If you are in your late teens, you are probably looking forward to have your wisdom teeth removed. This procedure can be scary if you have never had a dental procedure. The following are some facts that will help you understand what removal of wisdom teeth entails.

Step 1: Examination

On your first visit, the dentist will perform an X-ray to determine who should perform the procedure on your mouth. It could be an oral surgeon or your dentist.

Step 2: Anaesthesia

Before the dentist removes your wisdom teeth, there will give you a local anaesthesia to numb the area around your tooth and to also numb your tooth.  Your doctor will have instructed you not to consume any food or beverage on the day you are set to undergo surgery. If you are nervous about the procedure, you may be given a sedative to enable you to relax. This is administered in form of an injection in your arm.

Step 3: Removing the Tooth

If your tooth has not come out from your gum, a small incision is made in your gum in order to access it. The tooth could be chopped into small parts for it to be easy to remove. If the tooth has broken through your gum, there is no need for the dentist to make an incision.

You shall experience some pressure before your tooth is removed. The reason is because your dentist will rock the tooth to and fro to widen your tooth socket.

The time it takes for removing the tooth depends on whether it is a simple procedure or a complicated one. For simple procedures, where the tooth is easily loosened, the dentist will be done within a few minutes. For complicated procedures, where the tooth is deep rooted,  it could take more than 20 minutes.

Step 4: After Surgery

If your dentist made an incision, they may use dissolving stitches to seal your gum. The stitches will dissolve in 7-10 days.

If you have an ongoing infection on the empty tooth socket, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. In normal cases, the dentist will place cotton gauze pad on the empty tooth socket and instruct you to apply pressure on it. Be careful not to dislodge blood clots as they are part of your healing process.

During the 24 hours after the doctor removes your wisdom tooth avoid:

• Consumption of alcohol and smoking
• Consumption of hot liquids like soup or tea
• Engaging in strenuous physical activity
• Rising your mouth with liquid

For more information on this or other procedures, contact Dr Bala Subramaniam Vasanthini B.D.S.