The Wisdom of Letting Go
If your dental practitioner has recommended you should have your wisdom teeth removed, it’s probably for good reason. While any kind of surgery can be a bit daunting, it’s obvious that this is a safe and usually straightforward procedure.
Although most people experience some inflammation and pain in the first few days after having their wisdom teeth removed, a quick and full recovery is generally the order of the day.
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Advice from the Tooth Fairy
You might be wondering why these offending molars must go, so here some of the most common reasons:
A tight squeeze
In many instances, there simply isn’t enough room in the mouth for an additional set of teeth and the subsequent over-crowding can be painful and potentially cause additional problems
It’s a trap
Not all wisdom teeth have an easy path, and many become impacted, meaning they get trapped in the jaw bone or gums, causing considerable pain.
Out of line
Wisdom teeth emerge some years after the rest of the adult teeth have already established themselves, they have less room for manoeuvre and often come out misaligned. If they’re angled towards the other teeth or into the mouth, this can cause discomfort and trouble chewing properly.
Shut your mouth
For people who are already battling with dental problems, such as gum disease and cavities, cleaning wisdom teeth effectively is almost impossible. Situated far back in the mouth, any areas of discomfort in front of the wisdom teeth can make brushing them awkward and painful.
Fortunately, getting wisdom teeth removed is an uncomplicated procedure.
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Take that Tooth Out
A wisdom tooth that has grown normally and is fully visible above the gums and jawbone can be removed in the same way as any other tooth. Where the wisdom tooth is only partly erupted, a different method is used. In these instances, the tooth is removed bit by bit to limit disruption to the jawbone.
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No Pain, No Gain?
Fortunately, anaesthesiology is developing in leaps and bounds, meaning there are more options available to those who need to have their wisdom teeth removed. The extraction process takes around 45 minutes and patients are offered one of the following types of anaesthesia:
Local
A local anaesthetic targets the area around the tooth that’s going to be removed. Dental professionals usually give a shot of local anaesthetic into the gum. They may recommend this option when giving you tips for wisdom tooth extraction recovery as you will feel alert again as soon as the operation is over.
Sedation
This type of anaesthetic is injected into the vein. This will help you to relax and even sleep during the operation while a local anaesthetic to the mouth will numb any pain.
General
Depending on the complexity of the extraction and the level of anxiety experienced by the patient, a general anaesthetic is sometimes used. While this is effective for the duration of the operation, it may take you an hour or so to wake up afterwards.
The Road to Recovery
Once the offending molars have gone, you’ll probably feel a little sore and bruised which is why we’ve decided to share these useful tips for wisdom tooth extraction recovery:
1.    Reduce swelling – apply ice to the outside of your mouth for 20 minutes, then remove for 20 minutes. Repeat as required to combat bruising and inflammation.
2.    Minimise bleeding – some bleeding is normal after a wisdom tooth extraction and keeping a gauze pad over the affected area for the first half hour after surgery can prevent bleeding. A moistened tea bag can also be used should the bleeding start up again.
3.    Caring for your mouth – while this may be difficult, limiting the amount you eat, drink and speak during the first couple of hours after the operation can seriously improve your recovery, both in terms of time and discomfort.
If you’re concerned about your wisdom teeth or are experiencing pain or discomfort because of their emergence, contact Aperture Dental for more expert advice and tips for wisdom tooth extraction recovery.
About Wisdom Teeth Removal
Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed. Find out the reasons for removing wisdom teeth...
