Wisdom teeth surgery
At Ultimate Smile we can remove (extract) your wisdom teeth. Prior to surgery we may have you take antibiotics to help heal the infection. Before removing a wisdom tooth we will be using a local anesthetic to numb the area where the teeth will be removed. Sedation is also available during the surgery. If sedation is to be performed during the procedure we recommend that you don’t eat or drink after midnight on the night before surgery. After the teeth are removed, you may need sutures (stitches) Some stitches dissolve over time and some have to be removed after a few days. We will advise you as to which type of stitches we are going to use.
What To Expect After Surgery
In most cases, the recovery period lasts only a few days. We will prescribe painkillers as to get you through the recovery period. Here are some tips that will help speed your recovery. Bite gently on the gauze pad periodically, and change pads. Call our office if you still have bleeding 24 hours after your surgery. While your mouth is numb, be careful not to bite the inside of your cheek or lip, or your tongue. Do not lie flat. This may prolong bleeding. Prop up your head with pillows. Use an ice pack on the outside of your cheek where the surgery was performed by applying the pack for 15 to 20 minutes at a time for the first 24 hours. Use moist heat-such as a washcloth soaked in warm water and wrung out-for the following 2 or 3 days. Relax after surgery. Do not lift or do excessive physical activity as that may increase bleeding. Eat soft foods, such as gelatin, pudding, and soup and gradually add solid foods to your diet as you are healing. Do not use a straw for the first few days. Sucking on a straw can damage and all together disrupt the blood clot and delay healing. After the first day, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water several times a day to reduce swelling and relieve pain. You can make your own salt water by mixing 1 tsp of salt in a medium-sized glass -8 fl oz of warm water or use the Chlorehexedine rinse given at the surgical appointment . Do not smoke for at least 24 hours after your surgery. The sucking motion can loosen the clot and delay healing. Smoking decreases the blood supply and can bring germs and contaminants to the surgery area. Continue to brush your teeth and tongue carefully avoiding brushing the areas where the extractions were performed.
Reasons for Wisdom teeth extractions
A wisdom tooth is extracted to correct an actual problem or to prevent problems that may arise in the future. Here are some of the problems that can occur with wisdom teeth: Your jaw may not be large enough to include the wisdom teeth, and they may become impacted and unable to break through your gums. Your wisdom teeth may break partway through the gums, causing inflammation of the tissue over them. Food and germs can get trapped under the flap and cause your gums to become red, swollen, and painful which are a sign of infection. Problems can develop from impacted teeth, such as infection, damage to other teeth and bone, or a cyst. Wisdom teeth may come in at a wrong angle and my cause damage to the adjacent teeth.
To schedule your wisdom teeth extraction consultation, please contact Ultimate Smile today. Located in Beaverton, we welcome patients from Aloha and all surrounding Oregon communities.
