takes 45 minutes. The wisdom tooth extraction procedure isn’t painful since you have been given anesthesia.
There are three primary options to choose from when undergoing a wisdom tooth removal treatment- general, oral sedation, and IV sedation. You may consult your dentist to suggest the best and suitable treatment for your operation.
You will remain unconscious throughout the process under the influence of anesthesia. Once the medication is injected, your dentist will use dental surgical tools to cut your gums and remove wisdom tooth from there. Following that, the surgeon will stitch your wounds so that your gums can heal quickly. These stitches will get dissolved on their own, so you don’t have to visit your dentist again to get that opened. With that, your surgeon will reduce the medication to help you gain back your consciousness.
What to expect after wisdom teeth removal treatment?
This is the most important time in your wisdom teeth removal treatment. During the recovery period, you need to take the utmost care of your teeth and gums. To speed up the healing process, do follow your dentist instructions on the following things:
Pain, swelling, and bleeding:
After the wisdom teeth removal, you can experience pain or swelling for 3-4 days. In some people, it might last for a week or so. To reduce swelling, you can use an ice pack or take tips from your dentist to cope up with the after surgery pain.
Similarly, you may also notice bleeding in your gums after treatment. After wisdom tooth removal, a blood clot is formed in the bone from where the tooth was extracted- known as a socket. Try not to spit more during this time to avoid the displacement of blood clots from the socket. For this, your dentist will give you gauze to bite for controlling blood in the mouth.
Cleaning your mouth:
For the first 24 hours after your wisdom tooth removal treatment, do not brush teeth, spit, and floss or use any mouthwash. Usually, you can resume brushing after 24 hours of your surgery. However, be gentle while brushing your teeth especially around the wounded area. In addition to this, rinse your mouth with warm salt water after your meals or every two hours to relieve the pain.
Smoking or tobacco use:
To maintain your oral health and hygiene, you should quit smoking in the first place. If you cannot do that, at least don’t smoke or consume any tobacco product for 72 hours after your treatment. Doing so will only lower up your recovery process and may cause serious complications for your teeth.
What to eat after wisdom tooth removal?
Keeping your eating practices good during the early days after your treatment will help you speed up your healing journey. For the first 2-3 days after your surgery, rely on soft foods like yogurt, smoothie’s pudding, or applesauce as it is easy to eat and provide the required nutrition to your body. After some days, you can add semisoft foods in your diet to change your taste buds like ice-cream, mashed potatoes, etc.
Do not forget to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Avoid coffee, tea, or hot beverages for at least 24 hours after your treatment. Do not consume hard, chewy, hot, or spicy foods as it can open the wound and delay in healing. Also, remember not to have anything too hot or cold to avoid irritation and pain in your teeth and gums. Moreover, do not take anything from a straw as it can dislodge the blood clot from the socket.
Conclusion
Wisdom teeth removal isn’t something everyone needs to go through. However, if your dentist has recommended you to get your wisdom teeth removed, do not delay in the treatment.
You would not feel the need to visit your dentist often after getting your wisdom teeth removed if you will take care of your teeth and gums properly after treatment. So, keep your teeth strong so that nothing goes wrong.