Wisdom teeth removal is a surgical procedure that is commonly performed on patients in their late teenage years or early twenties. The procedure involves extracting one or more wisdom teeth, the last set of molars to develop in the mouth. If not removed, wisdom teeth can cause various dental problems including crowding and infection. It is often the case that there is not enough space in the mouth for the wisdom teeth which can lead to a fair amount of discomfort and pain if left untreated.
Plan for the School Holidays
Many patients choose to have their wisdom teeth removed during the school holidays to take advantage of this time away from class. The school holidays are an ideal time to schedule wisdom teeth removal surgery for several reasons. Most importantly, students have a break from their academic responsibilities, allowing them to rest and recover from the procedure without missing classes. Scheduling surgery during school holidays ensures that students do not miss any academic or extracurricular activities.
Students can also use their holiday time to schedule follow-up appointments with their dentist or oral surgeon to ensure that they are healing properly. If any complications arise, there should be enough time to correct these issues before the patient has to return to class.
Wisdom teeth removal is often characterised by swelling in the face and mouth, and patients will experience this to varying degrees. Severe swelling can make it difficult for patients to eat and speak. By booking the surgery during the school holidays you ensure that there is enough time for swelling to subside before the patient has to return to school.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure
Wisdom teeth removal surgery is relatively quick and typically takes between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the number of teeth being extracted and the complexity of the procedure. The dentist or oral surgeon will administer local or general anesthesia to ensure that the patient cannot feel any pain throughout the procedure.
The surgeon will then make an incision in the gum tissue to expose the tooth and bone, after which they remove any bone blocking the tooth and separate it from the ligament holding it in place. After the tooth is removed the surgeon will close the incision with dissolvable stitches.
Recovery After Surgery
After the procedure, patients may experience some discomfort, swelling and bleeding for a few days. The surgeon may prescribe pain medication and recommend the use of ice packs to reduce swelling. Patients should avoid smoking, sipping drinks through a straw and spitting for at least 24 hours after the procedure, as this can increase pressure in the mouth and interfere with the healing process.
Patients are advised to stick to a soft food diet for the first few days after surgery. Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to stave off infections and patients should rinse their mouths with salt water regularly and avoid applying too much pressure when brushing their teeth. Remember to book follow-up appointments with your surgeon to ensure that there are no complications.
Planning ahead is often the key to success! Book your appointment for wisdom teeth removal at Centurion Day Hospital today to ensure that you get a spot during the school holidays. Feel free to browse our website for more information on any of the procedures performed at our facility.