Dental Clinic | Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Jurong East, Tampines – Dental Implants & Oral Care Singapore

How to prepare for a wisdom tooth surgery

How to prepare for a wisdom tooth surgery


It is normal to worry about a wisdom tooth surgery. However, you can feel less anxious and more confident when you follow a few steps to prepare for your wisdom tooth removal.

  1. Take Time Off Work or School

After the removal, you may feel some pain. It might take up to 24 hours for the anaesthesia to wear off. As such, you should schedule at least two days off work or school.

After the initial two-day recovery, it will take between one to two weeks for your mouth to heal completely. Some people take longer to recover than others. You should be able to return to work or school soon, but you should not be planning to take part in intense activities right away as this may slow down the healing process, or worse, cause excessive bleeding.

  1. Find a Ride

You may feel the side effects of anaesthesia which includes feeling groggy and disoriented. It is thus not safe to drive yourself home after your wisdom tooth removal. Find a family member or friend who can take you home.

  1. Get Medication

If your dentist recommends a prescription pain reliever, follow the instructions carefully. You could ask him or her for the prescription before your surgery so that you can pick up the medicine beforehand.

You can purchase some over-the-counter pain medicine, if the pain is still too unbearable and you have finished your prescription medicine.

  1. Buy Soft Foods

Your mouth will feel sore after the surgery, and the pain may restrict your chewing. It is recommended to eat soft foods which include soup, yoghurt, pudding, mashed potatoes etc.

As you recover, you will slowly be able to add harder foods into your diet. But you should avoid eating hard foods like popcorn or pretzels for six to eight weeks after your surgery.

  1. Prepare Entertainment Options

Since you will need a couple of days to recover at home, make sure you have ways to keep yourself entertained. Read a book, watch a movie or even play video games to pass the time and more importantly, to distract yourself from the pain. Whatever you like to do in your free time, now is the chance to do it.

  1. Ask Your Dentist Questions

Every wisdom tooth removal is different, so your dentist may have different requirements or suggestions for you. Make sure you get all the information you need by asking the following questions:

-> How many wisdom teeth are you removing?

-> Are the wisdom teeth impacted (inside the gums)?

-> How long will the surgery take?

-> How early should I arrive for the appointment?

-> Do I need to fast before the surgery?

-> Do I need to avoid taking any medications before the surgery?

Let your dentist know about any medicines you take or any medical conditions you have, to prevent complications such as allergic reactions from happening.

  1. Familiarise Yourself with the Procedure

Once you learn a bit more about wisdom tooth removal, you will realise that it is nothing to fear.

Most people need their wisdom teeth removed because their wisdom teeth crowd their mouths so some of their other teeth can’t grow properly. Some wisdom teeth grow only partially through the gums, creating an opening that attracts bacteria and can lead to disease.

The wisdom tooth removal process is straightforward. Your dentist:

-> Makes a cut in your gum tissue

-> Removes the tooth, either as a whole or in sections

-> Cleans the cut

-> Stitches the wound

-> Places gauze over the cut

If you have any questions about the procedure, ask your dentist. Follow these tips to prepare, and you will not feel quite as nervous for your appointment. If you still have any doubts on the procedure, feel free to contact 1728 Dental Practice for a consultation via:

1728 Dental@AMK: +65 9631 1728
1728 Dental @Bedok Central: +65 8764 1728
1728 Dental@Jurong East: +65 9770 1728
1728 Dental@Tampines: +65 9725 1728

 

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