Having Wisdom teeth removed? 5 tips to be ready for the big day.

May 6th, 2014 by Dr. Patel

Whether your wisdom teeth are already starting to cause you discomfort or you’re being diligent in preparing for your extraction, proper planning ahead of time can prevent stress and discomfort after your procedure has taken place. Below are five excellent tips to help you prepare for having your wisdom teeth removed.

Whether it’s a quick procedure or a major surgery, the same holds true: it’s best to eliminate any source of stress that can add to your discomfort while you’re in the recovery phase. Arrange for time away from the workplace, for additional child care or just to have a good friend around while you’re recovering. You will feel much better if you’re dealing with as little stress as possible.

While some wisdom teeth removals can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications such asacetaminophen or ibuprofen, there is a chance that you will require a stronger medication to manage the pain that will arrive once the anesthetics wear off. Your oral surgeon will provide you with a prescription for a drug therapy suitable for the pain you will be in; be sure to have a plan to get this prescription filled before you arrive home from the procedure.

Prior to your wisdom tooth extraction you may be required to follow a specific diet to ensure that your procedure goes according to plan. You may be advised to avoid certain foods, beverages or solid foods altogether in the hours prior to having your wisdom teeth removed. If you have any doubts about whether or not you should be eating a certain food, be sure to check in with your oral surgery team.

It should go without saying that your oral surgeon and the rest of the team are here to answer your questions and ensure you’re adequately prepared for what’s next. Although having your wisdom teeth removed is a relatively minor procedure and not a major surgery, it’s still natural to have questions. Feel free to ask anything you’d like to know more about; knowing more about what’s happening may help to place you at ease.

After the procedure, plan to relax for the rest of the day. You can resume normal activity the day after your extraction, but do your best to avoid any sports or other strenuous activities that may cause unnecessary bleeding. You’re going to want to avoid smoking and alcohol, and be sure to follow the directions provided about which foods are okay to eat and which are not. With a bit of rest, some ice and your prescription medications, you’ll be feeling good as new in no time.

Don’t forget: this is a procedure that many thousands of individuals just like you have each and every day. Dr. Patel and the team at Lorton Oral Surgery are here to answer any other questions about your wisdom teeth that you might have. Contact us anytime and we’ll be happy to help!

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