Wisdom teeth

Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Why It Is Done

A wisdom tooth is extracted to correct an actual problem or to prevent problems that may come up in the future. Some of the problems that can occur when wisdom teeth come in are:

·         Your jaw may not be large enough for them, and they may become impacted and unable to break through your gums.

·         Your wisdom teeth may break partway through your gums, causing a flap of gum tissue to grow over them. Food and germs can get trapped under the flap and cause your gums to become red, swollen, and painful. These are signs of infection.

·         More serious problems can develop from impacted teeth, such as infection, damage to other teeth and bone, or a cyst.

·         One or more of your wisdom teeth may come in at an awkward angle, with the top of the tooth facing forward, backward, or to either side.

What To Expect After Surgery

In most cases, the recovery period lasts only a few days. Take painkillers as prescribed by your dentist or oral surgeon. The following tips will help speed your recovery.

·         Bite gently on the gauze pad periodically, and change pads as they become soaked with blood. Call your dentist or oral surgeon 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.

·         Try using an ice pack on the outside of your cheek. Apply for 15 to 20 minutes at a time for the first 24 hours. You can use moist heat—such as a face cloth soaked in warm water and wrung out—for the following 2 or 3 days.

·         Relax after surgery. Physical activity may increase bleeding.

Be very careful

·         Eat soft foods, such as gelatin, pudding, or a thin soup. Gradually add solid foods to your diet as healing progresses.

·         Do not use a straw for the first few days. Sucking on a straw can loosen the blood clot and delay healing.

·         After 24 hours, 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 (5 g) of salt in a medium-sized glass ( 8 fl oz (250 mL)) of warm water. Do not rinse hard. This can loosen the blood clot and delay healing.

·         Do not smoke for at least 24 hours after your surgery. The sucking motion can loosen the clot and delay healing. Also, smoking decreases the blood supply and can bring germs and contaminants to the surgery area.

·         Avoid rubbing the area with your tongue or touching it with your fingers.

·         Continue to brush your teeth and tongue carefully.

Your dentist will remove the stitches after a few days, if needed.

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