After Wisdom Teeth extraction the hard part is over, and you simply need to follow a dentist recommended recovery plan to protect yourself from further complications. Millions of people have their wisdom teeth removed every year, the recovery process is very standardized and controllable. Clean your mouth, avoid sucking through straw or crunchy foods, and do not smoke. We will cover some deeper rules to follow and the reasons behind them.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Wisdom Tooth Extraction is a simple outpatient procedure that frequently has little to no complications. You see your dentist for an examination, x ray, and cleaning. If they elect to extract the wisdom teeth you will schedule a procedure date. Afterwards, you will attend your procedure. The general recommendation is to have another person drive you home, although this is not always necessary. The dentist will make small incisions and extract the third molars, or wisdom teeth, rom the roots. This exposes a root socket that must be protected during recovery to avoid complications.
Recovering After Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Monitor the area for changes in color, texture, sensation, and smells. Keep the area clean and watch any dressing around the wounds. Avoid smoking or sucking through straws to prevent a complication with the socket. Be careful and conscious with what you eat, opting to avoid crunchy, spicy, or sharp foods. Select foods like oatmeal, pudding, jello, or warm soup.
Complications After Wisdom Teeth Extraction
There are a number of potentially serious complications to be aware of after wisdom teeth extraction. Most of them involve the gums and existing tooth structures. The gums are sensitive and vulnerable after the extraction.
- Dry Socket- Dry Socket is a potentially serious complication that can lead to extreme pain, infection, and tooth loss. The socket that previously held your wisdom tooth is slice open, and it requires recovery time to heal. If you do not clean and monitor the area, the blood clot that heals the socket can move or fall apart. This leaves an open socket, which can then be occupied by bacteria, food, or infection. Once the infection festers within the socket, you have dry socket. Symptoms include pain, foul smells, tooth loss, gum infection, and periodontal disease.
- Gum Infection- The gums throughout your mouth are living tissue. If you do not care for them they can cause you long term problems. Clean your mouth and gums fastidiously, but do not scrub or irritate the area. If bacteria enters your gum line it will infect you and assault your gum tissue. This leads to tooth loss, bleeding, discharge, gum disease, and pain.
- Bleeding- Usually blood is natural in this process. The blood clotting is what allows your wound to heal. If the blood clot fails or you keep bleeding for a long time, contact your dentist. If hours after the surgery you begin bleeding profusely, follow up with them as well, something may have interrupted the clotting process.
If you follow your doctor’s advice and care for the area well, none of these complications should affect your recovery. Take care and maintain all of your follow up appointments with your dental care team.