Part of the adolescent experience for many people is wisdom tooth pain, the result of the final 4 molars trying to squeeze into a tight space already occupied by neighboring teeth. In this month’s blog, we look at what happens and how to get relief. Ocoee Oral Surgery offers Wisdom Teeth Removal in Cleveland TN, so it is important for patients to understand what’s involved when meeting with our oral surgeons.

What to expect during Wisdom Tooth Removal at our Cleveland TN Office

What to Do When Wisdom Teeth are Diagnosed as the Problem

Cleveland TN wisdom teeth removalWe recommend consulting your regular dentist or contacting our Ocoee Oral Surgery office to prepare for treatment without needless delay. Visiting a dentist regularly is one way to reduce the likelihood of problems that can start simple and become complicated, so we recommend being proactive with routine check-ups. Our Oral Surgeons will offer a consult and set up the procedure.

Preparing for Wisdom Tooth Removal

Extraction is an outpatient surgery, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t serious. It’s important to plan ahead so you can avoid complications or infections after, stay hydrated and eat well within recommended restrictions. Go to the grocery store and get soft foods like pudding, apple sauce, soup, mashed potatoes, or smoothies (avoid slurping through a straw, though). Definitely avoid hot foods and small, hard items like nuts or seeds that can get stuck in the hole where the wisdom teeth used to be. If a food product requires a lot of chewing, it needs to last longer than the next several days. We recommend enlisting someone to drive you home after the procedure and help with acquiring the post-surgical pain medication and antibiotics, typically a parent or guardian.

Wisdom tooth removal recovery time

You should expect recovery from wisdom teeth removal to take up to a week, depending on your specific situation. There is no one-size-fits-all wisdom tooth removal healing timeline that applies, although we can give a pretty good idea of what to expect. A longer period may be needed if your oral surgeon is extracting impacted wisdom teeth still hidden below the gum line. Generally, daily activities can begin to resume the day after surgery and all pain and bleeding should end within a week. Seek help if you experience fever, swelling that gets worse over time, numbness, or bleeding that doesn’t stop when you apply pressure to a gauze, as these can be signs of infection.

Brushing teeth after wisdom teeth removal?

When considering cleaning after wisdom tooth removal, you need to focus on protecting your mouth and being careful so you don’t dislodge your blood clot or any stitches. That means no brushing or flossing for at least a day. You can instead rinse with salt water to keep the wound clean, allowing gravity to work as you tip your mouth over the sink rather than spitting the water out as you normally would with a mouthwash rinse. If your blood clot or stitches are disturbed before having enough time to properly heal, the result can be increased pain and risk of infection. Follow the instructions of your oral surgeon very carefully.

When is Wisdom Tooth Pain a Dental Emergency?

Generally speaking, any dental problem that needs immediate treatment to stop bleeding or alleviate severe pain is considered an emergency. Both are signs that something is potentially very wrong.

How to relieve wisdom tooth removal pain

You may want to invest before your wisdom tooth removal in an ice pack for your face, which can offer immediate pain relief. Discuss the type of anesthesia or sedation to be used during the surgery. You’ll also receive instructions on taking prescription painkillers or over-the-counter medications. Learning how your body responds to these is an important part of the initial consultation, and you will need to avoid consuming alcohol, caffeine or smoking during your recovery. If your medication is not effective at dulling the pain, this could be a sign of nerve damage and needs attention.

Learn More about Wisdom Teeth Removal at Ocoee Oral Surgery

We have a dedicated page of information about Removing Wisdom Teeth in Cleveland TN. It answers some common questions that patients have about the procedure.

The first step is talking with our oral surgeons about it. Call (423) 479-8544 or email us at [email protected] to begin the process of alleviating wisdom tooth pain.


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