The Wise Patient's Cheat Sheet on Wisdom Teeth Removal

There's no way around it: the time has come for your wisdom teeth to be extracted.  According to the horror stories out there, you are in for nothing but non-stop agony, but you don't have to share the same fate!

Being proactive and fully prepared for what happens during and after surgery can minimize the pain and help ensure a smooth recovery.  Make the experience easier
 on yourself by following these expert tip and tricks.

Read the procedure and recovery guidelines well in advance. Understanding
what to expect at every stage of the process can help you plan and gather items
for your recovery more efficiently.  Knowing potential complications that can arise
such as Dry Sockets, a painful condition due to blood clot failure or Parasthesia, a 
numbness of the lip, chin and/or tongue- can also help you detect and address 
serious problems immediately.  Be sure to raise any questions or concerns with your
dentist at this time to save you from having to make calls while you heal.  

Clear your calendar for recovery. Many patients undermine their recovery because 
they did not realize the physical toll of a surgery such as this. Multi-tasking and 
strenuous activities can disrupt your healing time, or worse-distract you from costly
complications. Put plans on hold and relax as much as possible. If you go to school
or work during the weekdays, consider scheduling the surgery for a Friday for minimal
disruption of your schedule, and give yourself the whole weekend to rest.

Enlist the help of family and friends beforehand. Not only will you need someone 
to drive you to and from the dentist's office on the day of the surgery, you may need
extra support getting ans preparing food, placing necessary calls, or completing 
important tasks and chores. Ask loved ones for help in advance, so they can
adjust their schedules accordingly.

Stock up on supplies. Gather items that can make your post-operative experience
more comfortable. In addition to medications your dentist may prescribe for
you, these essentials can help ease your pain.  
  • Ice packs to reduce swelling
  • Soft foods, such as yogurt, pudding or ice cream
  • tea bags, an effective alternative (when moistened) to biting gauze when bleeding
  • salt to combine with water for a safe mouth rinse that can reduce irritation
Make a "Do Not Do" List
  • Sipping from a straw; doing so can disrupt blood clotting and cause dry sockets
  • Eating spicy or hot foods, as they can exacerbate the pain
  • Smoking or drinking alcohol, as they can interfere with the healing process
  • Driving or operating heavy machinery; medications may impair everyday abilities
Get Your Dentist's Advice

Last, but not least, take advantage of your dentist's history of wisdom teeth removal to improve
your own experience.  He or she has probably seen and heard it all, and can provide additional
recommendations based on your individual situation.


Sources:

Steinberg, S. (2014, May 23).The Survival Guide to Getting Your Wisdom Teeth Out. Retrieved June 12, 2015, from http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2014/05/23/the-survival-guide-to-getting-your-wisdom-teeth-removed
Vancura, D. (2012, August 23). 7 Tips to Recover from Wisdom Teeth Removal. Retrieved June 12, 2015, from http://www.angieslist.com/articles/7-tips-prepare-and-recover-wisdom-teeth-removal.htm
Wisdom Tooth Extraction: Recovery, Pain, and More. (2013, August 19). Retrieved June 12, 2015, from http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/wisdom-tooth-extraction


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