If you’re soon going to have impacted wisdom teeth removed, then the following information can assist you in making the healing process go more smoothly with respect to your aftercare.
Probably one of the most important considerations of your treatment will entail reducing the level of pain after surgery. You may believe you won’t be suffering too much distress after surgery as the anesthetic hasn’t had time to fully wear off. However, it’s of utmost importance you take your pain medicine as soon as you can before the effects of the anesthetic begin to subside. Usually a high dose of Motrin can ease the pain that occurs after an extraction and can help immensely in speeding up your overall recovery. If your dentist prescribes a stronger medication and it causes you to feel too woozy to function, then it’s best you contact him to see if you can switch to a different medicine.
Besides pain, often infection is a concern. However, as long as you follow the guidelines for recovery this type of problem can be avoided.
During recovery then, it’s best to eat soft foods or soup as chewing can cause the jaws to ache and hinder the healing process. In addition, swelling after an extraction generally lasts up to 48 hours. Apply a damp and warm towel to the area of the extraction 30 minutes on and off as needed.
It’s also important to keep the site of the extraction clean as this will accelerate the healing process. Therefore, rinse the site by using warm salt water after each meal. Do not use mouthwash as this can irritate the socket. If you require sutures, in many instances, the dentist will use the kind that will dissolve in a short period of time. However, if your dentist must remove your stitches this can be done easily and with very little pain if any.
One of the concerns of extraction is the complication of dry sockets that can result after surgery. Normally, this condition occurs when a blood clot, which is needed for healing, did not form in the socket. Therefore, the symptom associated with a dry socket is usually a throbbing pain several days following surgery. If this happens, consult your dentist immediately for treatment. Typically, a medicinal dressing will be placed in the area and replaced once a day until the pain recedes.
In some cases, especially difficult surgeries, fragmentary pieces of sequestra (dead bone) may appear at the site of the extraction. If you can’t remove the fragments yourself, you’ll have to contact your dentist for help in this regard.
The overall healing process after this type of extraction typically takes, on the outside, about two weeks. In the interim, the socket heals gradually and the bone will grow and fill in the hole. As long as you’re fully aware of what you’re in for and what to do should complications arise, your aftercare should be successful if you follow your dentist’s guidelines.
Therefore, rest, take your medicine as scheduled, rinse your mouth with salt water, sparingly chew your foods and apply a warm, damp compress so you can recover without too much difficulty. By keeping the aforesaid information in mind before surgery, you’ll be able to heal satisfactorily.
