Every year, 5 million Ame
ricans undergo an outpatient wisdom tooth extraction procedure. Despite its prevalence, or possibly because of it, there is a great deal of anxiety often associated with a wisdom tooth removal.
In this two-part series, we explore the ins and outs of wisdom tooth surgery. In part one, we examined the causes of wisdom tooth removal, as well as explained the procedure used to remove a tooth. In this second part of this series, we will look into how to prepare for your upcoming wisdom tooth extraction procedure.
Understanding
In the weeks leading up to your procedure, it is important to ask your doctor what to expect. Depending on your unique situation, you may be asked to abstain from eating or drinking within 24 hours of your surgery, forgo medications, and even skip certain parts of your dental hygiene routine.
Planning
One of the simplest ways to reduce anxiety is to have a good plan in place. In this instance, that means understanding both when to arrive at your dental surgeon’s office and also how you will get home. While you may not need to arrange a ride home, it is often a good idea to have someone with you, that way, if you have a particularly strong reaction to the anesthesia then you will have a safe method of transportation.
Additionally, you should arrange your schedule in the days following your surgery so that you have no major obligations or deadlines. This ensures you can focus your energy on recovering from your procedure.
Preparing
There are a number of important post-surgery restrictions and regulations that you should abide by. The trick is that after your wisdom tooth extraction procedure, pain or grogginess might pose a barrier for you when you try to follow such restrictions.
Diet is especially important in this instance. The restrictions on what you can eat in the wake of your surgery can be quite severe. Therefore, it is a good idea to prepare your home for what you may need after your surgery.
The day before the surgery, for instance, you could prepare or purchase foods that are approved by your dental surgeon. That way, you will not have to worry about cooking or shopping after your surgery.
Wisdom teeth extraction benefits make the procedure well worth it for many Americans. By developing a proper understanding, appropriately planning for the day of your surgery, and preparing your home for maximum recovery, you can be sure that you are taking every possible step to ensure the success of your wisdom tooth extraction procedure.
This concludes our two-part series on wisdom tooth surgery. Hopefully, you feel more confident and comfortable with the procedure and have a strong understanding of how to prepare for it.