Wisdom Tooth Removal – Common Complications
Having to remove your wisdom teeth is a fairly common procedure. However, there are some complications to keep in mind. This article will discuss some of the potential issues and the steps to take to prevent them.
Procedure
During the procedure for wisdom tooth removal, an oral surgeon removes the gum tissue surrounding the wisdom teeth to gain access to the impacted tooth. This may involve the use of local anesthesia or a general anesthetic. Depending on the level of impaction, the dentist may also need to perform dental X-rays.
The procedure for wisdom tooth removal usually lasts about 45 minutes. After the extraction, the patient may be sent home or have a family member drive them to the hospital. The amount of time it takes to heal depends on the person’s general health and the complexity of the surgery.
It is important to inform your dental care provider of any medications you are taking. Some medicines, such as aspirin, may affect the healing process. During recovery, it is important to refrain from strenuous activity.
The extraction site should be kept clean. Patients will be provided with tools to keep the area clean. It is advisable not to rinse or bite the surgical site until the blood clot has formed. This will prevent any infection.
After the extraction, you may have mild discomfort. This can be relieved by cold foods or painkillers. In the first three days, you should avoid exerting yourself. Physical rest is also helpful in speeding up the healing process.
During the recovery period, you should avoid any type of tobacco product. It is also important to eat a healthy diet. You should be able to resume normal activities once you are advised by your dentist.
For the first few days, you will have a slight ache and a bad taste in your mouth. You should stop bleeding quickly. You can also reduce swelling by applying ice packs to the area.
Complications
Having your wisdom teeth removed can be a scary prospect. However, the risks are usually very small. Most people are comfortable in three to four days, but it can take a couple of weeks to heal.
After the procedure, it’s important to follow your oral surgeon’s instructions carefully. Brush your teeth regularly, rinse with warm salt water at least 6-8 times a day, and see your dentist as soon as you notice any signs of infection. In most cases, antibiotics are not needed, but if you continue to have symptoms, you may need to get antibiotics.
Depending on the surgery, you may need to take pain medication. You can use Tylenol with codeine or ibuprofen, or your oral surgeon may prescribe stronger medications. If you need to take any pain medication, you should taper off the medication as soon as possible.
After the wisdom tooth is removed, it may be necessary to get stitches. The stitches will be dissolved in seven to ten days. Your oral surgeon will provide detailed postoperative instructions.
If you develop an infection after your surgery, you will need to get antibiotics. If you are experiencing persistent pain, or if you are having difficulty opening your mouth, see your dentist as soon as possible. The signs of an infection include fever, swelling, and pus draining from the extraction site.
A dry socket is another common complication. This occurs when the blood clot in the extraction socket breaks off. This can delay healing, and the resulting exposed bone can cause complications.
During your recovery period, you will have bruising. Bruising may go away on its own after a few days. If you experience a lot of bruising, you should see your dentist.
Recovery
Getting a wisdom tooth removed is often a quick process. However, it may take some time for the swelling and bruising to subside. To ensure that your mouth heals quickly, you need to follow instructions for at-home care.
To help relieve your pain and swelling, you should drink plenty of fluids. You should also avoid spicy and crunchy foods for at least a few days. This will prevent wounds from being damaged and help the healing process.
The oral surgeon should give you instructions on how to care for your mouth after the surgery. Your mouth may be very sore and you should take medications to reduce your discomfort.
You should rinse your mouth five times a day with warm salt water. The salt can help disinfect your mouth and remove food debris that may have gotten stuck in your open socket. You should avoid brushing your teeth or gums near the extraction site for at least two days.
Your dentist may recommend additional steps to help your recovery. These may include soaking your mouth in a saline solution or using a topical pain reliever such as clove oil.
You should avoid strenuous activities for at least a week after your surgery. Your dentist may prescribe prescription pain medication to help you control the pain.
During the first 24 to 48 hours after the surgery, you should eat soft and easy-to-chew foods. You can also eat firmer foods after a few days.
During the first few days after your surgery, you should avoid smoking and drinking through a straw. These actions can dislodge blood clots in your socket, which can cause severe pain and interfere with the healing process.
X-rays required
X-rays are essential to successful wisdom tooth removal. They are used to determine how the teeth are positioned and to assess the condition of the tissue. They are also used to document any treatment required.
Panoramic X-rays are ideal for examining a patient’s jaw. They allow the dentist to see the entire mouth, including the roots and adjacent teeth. This helps to guide the dental team during the surgery. It also gives the surgeon a clearer view of the wisdom teeth.
Bitewing X-rays are another method of monitoring a patient’s teeth. They can reveal a variety of issues, from cavities to tooth decay. They also help plan the extraction of wisdom teeth.
X-rays can show a wide range of details, from abscesses along the root to a cyst on the crown of the tooth. In some cases, an X-ray can reveal numbness in the nerve. A CBCT scan is a 3D x-ray that provides added detail.
It is important to have a good understanding of the types of X-rays that are available. Some of the less obvious ones are the panoramic x-ray, the bitewing x-ray, and the periapical x-ray. Each one is effective in its own way.
It is recommended that patients receive an oral examination and a panoramic x-ray before undergoing any type of surgery. This is to determine if the wisdom teeth are erupting properly and if they are causing problems. Oftentimes, they will need to be extracted.
X-rays are also valuable tools for planning the safest and most effective way to remove the tooth. They can provide a lot of valuable information, and they can be used to make sure that the patient is not undergoing any unnecessary procedures.
Pain management
Managing pain after wisdom tooth removal is important for a number of reasons. It helps patients recover faster and avoid infection. However, it is also important to understand that opioid-based pain relievers can be dangerous. The medications that are most effective are acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
The simplest way to manage pain after wisdom teeth removal is to take pain medications as directed by your doctor. These can be either over-the-counter or prescription medicines. Your dentist may recommend that you take an opioid-based medicine such as codeine or hydromorphone. But be aware that these drugs are extremely strong and have a high risk of abuse and addiction.
Other medicines that are less harmful include ibuprofen and naproxen. These can also help reduce inflammation and swelling. Using an ice pack can also help. You can place a cold pack over the extraction site for up to 20 minutes. You can also hold the ice pack against your jaw for up to 15 minutes. You should remove the ice pack after twenty minutes.
You should not brush the area for at least 24 hours. Alternatively, you can use mouthwash instead. This can be very helpful, but make sure to rinse your mouth with salt water. This can reduce bacteria and prevent infection.
If you have cracked lips, you can use Vaseline to keep the area moisturized. You can also rinse your mouth with warm water to ease the pain.
Pain and swelling after wisdom tooth removal can be minimized by applying an ice pack to the site. If you have swelling that lasts more than a day, you should visit your oral surgeon.
You can also take ibuprofen as prescribed. Your doctor may advise that you take the medication two to four times a day. You can also take acetaminophen to help with inflammation and decrease the perception of pain.
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Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
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