Bozart Family Dentistry Tip of the Week: Wisdom Tooth Extraction: What to Expect

Once you're dentist has identified that you do indeed need to have a wisdom tooth removed, the process really just begins. Let’s take more of a look at the process you will go through after this diagnosis.
Where to have Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Wisdom teeth can be removed by a number of different dental professionals and locations. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon, separate from your dentist office may be referred if you're dentist can not perform the surgery themselves, or if they can perform oral surgery as well, such as Dr. Bozart, they can do it right in house. If it looks like more complications may arise due to your medical background or complications with the wisdom teeth themselves, then in rare instances the surgery may be located at your local hospital. However, in most instances this will not be the case.

What to Expect Before and During Wisdom Tooth Extraction Surgery

Before having the surgery, you're dentist will apply a local anesthetic to numb the area of which the tooth will be removed from. If removing all wisdom teeth at once, a general anesthetic may be used to help you to sleep through the entire surgery. In preparation for the surgery, you will most likely be asked not to eat or drink from midnight on the evening before surgery is scheduled.

In order to remove the wisdom tooth itself, your dentist will open up the gum tissue over the tooth, and take out any bone covering the tooth. After this, your dentist will separate the tissue connecting the tooth to the bone, and then remove the wisdom tooth. After surgery is complete, you may need stitches and your dentist will most likely place a cotton gauze over the effected area to stop any remaining bleeding.

What to Expect After Wisdom Tooth Extraction
In most cases, the recovery period lasts only a few days. Take painkillers only as prescribed by your dentist or oral surgeon. These tips will help to speed up your recovery time:
• Bite gently on the gauze pad periodically, and change pads as they become soaked with blood. Call your dentist or oral surgeon if you still have bleeding 24 hours after your surgery
• While your mouth is numb, be careful not to bite the inside of your cheek lip, or tongue
• Do not lie flat as this may prolong the bleeding. Instead, prop your head up with pillows
• Try using an ice pack on the outside of your cheek for the first 24 hours. A moist heat, such as a washcloth soaked in warm water and wrung out may help over the following 2 - 3 days.
• Relax after surgery, as physical activity may increase bleeding.
• Eat soft foods, such as gelatin, pudding, or a thin soup. Gradually add solid foods to your diet as healing progresses.
• Do not use a straw for the first few days. Sucking on a straw can loosen the blood clot and delay healing.
• After the first 24 hours, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water several times a day to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
• Do not smoke for at least 24 hours after your surgery. The sucking motion can loosen the clot and delay healing. In addition, smoking decreases the blood supply and can bring germs and contaminants into the surgery area.
• Avoid rubbing the area with your tongue or touching it with your fingers.
• Continue to brush your teeth and tongue, but very carefully.
Your dentist will then remove the stitches after a few days, if needed.


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