Many patients, young and old, get nervous about their upcoming wisdom teeth extraction. For some, this procedure will be their first surgery of any kind—which can be a little bit intimidating. At Texas Oral Surgery Specialists, we perform a lot of extractions; the truth of the matter is that patients’ experiences vary wildly. Some will experience greater post-surgical pain, while others breeze through it. To help our patients manage any potential fears or anxiety, we’ve compiled a list of things for you to focus on before your extractions. These tips will help you be better prepared to deal with the challenges of post-surgical care.
Dr. Christopher Tye is a dentist and oral surgeon who provides wisdom teeth extraction for patients in Colleyville, Bedford, Grapevine, Southlake, Watauga, Keller, Trophy Club and Euless, TX. If you’re wondering whether your wisdom teeth should be extracted, call us for a consultation at 817-552-3223 today.
What You Should NOT Be Worried About
Feeling Any Pain During the Procedure – You will receive effective intravenous anesthesia during your oral surgery. This will include painkilling medicines as well as sedatives. You will also receive a local anesthetic to numb your jaw, the same way you get a shot when you have a tooth filled. Together, these medications ensure you will have no sensitivity during your appointment and for several hours afterward.
Feeling Woozy or Sick After the Extractions – Yes, you may feel a bit disoriented and “tipsy” after anesthesia, especially if it is your first time. There’s no point in worrying about it. Don’t worry about embarrassing yourself either, as nothing you could say or do will surprise or shock our experienced and professional staff. You may also feel dizzy and nauseous, which is why it’s a good idea to get home after surgery as soon as possible, so you can rest.
Resuming Your Normal Schedule Quickly – Every patient will heal at a different pace and not everyone experiences post-operative pain the same way. If you are in a hurry to get back on your feet, you will be sadly disappointed when it takes more than a couple of hours to feel like yourself again! Some patients can resume work or school after about three days, while others may take a full week. Your diet may take up to two or three weeks to return to normal, and each food that you add to should be done so incrementally and with caution.
What You Should Be Doing
Make Sure You Have a Caretaker – Having a parent, relative, or close friend around is invaluable in the first days after oral surgery. You will not feel like getting up to replace your own drool-catching washcloth, fetch new cold-packs, or puree your lunch. Someone should be available to bring you your medicine and make sure you are eating and drinking at the right times.
Take Time Off Work or School – Not only will you not feel like resuming your normal schedule, you also won’t feel like doing schoolwork or working from home. Your most important job after oral surgery is to rest and sleep as much as possible.
Do Some Grocery Shopping – Only you and/or your caretaker knows what soft foods you may find appealing in the days after your wisdom teeth extraction. Getting proper nourishment after surgery is essential to proper healing, so indulge yourself by stocking up on your favorite soups, purees, and liquid forms of nutrition (smoothies, protein shakes, etc.).
Learn the “Do’s and Don’ts” for after surgery
- Don’t use a straw.
- Don’t spit.
- Don’t smoke or vape.*
- Don’t swish or rinse the mouth.
- Do keep the head elevated when you rest.
These tips are more important than you may realize, especially in the first 24 hours. After surgery, your body will need to form blood clots in the sockets where your teeth were extracted. Creating any suction in the mouth can prevent proper clotting and result in an extremely painful condition called dry sockets.
Read Our Pre- and Post-Surgical Instructions and Share Them with Your Caregiver – One of the most important points to note is that you should not eat or drink anything after you wake up on the morning of your surgery. The medications we give you can sometimes induce nausea, which can be deadly if you vomit while unconscious. Keeping your stomach empty of food and drink is critical to a safe oral surgery.
Do you need wisdom teeth extraction in Colleyville, Bedford, Grapevine, Southlake, Watauga, Keller, Trophy Club or Euless, TX? Visit Texas Oral Surgery Specialists to find out why Dr. Christopher Tye should be the oral surgeon you choose. Call our office at 817-552-3223 to make an appointment.
* Smoking or Vaping: You shouldn’t be doing this anyway, of course. But if you do smoke or use nicotine products, know that you must not do it while your extraction sites are healing. If your body is addicted to nicotine, ask your doctor about nicotine replacement while you are healing. A better option is to take this as a wonderful opportunity to quit using tobacco products altogether!
