The recovery process for wisdom teeth removal can be painful, but it is important to follow the doctor’s instructions. The pain and swelling should begin to go down in a few days. You should avoid smoking and drinking alcohol for 24 hours after the procedure to prevent dry socket. Drink plenty of water and eat soft foods to keep your mouth moist. You can eat solid foods again after 48 hours, but avoid chewing on the side where the tooth was removed. If you have a denture, it should be put in place as soon as possible after the surgery to avoid dry socket and other complications.
We recommend that you bring a friend or family member along to drive you home after your treatment as you will be feeling disoriented from the sedation.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Your wisdom teeth may need to be removed because they are impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth are molars in the back of your mouth that haven’t erupted completely through your gums and into your jaw bone. This can lead to problems with your oral health, such as cysts and infections. They can also cause damage to nearby teeth and your jawbone.
Wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure that can help prevent problems later on. The dentist will take X-rays and consult with you about your symptoms before giving you anesthesia. You can choose between local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia for your surgery. Your oral surgeon will make an incision in your gum tissue and remove the impacted tooth or teeth. The incision site may need to be sutured, but it will usually heal on its own over time.
How does having a Wisdom Tooth removed affect a person’s quality of life?
Getting wisdom teeth removed can improve a patient’s quality of life by decreasing pain and discomfort. Having an impacted wisdom tooth can lead to painful and dangerous infections in the mouth and jaw. It can also cause problems with eating and speaking. If the impacted wisdom tooth is not removed in time, it can cause a cyst that could destroy adjacent teeth and the jawbone.
A wisdom tooth removal can also decrease a patient’s chance of developing chronic sinusitis. Sinus problems can be caused by wisdom teeth that don’t erupt properly or partially, or they can be caused by bacteria and food debris trapped under the wisdom tooth flap in the back of the mouth. A bacterial infection in the gums can also spread to the jawbone and surrounding teeth.
A wisdom tooth extraction can also reduce a patient’s risk of developing temporomandibular disorders (TMD). TMD is a condition that causes the joints in the jaw to become irritated and swollen. This can cause headaches, difficulty opening and closing the mouth, and even jaw dislocation. A wisdom tooth removal can reduce the symptoms of TMD, as well as the pain and discomfort associated with it. The surgery can also make it easier to eat, speak, and chew foods. TMD treatment is typically less expensive and effective if it’s started early, so it’s important to get your wisdom teeth removed when they are young.