How to Reduce Swelling After Wisdom Tooth Removal 

What Is Wisdom Tooth Removal?

It is the process of permanently removing wisdom teeth from your mouth. Wisdom teeth are the last molars to erupt in an adult’s mouth.

Why Would You Need to Remove Your Wisdom Tooth?

No dental expert at Joseph B Pantaleo DDS would recommend a tooth extraction near you unless it is necessary for your oral cavity’s preservation. Typically, dentists will remove wisdom teeth if they are problematic. Some of the reasons why you need a wisdom tooth extraction in Smithtown, NY, are:

1. Severe toothache – if your wisdom tooth subjects you to excruciating dental pain, you need to visit an emergency dentist near me about pulling out the tooth.
2. Impacted tooth – occurs when a tooth erupts improperly, so it remains partially or wholly stuck underneath the gums. It is common with wisdom teeth due to the limited space at the furthest corners of the mouth.
3. Decayed tooth – since wisdom teeth are the furthest in your mouth, you may not properly clean them as you brush the rest of your teeth. It makes them highly susceptible to decay cavities and tooth decay.
4. Overcrowding – wisdom teeth typically erupt between the ages of 16 and 25. But this time, the rest of your natural teeth have erupted and are already in place. It means that the limited space on your jaw may be insufficient to house new sets of molars. Therefore, it is not uncommon for patients to experience overcrowding once their wisdom teeth erupt. A dentist may recommend removing the problematic teeth to create more space in your jawbone.

What Should You Anticipate During Wisdom Tooth Removal?

Tooth extractions are different. The simple procedure occurs for easy-to-extract teeth. However, when removing wisdom teeth, the dentist must be aggressive enough to handle the various specifications of the tooth. Therefore, the dentist may have to perform a surgical procedure.

Surgery is often necessary if you have impacted teeth, allowing the dentist to access the entire tooth structure underneath the gums. Besides that, the dentist may need to break down the wisdom tooth into small portions. It is often necessary to ease the extraction process since wisdom molars are often deep-rooted and hard to extract.

Post-Surgical Preparation

After your surgery, you have several adjustments to make in your life that will accommodate the speedy healing of the extraction wound. Usually, you should anticipate swelling, redness, tenderness, and some dental pain in the extraction wound. Proper dental care is crucial for speeding and easing your recovery period. Some tips for post-surgical care are:

1. Keep your mouth clean to prevent infection on the wound.
2. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to keep your mouth clean. It helps to keep the toothbrush away from the extraction site.
3. Eat soft foods that are gentle to your mouth instead of crunchy and hard foods.
4. Take your prescribed pain medication to manage your discomfort, particularly during the first few days of recovery.
5. Rest – take time for intentional rest, allowing your body to wind down so it can focus on healing the extraction wound.

How Do You Manage the Swelling Post-Surgery?

You should anticipate inflammation after surgery, which is your body’s immune system’s response to the surgery. However, your oral surgeon will provide strategies to alleviate the swelling, keeping it under control while the wound heals. Some tips for Managing the swelling are:

1. Keep your head elevated when lying down – it prevents blood from pooling in your head, which worsens the pain and swelling.
2. Cold compress – apply an ice pack over your cheek for a few minutes with a break between them. It should help alleviate the swelling.
3. Take prescribed medicine – along with the pain drugs, the dentist may recommend anti-inflammatory medicine. It should help manage the inflammation, particularly during the first few days post-surgery.
4. Limit physical activity – the last thing you want is a blood surge in your mouth that may worsen the bleeding, pain, and swelling. The stakes are higher during the first three days of recovery.
5. Stay hydrated – drinking a lot of water is necessary for speedy healing. However, since it may be hard for you to get in eight glasses during the first three days of recovery, consider sucking on ice chips.