Top Facts About Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom tooth extraction has been with us for a while and it involves getting rid of your wisdom teeth. Especially when they are causing dental problems or have the capacity of doing so in future. Impacted wisdom teeth are usually extracted because they tend to cause a lot of problems.
Reasons For Tooth Extraction
Wisdom tooth extraction may be inevitable if your wisdom teeth become impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth grow at irregular angles to others and this may make them to be vulnerable to complications. If you are experiencing pain or there is an infection in your mouth, you may need to get rid of the wisdom tooth. In addition, extraction may the final solution if food as well as debris are usually trapped in-between the teeth.
Complications
Wisdom tooth extraction does not lead to long-term complications. In some instances, a surgical procedure may be required to carry out the extraction process. Some of the possible complications, which are very rare, include painful dry socket, damage to neighboring nerves, teeth or jawbone and infection of the socket.
The Preparation Process
Wisdom tooth extraction may be carried out in the office of your dentist. On the other hand, if the magnitude of impaction is great or an in-depth surgical procedure is required, you may be referred to an oral surgeon. You will be given all the necessary instructions on what to do and avoid before the extraction process.
You may arrange with someone to drive you home when the procedure is finished. Probably you will be advised to stay away from blood thinners for some days before your extraction. So that blood clot will not be adversely affected after the procedure. In addition, you should stay away from non-prescribed drugs before going for a wisdom tooth extraction.
What To Expect During the Procedure
Your oral surgeon or dentist has three options of anesthesia and the expected complicatedness of the procedure and your complacency level will determine the option to use. He can use a local, sedation and general anesthesia so that you will not feel any discomfort during the procedure.
An incision will be created in your gum tissue so that the tooth to be extracted as well as its supporting bone will be exposed. Thereafter, the bone blocking easy access to the root of the tooth will be removed and sectioning may be carried out in order to make the removal process easier.
The tooth is then removed while the site will be cleaned to get rid of any debris. Your doctor will stitch the wound so that fast healing will be promoted. However, this is not necessary at all times. A gauze will be placed over the site of extraction. So that bleeding will be controlled and blood clot enhanced.
After The Tooth Extraction
You will be taken to a special room for recovery after the extraction if a general or sedation anaesthesia is used on you. For a local anesthesia, your recovery time will be brief and this will probably take place on the dental chair. Your dentist will give you post-procedural instructions which will help your recovery process. The instructions may be on the following issues.
Bleeding
You may experience bleeding on the first day after the extraction. You should avoid too much spitting in order to prevent the dislodgement of blood clot from your socket. The gauze placed on the extraction site should be properly replaced in accordance to the instructions of your oral surgeon or dentist.
Pain management
Your doctor will prescribe pain management drugs for you while over-the-counter drugs, such as acetaminophen, can also be used for this purpose. Prescribed drugs are very helpful especially when bone was extracted during the process. You can also use a cold pack which can be held against your jaw for the purpose of relieving pain.
Swelling and bruising
They can be managed with an ice pack in accordance with the instructions of your doctor. Swelling should abate after about three days but bruising may take more days to disappear.
Activity
You should have it at the back of your mind that you need to rest properly for the rest of the day after you have gone through the surgical procedure. Usual activities can be resumed on the second day but strenuous ones should be avoided for about one week so that blood clot is not lost.
Beverages
It is very important for you to take plenty of water after your extraction. You should stay away from caffeinated, alcoholic, hot or carbonated beverages within the first 24 hours of your surgery. The use of straw for drinking should be suspended at this period so that you don’t get the blood clot dislodged.
Food
Within the first 24 hours, you should endeavour to take soft foods only. When it is possible for you to tolerate semi-solid foods, you can go ahead to take them. Spicy, hot, chewy or hard foods should be avoided at this period because they can irritate your wound or get stuck in your socket
Cleaning your mouth
Within the first 24 hours, you should have avoid brushing of your teeth and rinsing of your mouth. The use of mouthwash and spitting should be stayed away from during this period. You may be asked to start normal brushing when 24 hours have elapsed after the procedure. However, you should be very careful with the extraction site when you are brushing while rinsing with warm salt water after meal for one week can be a good practice.
Tobacco use
Smoking as well as use of other tobacco products should be avoided for at least 3 days after your extraction. Tobacco chewing should be particularly avoided at least for one week. The use of tobacco after your extraction has the potential of delaying healing and increasing your exposure to complications.
Conclusion
Wisdom tooth extraction is a safe procedure, especially when carried out by an experienced dentist or oral surgeon. As a result of this, you should carry out enough research that will lead to the discovery of an ideal professional.