Wisdom tooth removal might be a commonly performed oral surgery procedure, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the time to prepare yourself for the recovery process. At Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, we want to make sure our patients know exactly what to expect from the moment they leave our offices.

Below are key tips to know about wisdom tooth removal and how to heal quickly, with as little discomfort as possible.

Stock up on Essentials Beforehand

When you get home from your procedure, you won’t feel like going shopping! Have plenty of soft foods and ice packs ready. Try to eat foods like pudding, smoothies, yogurt, soup or Jell-O. You can also steam and mash vegetables for a dose of fresh nutrients. Make sure you have extra gauze and pain medicine on hand as well.

Avoid the Key “Don’ts”

A dry socket is one of the most common wisdom tooth removal side effects, and it’s painful. It also interferes with your recovery. When blood clots dislodge or the blood clots that are beginning to form stop, this can result in a dry socket.

Don’t eat hard foods that require chewing (not that you’ll want to) or drink out of a straw, as suction can spur further bleeding. Don’t smoke either!

Make Time for Rest and Sleep

Make sure you take enough time off from work, school and sports to heal completely. The first few days, you will likely want to sleep more than usual, as your body enters the critical phase of healing. You need at least three to four full days of rest.

As you begin to feel better, slowly begin introducing exercise. Make sure you don’t engage in full-contact sports immediately following the procedure. Try to wait at least two weeks.

Continue Dental Hygiene Procedures with Care

You should make it a point to continue with your normal dental hygiene procedures in order to reduce the risk of infection and keep your other teeth and your gums healthy. Brush your teeth, but avoid the incision site. Irrigate the surgical area and rinse with salt water at least two times a day.

Know the Signs of Infection

If you begin running a fever or if your incision site continues to bleed and does not clot within the first day, call our office. If the pain gets worse following surgery, you should also contact us.

Trust Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for compassionate patient care during wisdom tooth removal. We take care of you and strive to make each extraction as painless as possible.

If professionals recommend oral surgery to treat your dental condition, it’s best to schedule it right away. While there are some cases where delaying treatment is acceptable, putting off oral surgery generally means your condition will get worse.

Below are our top five reasons to follow your surgeon’s orders and get your procedure on the calendar.

You’re in Pain

Managing the pain of impacted wisdom teeth or a misaligned jaw is difficult. When you’re in pain, every area of your life is affected, from your family to your work. The top reason to schedule your treatment as soon as possible is you need the old you back!

Your Condition Is Getting Worse

Delaying oral surgery doesn’t typically help the situation. When you have a problem with your jaw joint or your wisdom teeth aren’t developing the way they should, waiting just makes the problem worse.

Infection Is Possible

In the case of an impacted wisdom tooth, waiting for oral surgery could put you at risk of infection. And with infection, additional complications can ensue. Don’t take any risks with your health — get treatment as soon as possible.

Early Intervention Could Mean a Faster Recovery

In the case of oral and maxillofacial surgery, intervening early when problems are identified is key to a shorter recovery.

For example, waiting until later in adulthood to get your wisdom teeth removed could give the molars time to grow deeper roots. By the time you finally decide to get the procedure done, recovery can be longer and more painful, since the teeth are deeply anchored to the jawbone. The sooner your surgeon can intervene, the sooner you’ll be back on your feet.

Delays Could Lead to Additional Problems

Waiting too long for oral surgery could mean that the surgical treatment will no longer be enough to fix all the problems. For example, if your jaw joint needs repair and you put it off too long, the way your upper and lower jaw meet could cause your teeth to chip or crack. By the time you finally get the surgery done, you’ll need further dental work such as veneers or bridges.

When You Need Efficient, Effective Treatment

Our Richmond Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery team can help you when you need oral surgery. From implants to wisdom tooth removal to jaw surgery, we help relieve pain and encourage good health in the oral and maxillofacial region. Ready to schedule your consultation? We’re ready to meet you!