Having your
wisdom teeth removed is typically something people do in their teenage years or
even early 20s. This is often when the wisdom teeth will come in, so it makes sense for
removal to happen at that point. However, for some people, their wisdom teeth
come in without any issues at all, and they don’t need removing. Years, even
decades can go by with your wisdom teeth feeling perfectly fine, and then
suddenly things change.
Wisdom
teeth removal as an adult really isn't that uncommon and is often used to deal
with such issues as tooth decay, infections, and on-going pain in the region of
the wisdom tooth. If this is the position you find yourself in and you’re
feeling a little anxious or nervous about having your wisdom teeth removed,
here is what you can expect before, during, and after the removal process.
Preparing for Wisdom Teeth
Removal
For the
majority of people, having your wisdom teeth removed will be relatively
straightforward. Often, all that is required is that the dentist makes a couple
of incisions in order to properly extract the wisdom teeth. The goal is to do
so in a way that causes the least amount of trauma in that area so that
recovery is fast and simple. When it gets complicated is if the tooth is
impacted, as it will then need to be surgically removed.
You will be
given sedation or anaesthesia in order to eliminate any pain during the
process. This means you'll need a little recovery time after the procedure
itself before you can go home. It is also necessary that you have someone with
you that will be able to drive you home after.Check out sites like smilelinedental.com.au for more specific details on wisdom
teeth extraction.
The First 24 Hours
Typically,
the worst part of your recovery will happen within the first 24 hours. There
may be swelling and pain, and you’ll need time for the sedation and anaesthesia
to wear off. You just won't be feeling your best. It is wise to have someone
stay with you for those first 24 hours to help you out. You will likely be
prescribed pain medication that you will want to take as directed.
In the
initial 24 hours after the procedure, do not rinse your mouth as it could
remove the clot. You can make use of ice packs to help alleviate any swelling,
which will also help to lessen pain. You’ll also want to avoid smoking for 48
hours after the procedure.
Longer Term Healing
As for the
entire healing process, in general, it takes to take about two weeks. It's
quite normal to then go in for a follow-up with your dentist to ensure you are
healing well and that there are no issues. In terms of how much downtime you
can expect, you can likely get back to work after a couple of days.
