Our wisdom teeth usually come between the ages of 17 and 25 and are the last adult teeth to emerge. While it’s possible for your wisdom teeth to erupt normally or not to develop them at all, more often than not, there isn’t enough room in the mouth for them to grow. If left alone, the impacted wisdom tooth can result in problems such as:
- Pain
- Infection or gum disease
- Damage to nearby teeth
If you have impacted wisdom teeth, your dentist will likely recommend surgery to remove them and prevent future complications. Wisdom teeth removal is a very common procedure, and most people recover in three to four days. However, the recovery period can take up to about a week if your wisdom tooth was in a particularly awkward angle.
Wisdom teeth removal surgery is an out-patient procedure that usually takes around 45 minutes. If you only received a local anesthetic during the surgery, you’ll be awake during the process but won’t feel any pain. However, if you were given general anesthesia, you’ll wake up in the recovery room and may feel some pain and swelling as you slowly regain feeling in your mouth. You’ll also likely have some blood in your mouth. An ice pack will help reduce swelling, and you can take any pain medication as advised by your dentist.
To ensure a smooth recovery, you should avoid activities that can dislodge the blood clot formed over the wound. For example:
- You may be tempted to spit out the blood in your mouth after surgery. Try to avoid excessive spitting and instead, replace the gauze over the wound as instructed.
- Try to rest as much as possible and avoid any strenuous activity.
- Eat only soft foods for the first 24 hours and avoid hard, chewy or spicy foods that might irritate the wound.
- Drink lots of water and avoid alcoholic, caffeinated, carbonated or hot drinks for the first 24 hours. Avoid drinking out of a straw for at least a week, as the sucking action can easily dislodge the clot!
- Rinse or use prescribed mouthwash to clean your mouth for the first day. Remember to be gentle around the wound and rinse your mouth with saltwater for a week.
Some swelling, pain and bleeding are normal after surgery, and all symptoms should be gone within a week. However, you should seek help from your dentist if you’re experiencing:
- Trouble swallowing or breathing
- Fever
- Swelling and pain that has not subsided
- Numbness
These can be signs of an infection or a serious complication that needs immediate attention.
Are you looking for a trusted dental clinic in Newmarket for your wisdom teeth removal? Our team of dental professionals at Dentistry in Newmarket is here to help you smile healthily again. We are always welcoming new patients, so contact our dental team at Dentistry in Newmarket to book an appointment today!
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