Wisdom teeth removal may be recommended by your dentist or orthodontist to preserve your bite alignment and avoid painful complications. This dental surgery is a major procedure and will require more preparation and care than an ordinary visit. Your dentist should provide you with specific instructions, but to help you know what to expect, here are the most important points before, during, and after your wisdom teeth removal.

Preparation

Your dental surgery provider may recommend you don't eat or drink the day of your procedure, as anesthesia can make you sick. If you're on any medications, check beforehand whether you should take them immediately before and after the operation. Consuming the wrong food or medication could mean you'll have to put off the treatment for another day.

Procedure

Check in with your dentist beforehand to make sure you understand what will happen. Clarify how many teeth are being removed and how long it will take, and get an overview of the process. This will help ensure there are no surprises on the day of the surgery.

Anesthesia

Wisdom teeth are often removed under general anesthesia, which means after the procedure, you won't be able to drive or work for the first few hours. Make sure to arrange a ride home from the dental office and someone to sit with you until the anesthesia wears off.

Post-Op Care

Your dentist should provide specific care instructions, but, in general, you'll need to be careful not to irritate the wound site while it's healing. Soft foods are essential, and you'll need to skip brushing the area at first until the incision has had a chance to close. You'll want ice packs to help with the pain and swelling, as well as pain relievers. Over-the-counter options can be effective, but your dentist may also prescribe stronger discomfort relief if necessary.

Fallbrook Family Dentistry provides routine care and dental surgery in Lincoln, NE. Their skilled dentists offer pediatric care, restorative treatments, and cosmetic dentistry and will ensure you understand exactly what will happen if you need a more extensive procedure. Contact them today at (402) 467-0007 to make an appointment, or request one online.