The Preparation
Consulting your dentist, getting all the essential information and the estimation of the wisdom teeth removal price is the first step to feel more comfortable with the whole process. Your dentist will plan ahead all the details of this regularly performed procedure nowadays.
It is of the utmost importance to provide all the specifics asked, like what medication you take, any allergies or other health issues you may suffer from. Your family members or friends should be informed about your surgery too, and one or two of them appointed in a case of emergency.
If you are employed or going to school, informing your employer or school director should be well-considered, as the healing process may take from a few days and up to a week or two.
The Surgery
Your dentist together with the anaesthesiologist decides whether a local or general anaesthesia is to be received. Advancing with local anaesthesia only by injecting an anaesthetic and breathing-in a laughing gas, makes you feel dizzy and your jaw numb, but you will remain conscious. Applying general anaesthesia will put you into a relaxing deep sleep. The whole wisdom teeth removal process is quite simple, but some incisions may be required to speed up the teeth removal. Afterward, stitches could be unavoidable in the case your gums are bleeding. Under normal circumstances, the wisdom teeth removal surgery should take no longer than an hour.
The Healing Process
Waking up from the anaesthesia and being in a position to drive home may take a few hours, but most probably you will be released from the surgeon’s office on the same day. You will be given all the fundamental information about the home self-care of your mouth and teeth.
Proceed with Care
The first afternoon and night after the surgery should be taken easy. No stress, no physical activity, no lifting or pulling of heavy items, to avoid breaking the stitches.
The Food
Especially the very first days you will not be able to open fully your mouth and to move your jaw. Liquid or blended food and lukewarm sugar-free drinks are to be eaten and drunk.
The Protection
Not to put yourself into a situation of developing a dry socket, a very painful condition, in which your nerves and bone would be exposed, it is strongly advised not to smoke, spit, or drink through a straw, or to eat hard pieces of food immediately after the surgery.
The Toothbrush
Take care of your oral hygiene from the very first night of getting wisdom teeth removed by gently brushing all of your teeth. This will prevent any mouth bacteria overgrowth, and limit the possibility of inflammation or infection.
The Emergency
Call your doctor or visit the emergency room immediately, if your gums do not stop bleeding even while pressing gauze on the spot, you experience extreme discomfort, pressure or pain in the operated spot, you have developed a fever, your swelling is increasing, and you cannot swallow or breathe correctly.