A Teen’s Guide to Wisdom Teeth Removal - What to Expect
When you reach your mid-teens, your wisdom teeth will make an appearance on your dental x-rays. As they try to erupt, you may experience wisdom teeth pain, swelling, or problems with your other teeth or gums. Unfortunately, wisdom teeth don’t always grow in correctly. They may become impacted or trapped inside your jaw, or they may come in at the wrong angle. Sometimes there is simply not enough room for them in your mouth. If your wisdom teeth can’t erupt normally, they must be removed surgically by a special dentist called an oral surgeon. Wisdom tooth extraction is generally a simple, quick procedure. Your mouth will heal in a few days, and you’ll be free from wisdom teeth pain and other symptoms.
Before Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery
Before your wisdom tooth extraction, you will discuss the procedure with your oral surgeon. During the consultation, you’ll talk about your medical history, medications you are taking, and the type of anesthesia that will be used to numb your mouth before the surgery.
During Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery
A wisdom tooth extraction usually takes about 45 minutes. First, you will receive an injection of local anesthetic. If you feel nervous, you may be given laughing gas, to help you relax. If your dentist expects the surgery to be complicated, he or she may offer other options like IV sedation or general anesthesia. During the surgery, your oral surgeon will make an incision into your gums, or cut through your bone to remove impacted wisdom teeth. When the surgery is over, you may have stitches, and you may have gauze padding inside your mouth to help control bleeding.
After Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery
After your surgery, you should have little or no pain around the incision. It may take a few days to feel normal again. Eat soft foods, and follow any post-surgical instructions your oral surgeon gives you. Call your surgeon if you develop a fever, or your pain and swelling gets worse.
