Wisdom Teeth Removal in Sunnyvale, CA

The recovery phase depends on each person’s situation. Worst case scenario, it can take up to 10 days if your tooth extraction involves an elaborate surgery.

Some people never develop wisdom teeth, or they do but they grow normally and cause no problems. An extraction is  not always necessary, but it’s required whenever the tooth is making changes to the gum area.

Because the area will be numb, you won’t feel the pain. If you do feel it, your oral surgeon will give you more anesthesia.

If you feel any of the below symptoms, you should book a visit to your dentist so he can advise you on whether you need an extraction:

• Swollen gums
• Bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Jawbone pain
• Difficulty opening your mouth

It really depends on your recovery. Most people get back to normal eating within 24 to 48 hours. You may eat soft food at first and then get back to solids.

No, you do not have to be put to sleep. The anesthesia used is a local one with the only purpose to numb the gum area.

It is possible to remove all 4 wisdom teeth at once, and this would actually reduce recovery time. The procedure though would have to be split into 2 to 3 appointments.

Wisdom teeth removal can be considered as a surgical procedure as it depends on the position of the wisdom teeth and the procedure an oral surgeon will take to have it removed.

You should listen to your surgeon’s recommendations as there are many factors that could influence that decision.

When you are told you will be having surgery, you might immediately wonder how long will it take your dentist to remove your wisdom teeth. Well, the answer might surprise you! It actually takes 30 to 45 minutes and is usually over very quickly.

To remove your wisdom teeth, a small incision is needed to separate it from the bone and gum tissue. It’s a simple procedure that is painless and doesn’t require much time.

• Wisdom teeth are the only teeth that don’t form in the womb.
• Most 20-year-olds still have a wisdom tooth that hasn’t erupted. These third molars sometimes don’t fully erupt until you’re in your 30s.
• The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons reports that 85 percent of wisdom teeth will need to be removed at some point.
• A surprisingly high number of people are born without wisdom teeth – an estimated 35 percent of the population. Some scientists believe evolution is beginning to play a role now that we don’t need them anymore.
• Scientists believe we don’t need wisdom teeth anymore because their purpose was to help chew food that was uncooked or tough in early civilizations. Now that our food is easy to chew and our jaws have shrunk in size, they are more trouble than help.
• Wisdom teeth produce stem cells that can be saved and potentially used later in life to help with a number of health-related problems.
• Impacted wisdom teeth, or those that can’t erupt completely, don’t just cause problems for your mouth. They can also cause sinus problems.
• Studies are currently being done to find a way to stop the development of wisdom teeth since most people need them removed. This would eliminate the need for surgery and prevent complications.

It is CRITICAL to follow all the instructions to prepare for surgery. Your procedure WILL NOT be carried out, if these precautions are not followed. We reserve the right to cancel or postpone surgery if any of the instructions are not followed. If you have any questions, please call or text (408) 505-1777. Notify our practice of any changes to your health before your procedure.

Activity

• Get full night’s sleep before and after the treatment. The human body recovers the most when at rest. Most of the "repairs" are done while a person is asleep, so make sure you get a lot of sleep to make the recovery from the procedure as smooth as possible.

Diet

• Avoid anything to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to your appointment.
• Consumption of alcohol must be avoided, 24 hours prior to the surgery.
• If you use tobacco or marijuana products, please refrain from using it at the day of the procedure and be prepared to stop for a period afterwards. It is advisable to use anti-smoking aids (Ex. Lozenge, Patch, Anti-smoking pills)

Medication

• If you are taking any medication, please inform your dentist immediately. If you take prescription medication, take them at your normal times unless otherwise directed by your physician or dentist. DO NOT stop taking any prescription medication unless directed by your physician and dentist.

Oral hygiene

• Please brush your teeth and rinse thoroughly before surgery.

Driver/Caretaker

• Your driver/caretaker MUST be present at the time of sedation and must be able to stay with you during the procedure, take you back home and stay with you. We will discuss the post-operative instructions with you and your driver/caretaker prior to sedation process.

Clothing

• Wear loose, comfortable clothing for the procedure. Your clothes may stain during the procedure so dress accordingly. Wear Flat-soled shoes that support your ankle.
• Do not wear cosmetics around the mouth, as they may be inadvertently transferred in the surgical area during the procedure. Prior to surgery, your nose, cheeks, lips, and chin will be disinfected.

