There are several reasons why your dentist may recommend you get your wisdom teeth removed. They may be impacted, meaning they may not be coming in normally. Or they could be coming in at the wrong angle so they press against your teeth. Another reason is cavities or gum disease, caused by difficulty reaching your wisdom teeth effectively with your toothbrush or floss. Or your mouth might not be big enough to accommodate an extra set of molars. Whatever the reason, if you’re scheduled to get your wisdom teeth out soon, here’s what you can expect.
Types of Sedation
During the procedure, you will either be sedated with laughing gas or anesthesia. If you have laughing gas, you won’t feel pain but you will be able to see and hear everything. If you undergo anesthesia, you’ll receive antibiotics to take before surgery, then you’ll be completely asleep during the procedure. Afterwards, you’ll feel a little sleepy for a few hours.
Level of Discomfort
You will experience pain after wisdom teeth removal. Your surgeon may prescribe hydrocodone, oxycodone or Percocet for the pain. But not all patients have to take narcotic. Ibuprofen and Tylenol can also be combined to provide alleviate pain.
Swelling and Bleeding
Your face will likely be puffy following surgery, and the swelling often gets worse before it gets better – with most swelling be at its highest 48 to 72 hours after the procedure. You may have sporadic bleeding for the first few days, as well, which can be treated with gauze.
A Soft Foods Diet
For the first 24 hours after wisdom teeth removal, you’ll be on a diet of soft foods like yogurt, pudding, smoothies and even ice cream. During this time it’s also important to not drink through a straw, as the suction can loosen blood clots and lead to dry socket. After the first day, limit your diet to foods like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs and the like.
Returning to Work
While it’s up to the individual, it’s common for people to schedule their wisdom teeth surgery for Thursday or Friday in order to be back to work by Monday. When you do return to your normal activities, abstain from heavy lifting or strenuous workouts for a couple of weeks.
If you are interested in learning more about wisdom teeth removal, we welcome the opportunity to meet with you. To schedule an appointment, please contact Scott T. LeSueur, DDS & Charles A Dodaro, DDS online or by calling our Mesa office at (480) 834-6991 today. We serve Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and all surrounding Arizona communities.