Having wisdom teeth removed is generally considered to be minor surgery, but it is surgery nonetheless. An individual who is having all four wisdom teeth removed at the same appointment is likely to receive general anesthesia, which makes things easier not only for the patient, but for the oral surgeon as well. Taking proper care after the operation is important for managing any side effects of anesthesia and for speeding the healing process. A dentist performing Oral Surgery in Summit NJ provides the patient with a list of instructions, but not all patients are diligent about following those guidelines.
An important factor that typically must be addressed first has transportation to get home. While recovering from the effects of general anesthesia, a person isn’t supposed to drive. Since people commonly have wisdom teeth removed during their late teens or early 20s, a patient might have a parent bring him to the appointment and take him home afterward. Otherwise, the person’s spouse, a good friend or another relative can help out.
The patient will receive a prescription for pain medication. He or she may be able to pick it up before the operation. Otherwise, someone can do so once the individual is home. Whether or not to take this medication is up to the patient. Often, a person only needs it for the first night. Afterward, over-the-counter pain relievers should be able to relieve any residual pain.
A dentist at a clinic such as Westfield Oral Surgery also provides guidelines for the food this patient can eat during the first few days. The key is to focus on beverages and soft foods. The individual probably won’t need a liquid diet, even on the first day, but milkshakes and soup without chewy ingredients are still good choices. The person will also be encouraged to eat foods such as mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, pudding, applesauce and scrambled eggs.
After Oral Surgery in Summit NJ, for wisdom teeth extraction, keeping the new open spaces clean is important. The patient receives a plastic irrigation syringe and should use warm water or warm salt water to gently flush the sockets. It can take two or three weeks for those areas to close.
