Gearing up for a wisdom teeth removal procedure in Houston? There are a few things you should know to prepare for the procedure. Knowledge of what’s to come can help allay fears and make for a smoother procedure overall.
Discussing Options
First off, you should know how many wisdom teeth you’re removing. Is it just one pesky tooth, or should all of them come out?
There are reasons for both scenarios. Some people have just one wisdom tooth that’s causing a problem with an adjacent tooth, and there are others whose mouth is too small to accommodate all of the late blooming teeth.
If your Houston dentist recommends getting wisdom teeth removal, it’s wise to follow through, as it can prevent a lot of potential problems.
Day Of Surgery
Before your surgery takes place, your dentist may have recommended taking some form of oral sedation before arriving at the dentist’s office. This is to help speed up the sedation to surgery time, making your appointment quicker.
It’s best if someone drives you to your appointment, as sedation dentistry can cause drowsiness.
Once you’re at the dental office in the Tanglewood area, you’ll receive a local anesthetic to reduce discomfort at the surgery site.
You’ll also continue to get sedation dentistry to reduce overall discomfort and help keep you calm.
In some circumstances, general anesthesia may be necessary to put you under entirely. This is accomplished using a gas or IV anesthetic in a higher dose than is used for sedation.
Whether you’re awake or unconscious, the sedation is constantly monitored and adjusted to maintain the right balance.
After Surgery
After surgery, the effects of sedation will still be affecting you, so you may not feel much discomfort, though you could still be groggy.
Some bleeding is normal and can be curbed by gently but firmly biting down on a piece of gauze or a moist tea bag. The tannic acid in tea constricts blood vessels to slow bleeding.
Pain will be present. Unfortunately, it is an unavoidable effect of having your wisdom teeth removed. Your dentist may prescribe some pain medications to reduce discomfort in the coming days.
Swelling usually peaks within two to three days, and can be managed with ice packs. Bruises can take several more days to disappear.
Rest as much as possible right after your surgery and preferably the following day. Avoid strenuous activities like exercising for at least a few days.
Drink a lot of water and eat soft foods while your gums heal. Keep your teeth and gums clean, but avoid brushing for the first 24 hours after surgery.
Don’t smoke for at least 72 hours after surgery if you do smoke. If you using chewing tobacco, don’t use any for at least a week. Tobacco can negatively affect the gums and prolong healing, as well as cause other issues.
If you have stitches, they may either dissolve after a certain length of time or they may need to be removed by the dentist. Talk to your dentist about removing them and schedule an appointment if necessary.
