Categories: Health

What to Expect From Wisdom Teeth Removal

October 16, 2021

Getting your wisdom teeth removed might seem like a daunting process, but that extremely common procedure is both safe and effective. Here is a closer look at some signs that you might need to have your wisdom teeth removed, how the operation is carried out, and what you can expect during your recovery.

Reasons for Extraction

There are quite a few reasons why many adults and teenagers have their wisdom teeth removed. In some cases, a dentist will suggest removing the wisdom teeth simply so that the patient doesn’t experience any problems down the line. For other patients, the wisdom teeth must be removed right away because they have become impacted. When a tooth is impacted, it won’t have enough space to fully develop, and that can result in a wide variety of serious health complications.

Getting Ready for Your Procedure

If you have recently noticed that your jaws are tight or sore, then you should immediately schedule an appointment with a local family dentist to have your mouth inspected. At that appointment, the dentist will be able to give you further instructions involving what you can do to prepare for the extraction procedure. In most cases, patients must avoid tobacco products for a few weeks and refrain from eating for at least 12 hours.

The Day of the Operation

The operation itself is fairly straightforward, and it can often be completed in a matter of minutes as long as there aren’t any additional oral health complications that must be addressed. Your dental team will begin the process by administering an anesthetic that completely numbs the mouth. They can then use a variety of tools to carefully extract the wisdom teeth and all of their roots. The final step in the process is placing gauze in the mouth to protect the soft tissue and absorb lingering fluids.

Your Recovery Period

While every case is slightly different, the average recovery lasts between one and two weeks. During that time, you must follow all of your dentist’s aftercare instructions if you want to avoid post-op complications. For a limited period of time, you will most likely be given a prescription for antibiotics as well as painkillers. You are also going to be given very specific details regarding what you can eat while your mouth heals.

Once you have fully recovered, you might notice immediate changes to your bite pattern as well as your overall comfort. This common operation has helped countless patients over the last few decades, and it could be exactly what you need to restore your oral health.

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