What Can Adults Expect during Wisdom Teeth Removal

What Can Adults Expect during Wisdom Teeth Removal

Dec 01, 2021

Tooth extractions during adulthood are standard and performed for various reasons. Adults between 17 and 25 develop their third set of molars, the wisdom teeth, and when the dentist detects them on x-rays, they suggest removal of wisdom teeth for the following reasons:

  • Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom teeth erupt in the posterior region of the mouth and may not usually emerge. They often remain trapped in the jawbone or gums, causing pain and discomfort.
  • Wisdom Teeth Emerging at Wrong Angles: When wisdom teeth erupt at wrong Angles, they push against your other teeth.
  • Your Mouth Doesn’t Have Space to Accommodate Them: the eruption of wisdom teeth happens at a time when your mouth doesn’t have sufficient space to accommodate them.
  • Dental Issues: You encounter challenges brushing and flossing your wisdom teeth, making you prone to dental issues like cavities or gum disease.

Wisdom Teeth: Why Take Them Out?

The dentist near you recommends wisdom teeth extractions for one or more of the reasons mentioned above. Suppose you cannot clean your wisdom teeth. In that case, you invite a host of undesirable infections in your mouth requiring numerous dental visits or even costly treatments for dental issues bothering you. The final set of molars also create crowding making you a candidate for orthodontic treatments if the wisdom teeth remain in your mouth. Instead of inviting unnecessary problems, you help yourself by adhering to the dentist’s advice to get them removed as soon as possible.

Dos and Don’ts of the Wisdom Teeth Extraction Procedure

Before wisdom teeth removal, you have a consultation with wisdom teeth extractions Rancho Santa Margarita to evaluate the position of the teeth and how many teeth you want to have removed. During the consultation, provide the specialist with your entire health history and a list of medications or drugs you take regularly. Do not hesitate to ask questions about the procedure, including the type of anesthesia you will receive.

Depending on the type of anesthesia, you will receive arrange for a ride back home and plan for time off work or school to get plenty of rest after wisdom teeth extractions. Please fill up your pantry with soft foods to nourish yourself after the removal because you will find it challenging to eat crunchy and hard foods.

If you are a smoker, plan on staying away from the habit for a few days after wisdom teeth removal. The chemicals in tobacco can hinder your recovery. Drinking alcohol after the extraction is also prohibited. Therefore plan on the dos and don’ts before you reach wisdom teeth extractions near you to complete the removal process.

The Surgical Process for Wisdom Teeth Removal

Before starting the wisdom teeth removal process, you receive local, intravenous, or general anesthesia, depending on your level of dental anxiety. Local anesthesia keeps you conscious during the surgery. However, if you receive intravenous or general anesthesia, you will likely sleep during the entire process.

The professional performing wisdom teeth extractions will cut your gums or bone to gain access to the wisdom teeth. They may even have the section the tooth in pieces for easy removal. After the surgical process, the wound is sutured to ensure it heals quickly. The sutures dissolve in your mouth, making their removal unnecessary. The professional places gauze in your mouth to soak blood.

What Happens after Wisdom Teeth Removal?

As the removal merely requires 45 minutes, you can return home soon after the procedure if you received local anesthesia. However, if general or intravenous anesthesia is provided, you may have to remain in the clinic until you recover entirely. Therefore, you also need help getting back home after the surgery.

Wisdom teeth removal creates some discomfort in your mouth after the anesthesia wears off. You will likely have swelling on your cheeks for at least three days. You require at least a few weeks to heal entirely from the surgical procedure. If you intend to recover quickly, you must follow your dentist’s instructions diligently by using the following tips:

  • Ice packs on your cheeks help reduce swelling, but you must limit their use to 20 minutes intervals.
  • You can gently open and close your mouth for some exercise.
  • You must have soft foods that don’t require chewing and drink plenty of fluids.
  • Take any medications recommended by the doctor to ease pain and swelling.
  • Do not use a straw for drinking because the sucking action can loosen the blood clots.
  • Don’t rinse your mouth vigorously for fear of dislodging the blood clot.
  • Do not try to have crunchy and hard foods that might scratch the wounds.
  • Do not get into any strenuous activity for fear of dislodging the blood clot.

As you follow your dentist’s instructions and take care not to hinder your healing process, you can recover within a few weeks from the wisdom teeth removal surgery.

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