Getting Ready for Wisdom Teeth Removal

Has your teen just received the news that they should have their wisdom teeth removed? While there never seems to be the perfect time to remove them, there are many perks to scheduling the surgery for a long weekend.

Fall break is a popular time for teens to remove their wisdom teeth. For most teens, recovery is smooth and uneventful. An open weekend or a few extra days for your teen to relax after wisdom teeth surgery offers the best healing. Once those wisdom teeth are out, you don’t have to worry about them causing problems in your future.

All You Need To Know About Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Knowing a few things about this type of surgery can help your teen to know what to expect during surgery and the recovery process.

Wisdom teeth extractions are usually done as outpatient surgery, meaning your teen will arrive and leave on the same day. Typically, you and your teen will check-in. His or her medical history will be reviewed with the dental team.

Your teen can receive local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, or general sedation during surgery. If general sedation is used, it will take longer for your teen to wake up following the surgery. They may need to wait in a recovery room for some time following surgery.

The extraction process goes quite quickly. Time can vary a little depending on your teen’s specific situation and how many teeth they have extracted. Also, teeth that are impacted versus erupted into the mouth can affect the extraction process.

Recovering From Wisdom Teeth Extraction

It can be helpful to know what to expect following surgery. Following the surgeon’s post-op instructions and taking plenty of time for resting is very important to the healing phase following surgery. Some teens can have an easy recovery, while someone else might find recovery to be painful or slow.

Therefore, following this list doesn’t guarantee that you will have no problems after surgery. Still, it does contain valuable information to help you better understand wisdom teeth recovery, and following it will give you the best chances of avoiding post-surgery complications.

Ice And Pain Meds

The first day following surgery may involve pain and swelling as the anesthesia wears off. It can be helpful to use ice to control the swelling. Staying on top of pain medication can be beneficial during this time.

Rest, Rest, Rest

Following surgery, it can be tempting to return to work and everyday life, but allowing your body to rest so that it can heal is essential. We recommend taking at least a few days off from school and work. Overdoing it too soon may lead to healing complications such as dry sockets.

Mouthrinse

We recommend swishing with warm salt water following surgery. This helps to reduce bacteria and soothe your tissues. Adding ½ tsp salt to a cup of warm water and swishing for a minute will benefit your healing process.

Healthy Eating

Your body needs good nutrition as it tries to heal after surgery. While eating after surgery can be challenging, try not to go crazy with sugar. Avoid hard and crunchy foods for the first few days following surgery.

Here is a list of healthier options that you could try following surgery:

• Mashed potatoes
• Applesauce
• Soft noodles
• Warm (not hot) Soup
• Sugar-free popsicles.

Making an appointment for your teen to remove wisdom teeth can feel a little overwhelming. Remember that having a few days for your teen to take it easy after the procedure is important and helpful.

The great thing about having their wisdom teeth out during fall break is that they have extra time off school and once the wisdom teeth are out, you won’t be worrying about them ever again!

If your teen needs their wisdom teeth out, contact us today so we can make sure and get them in over a fall or winter break.