If you experience pain and infection at the sign of your wisdom teeth, chances are, you may need to have it removed. Either a dentist or an oral surgeon takes care of wisdom teeth removal. The dentist uses anesthesia before the extraction begins and ensures that the procedure is barely felt. After the procedure, the dentist may possibly prescribe you with antibiotics to prevent possible infection after the extraction. The antibiotics also help to hasten the healing of the wound in the extraction site.
These are some of the reasons why you may need wisdom teeth removal:
- Impacted tooth
- Pain and infection
- Gum disease
- Damage to nearby tooth or bone.
Prior to the procedure, you may be given some reminders to ensure your safety.
These are:
- Nothing by mouth starting at midnight
- Ask to be accompanied by someone who can drive you home
- Ready any over the counter medications for possible post-procedure discomfort
- Avoid ibuprofen or acetaminophen
After the extraction, the dentist will provide you after extraction care which includes:
- Avoid smoking
- No drinking through a straw
- Do not brush your teeth or rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours
- Rest and return only to your normal routine after 48 hours.
- Eat only soft and soupy food for the first 48 hours
Below are some rare, but possible scenarios which may happen after wisdom teeth extraction. In case this happens, you have to go back to your dentist for a re-check.
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Continuous bleeding
- Fever
- Pain that does not stop despite taking medication
- When pus is present in the empty socket
- A bad taste in your mouth that remains after rinsing with warm salt water
