Having your wisdom teeth removed can be a scary idea – nobody likes the idea of surgery, let alone in your mouth! Luckily, at The Center for Oral Surgery of Las Vegas, we take your concerns very seriously and your comfort is of the utmost importance to us. There are several things to be aware of before the removal of your wisdom teeth and adequate knowledge and preparation are key to ensuring a positive experience. Read on to learn more about the precautions you can take to help prepare for your wisdom teeth removal
Wisdom teeth are a set of molars that are the last adult teeth to erupt within the mouth. Most people have two sets at the back of the mouth, one at the top and one at the bottom. The original purpose of wisdom teeth was to help chew through rough or coarse foods such as roots and nuts – something we have long evolved out of need.
While not everyone needs their wisdom teeth removed, they are often removed as a safety precaution to prevent future problems. Among other reasons, wisdom teeth can sometimes become impacted (stuck) and can cause damage to neighboring teeth if they push up against one another.
If it is determined removal is the best course of action, there are some precautions you should take before your surgery to ensure the best experience possible. Your oral surgeon will meet with you and discuss in more detail how to prepare and what to expect and can answer any lingering questions you may have.
Before your surgery date, be sure to make arrangements for children, pets, and anything else needing immediate care or attention for the day of your surgery. Make sure to give yourself adequate time to heal when scheduling time off work or school and prepare a comfortable resting area ahead of time and make sure the necessities are within easy reach. It is also a good idea to ensure you have soft foods that don’t require chewing to eat for the next couple of days. Most importantly, make sure you have reliable transportation to and from your appointment since driving afterward will not be an option.
In most cases, wisdom teeth removal takes around an hour. Since patients are under anesthesia, the surgery itself will not be painful. Once the surgeon has confirmed the anesthesia is doing its job, they will begin the removal process and once complete, will stitch the removal sites and pack the area with gauze to soak up the remaining blood. Once this has all been completed, your surgical team will begin your recovery process.
Following oral surgery, it’s common to feel “out of it” or groggy for most of the day. Pain and some swelling should be expected, as well as some lingering blood. It’s important to give yourself time to rest and recover for the remainder of the day, so make sure to take it easy and get some sleep! Your Las Vegas wisdom teeth surgeon will give you detailed instructions on what you can and can’t do, for how long, and how to properly care for your healing incisions.
Your surgeon will likely prescribe you some medication before you leave. Be sure to take any antibiotics you may be given to prevent painful infections from occurring, and carefully follow the instructions given with any pain medications. Within a few days, you should be feeling much better and able to begin resuming normal activity.
Although we know it can be scary, wisdom teeth removal is a safe, common procedure that can provide major benefits in the long run. If you have questions about wisdom teeth removal, or other oral surgery services such as dental implants in Las Vegas, The Center for Oral Surgery of Las Vegas is here to help. If you’re ready to get started on your journey to a healthier smile, contact us today to schedule your appointment. We look forward to hearing from you!