What You Need to Know About Having Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

You’ve probably seen the videos on YouTube of people talking crazy after they’ve had their wisdom
teeth extracted. These videos can be absolutely hilarious… until it’s your turn to get your wisdom teeth removed.

Most adults need some, or all, of their wisdom teeth removed. There’s usually not enough room in our jaw for all that wisdom, so the extra teeth can become impacted and cause all sorts of long-term problems. To alleviate this, oral surgeons typically remove the teeth when an individual is in his or her 20s. Since you heal faster the younger you are, you’ll want to have this procedure done sooner rather than later. If the idea of getting your wisdom teeth out gives you the heebie jeebies, however, you’re probably going to procrastinate. If fear of the oral surgeon has got you dragging your feet, check out this list of things to know about wisdom teeth extraction. With a plan in hand, you can finally get around to scheduling your appointment.

Talk to Your Dentist

The first step in getting your wisdom teeth removed is to talk to your dentist. Your dentist has your X-rays, and he or she will be able to tell you if you need to have your wisdom teeth removed. Your dentist will also be able to recommend a nearby oral surgeon.Whether you live in Menomonee Falls, WI, or Pomfret, CT, you’ll be able to find a trusted oral surgeon to get the job done. Finding the right oral surgeon, however, is only the beginning.

Grab a Friend

When you get your wisdom teeth out, you’re going to be groggy for the next couple of hours. That means you’re not safe to walk or drive home. The oral surgeon’s office will need to see that you have someone waiting for you to take you home, so enlist a spouse, sibling, or friend to drive you home. (You may want to get it in writing that they won’t film you babbling on the drive.)

Decide on Your Painkiller

When you get your wisdom teeth out, you have a choice between a couple different painkillers. You can get anesthesia, so you’re totally out for the procedure, you can get laughing gas, which leaves you groggy and dulls the pain, or you can simply get your gums numbed. The procedure is typically quick--sometimes only twenty minutes. If you’re picturing a length surgery, don’t stress it. If your insurance doesn’t cover much, you can consider being brave and only numbing your gums. If your insurance covers anesthesia, though, you may want to take the easy way out.

Grab Some Ice

Recovering from wisdom teeth surgery isn’t fun. While the level of pain varies from person to person, expect to take a lot of ibuprofen. You can, however, expect the ibuprofen to help, so don’t be scared of long-term pain. You’ll also want to ice your jaw, and you can expect some swelling and even bruising for the following week or two. Soon, however, you’ll be back to normal--and you’ll feel fantastic for accomplishing the feat of getting your wisdom teeth removed.