Having learnt about Wisdom Tooth or teeth and the basic Wisdom teeth Management, let’s have a detailed understanding about the care after the tooth extraction.
Wisdom teeth emerge behind the molars in the back of the mouth. As they emerge, most of the Wisdom teeth are always misaligned, crooked, and sideways. They will push on other teeth as they grow in, causing overcrowding and misalignment issues for those teeth as well.
When do wisdom teeth appear?
Wisdom teeth normally emerge between the ages of 17 and 21.
What are the Symptoms if I should have a Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
When an individual moves towards the latter years of teenage, he or she should look out for apparent signs of wisdom tooth growth. Some of the symptoms are
- A mild discomfort is experienced, which can gradually increase over time as the wisdom teeth continue to grow misaligned or sideways, pushing gums and crowding of adjacent teeth
- When an impacted wisdom tooth becomes infected, it damages other teeth or causes other dental issues, you can see any of the following signs and symptoms:
- Foul breath
- A poor taste when chewing food
- Redness, and swelling
- Opening your mouth is a difficult task
- Fever and headaches
- When wisdom teeth erupt through the gums’ surface, bacteria may enter through the open tissue and cause infection
These are some indicative issues of wisdom tooth growth and could vary for different individuals. If the problem continues, you should seek dental help. A dentist or an oral surgeon will prescribe antibiotics and may clean the teeth, but if the pain continues teeth may need to be removed.
What to Expect During the Surgery?
Depending on the difficulty of the wisdom tooth extraction and your comfort level, your dentist or oral surgeon can use one of three types of anesthesia.
The following are some possibilities:
- Local anesthesia is injected near the molar by your dentist or oral surgeon. Your dentist or surgeon would most likely apply a numbing gel to your gums before giving the injection. During the tooth extraction, you are conscious. While there will be some pressure and movement, but there should be no discomfort.
- Conscious sedation is administered with an aim to produce a degree of sedation without loss of consciousness, in order to perform a desired function without any hindrance. This technique is being widely followed by oral surgeon and paediatric dentists, who utilize the method on uncooperative and anxious patients during any treatment. Local anesthesia is still injected to perform painless treatment.
- General anesthesia can be given to you in special cases. You can have an IV line in your arm and then you lose your consciousness. Your oral surgeon will closely track your breathing, temperature, fluids, and blood pressure. You’re not going to feel any pain.
Dentist’s instructions after the procedure / After-care for Wisdom Tooth Extraction
The recovery time after removal of the wisdom teeth may take several days, and you might feel pain for a week or more. The gauze pad is applied to the affected area by the dentist. Keep the gauze on for 45 minutes or until the pad is fully saturated with blood.
You will be advised by your dentist to avoid brushing, spitting for 24 hours, to avoid infection rinse your mouth daily with saltwater. While your teeth recover, Solid foods, alcohol, caffeine, soda, or hot beverages should be avoided for the first few days after wisdom teeth removal. Use ice packs, eat soft foods, and gargle with salt water to keep your mouth clean.
Call your oral surgeon right away if you experience any odd signs, such as:
- Lot of bleeding
- Fever
- Swallowing or breathing problems
- Pressure that is not relieved by prescription medications
- A poor taste in your mouth that won’t go away even after rinsing with saltwater
- pus discharge
- Numbness
- Swelling that gets worse after a couple of days
Read our general instructions for our patients who have undergone a wisdom tooth extraction here.
The extraction or management of wisdom tooth is not necessarily a painful procedure if it is tended to at an early stage. Therefore it is important to visit the dentist regularly for preventive check-ups. Our dentists at Credence, are a team of well-experienced Doctors and would ensure utmost care for your dental needs. To Know more about wisdom tooth treatment, visit our dentist’s team at Credence Dental to discuss treatment plan and safety.
Call us at +91-9141160212 to book an appointment with our Wisdom Tooth Specialist.
