Despite their name, wisdom teeth are not a sign of intelligence and they can actually cause a lot of problems. Your dentist may recommend that you have your wisdom teeth removed if they are impacted, infected, or if you don't have enough room in your mouth to allow them to grow in. A wisdom tooth extraction does have a recovery period, so it is important to know what to expect. If you're scheduled to have a wisdom tooth extraction done, use the following tips to help with recovery:
Plan Ahead
When scheduling your wisdom tooth extraction, it is best to select a date where you will have several days off of work or school after the surgery. This will give you time to rest and the swelling should start to subside. If your wisdom tooth extraction is done under general anesthesia, you will need to make arrangements to have someone drive you home.
Prevent Pain
The first few days after the extraction, you may experience some discomfort and pain. Your dentist will most likely give you a prescription for pain medication -- take your medication on time and as directed to help keep pain at bay. In addition to pain medication, you may also need to take antibiotics as a preventative measure against infections. You may also want to use ice packs -- they can help with the discomfort and also reduce swelling.
Get Rest
Your body will need plenty of rest after a wisdom tooth extraction in order to heal properly, It is a good idea to keep your head slightly propped up and elevated while you rest. Take a few days off from exercise and other strenuous activities.
Select Food Carefully
Immediately after surgery, it is best to stick to only consuming liquids. Water, juice, and broths are all good choices. As the bleeding stops, you can add some soft foods, like pudding or mashed potatoes. After several days your mouth should be on its way to fully recovering from the extraction, and you can resume eating your normal diet.
Rinse Your Mouth
During the recovery period, take the time to rinse your mouth with warm salt water regularly. It is especially important to rinse with salt water after consuming food. The salt water mixture can help with the pain and swelling, and can also keep your mouth free of germs that can cause infections in the open extraction sites.
For more info, contact a company like Renovo Endodontic Studio.
