Wisdom teeth removal can be a daunting thought, but there’s nothing to be worried about. Carrum Downs Dental Care can do impacted, surgical, and wisdom teeth extractions in Melbourne. We remove your wisdom teeth in a caring way and ensure you’re prepared for before and after your procedure.
What happens in removal?
Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to appear in your mouth. They usually show up between the ages of 17 and 25. For some people wisdom teeth erupt normally and cause no problems, but for many, the teeth develop impacted and don’t have enough room to erupt into the mouth, therefore needing removal.
There are a few different types of wisdom teeth removal depending on the circumstance. There’s straightforward wisdom teeth removal if the tooth is straight and not impacted. A minor surgery is needed for impacted and horizontally grown teeth. And in very few cases, the removal may be incredibly complex and you’ll be referred to a specialist oral surgeon.
There are quite a few reasons why you might need your wisdom teeth removed:
- Pain
- In line with orthodontic treatments to straighten teeth
- Infections
- Damage to nearby teeth
- Tooth decay in a partially erupted tooth
- Development of a cyst around the tooth
- To prevent likely future dental problems
How to Prep For Wisdom Teeth Removal
Ask your dentist questions
If knowing how something works makes you feel comfortable, make sure to ask your dentist questions. Example to ask are:
- How many wisdom teeth are being removed?
- What type of anaesthesia will I receive?
- How long/complicated do you expect the procedure to be?
- Will I need follow up treatments?
- How long will it take to heal?
Take time off school or work
After your wisdom teeth are removed you may feel some pain after the anaesthesia wears off. You should plan ahead for this and book off at least two days in your calendar for recovery. From there, your mouth will usually take 1-2 weeks to heal. So even if you return to school or work, refrain from intense activities for a little while.
Wear comfortable clothing
You’ll want to be comfortable throughout and after the procedure, so wear comfy clothes like trackies and t-shirts. Remove any jewellery and make-up.
How To Care For Yourself After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Have medication on hand
You may be given some pain reliever medication by your dentist or prescribed something, so make sure you have that on hand. But also purchase some over-the-counter pain medicine for if you’re still experiencing pain once you stop taking the prescribed medication.
Eat soft foods
Your mouth will feel sore and the place where your wisdom teeth were will be tender, so avoid hard food after your surgery. Stock up on food like:
- Yoghurt
- Soup
- Pudding
- Mashed Potatoes
- Smoothies
- Ice cream
And make sure to drink plenty of water!
Follow your dentist’s instructions
You may experience some bleeding, swelling, and bruising after the procedure, so make sure to follow any instructions your dentist gives you in relation to healing. You may be given gauze to place over the extraction site and be instructed to use an ice pack to reduce swelling.
Choose Carrum Downs Dental Care
Carrum Downs Dental Care will help you be prepared for your wisdom teeth removal in Melbourne. If you have any more questions or would like to book an appointment, contact us to schedule in and we can help you achieve a confident, pain free smile.