Do you have a wisdom tooth that needs to go? If one or more of your wisdom teeth are decayed, then you will need to have dental surgery to remove them. If you have never been through dental surgery or if you are not a fan of the dentist, then you may be a bit apprehensive about getting your wisdom tooth out. Often anxiety is caused by a lack of knowledge, especially about how you will feel after the surgery. Here are some things you should know about recovery.
What to Expect Immediately After Surgery
Immediately after the surgery, you will still feel numbness in your jaw. This will wear off after a few hours. You can expect to have some pain and swelling, and your dentist will give you antibiotics and pain medication. You will probably be prescribed painkillers with acetaminophen and codeine. These are usually the safest as they do not thin the blood which can lead to more bleeding. You can use ice packs to help pull down any swelling you may experience.
Activities to Avoid
Your doctor will usually tell you before surgery to get someone to drive you home. You can resume most of your normal daily activities the following day. However, you should not do strenuous exercises. Try not to spit too much on the first and second day after surgery since this makes it easy to dislodge the stitches that have been used to close the wound. Spitting may also remove the blood clot that has formed over the wound.
Problems You Should Be Alert To
Most surgeries go extremely well, but rarely there are complications. These can easily be dealt with if you communicate with your doctor. If you have trouble swallowing or breathing, you should tell your doctor. Likewise, if you develop a fever or if you see blood or pus coming out of your nose, you should advise your doctor. All of these are clear signs of an infection that is not being controlled by your current antibiotics, and your doctor may change the antibiotic or up the dosage. The key is not to panic and to communicate.
Getting your wisdom teeth removed can be nerve-wracking, especially if you are scared of the dentist. The truth is the odds are in your favor to have a good recovery. Keep in mind all that was discussed here and you will know what to expect.
For more information, speak with a dental surgeon.