Time

• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment.
• Time is set aside specifically to place your procedure. We have reserved enough time to ensure that the operation proceeds smoothly so that the outcome will be successful. If you feel you will have any problem keeping your appointment, please give us as much notice as possible so that we might utilize your time for another patient.

Alcohol

• Consumption of alcohol must be avoided, 24 hours prior to the surgery.

These instructions are intended to minimize DISCOMFORT and promote HEALING. If you experience any unusual problems or have any questions, please call or text (669) 260-5834.

First hour:

• Bite down firmly on the gauze pad, making sure that it remains in place. Do not remove every few minutes to inspect wound. Keep your tongue and finger away from the surgical site.
• Do not drink through a straw. Drink straight from the cup.
• Do not rinse your mouth or use mouthwash for the remainder of the day.
• Do not drink or eat during the first two hours after oral surgery.
• Keep 600 mg of Ibuprofen accessible and consume them as the pain medication wears off.

When you get home:

• One hour after extraction, wash your hands and gently remove the gauze. Replace gauze as needed after that to control bleeding. Extra gauze can be found in your take home kit.
• After 24 hours you may RINSE gently with warm salt water (approx. 1 tsp. per 8 oz. glass of warm water) to help clean and maintain surgical site. DO NOT spit out the water but let it spill out slowly.
• When sleeping, elevate your head to decrease swelling. Stay in propped up position for the first night of the surgery if possible.

Avoid:

• Do not smoke for 7 days or until healing is established.
• Avoid carbonated, caffeinated or alcohol beverages until healing has been established (5-7 days)
• Avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 48hrs after surgery.

Diet:

• Adequate food and fluid intake is very important for recovery BUT avoid hard, crispy, or granular foods for 2 weeks or healing is established.
• A liquid diet for the first two days after surgery is recommended. These may include nutritional drinks, smoothies, ice cream, soups, and juices. But again, do not use a straw.
• Diabetics must maintain their regular diet and medication.
• After eating, it is important to keep the surgical site clean from food debris. Follow warm saltwater rinse instructions mentioned above. Do not brush the area near surgical site for 1 week. After 1 week, use the Ultra soft bristle toothbrush provided during your appointment to keep the surgical site clean.

Pain:

• Take 600 mg of ibuprofen every six or eight hours to control the expected post operative pain unless otherwise directed by physician or dentist. NOTE: If you are taking blood thinner, do NOT take Ibuprofen or Aspirin products. Please ask your doctor if you can substitute it with 500 mg of Tylenol.
• Have medication on hand should discomfort arise. Take the prescribed medications as directed on the prescription bottle. If medication makes you have nausea, please contact our office.

Oral hygiene

• Every time you eat, you should rinse your mouth out with warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm tap water) to keep the extraction sites as clean as possible and decrease the risk of infection. Vigorous rinsing should be avoided for a period of 48 hours.
  

Bleeding:

• Slight bleeding, oozing or reddened saliva is normal during the first 24 hours. Compress gauze around extraction site with firm pressure by biting for 30 minutes to contain bleeding.
• Do not remove gauze every few minutes to inspect wound.
• If bleeding continues, place a Lipton tea bag directly over the wound with firm pressure for thirty minutes. The tannic acid in the tea bag helps to form a clot by contracting bleeding vessels.
• If bleeding is severe or persists after 24 hours, contact the dentist’s office or any hospital emergency room.

Swelling:

• Gently apply Ice packs to area for periods of 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 24 hours. If the swelling or stiffness persist for over 1 week, please contact our office.

Nausea

• It is not uncommon for people to have nausea and vomiting after being sedated or put to sleep for a surgical procedure. It is not common to vomit after the operation. The most common cause of postoperative nausea and vomiting is taking pain medicine on an empty stomach.
  

Bone graft material:

• If your surgeon placed bone graft material at the time the extraction, you might notice some gritty material in your mouth. This is nothing to worry about and should subside within a day or two.

Sutures:

• Unless told otherwise, the sutures used during your procedure are dissolvable and will fall out on their own. This generally occurs in the first week after surgery, but timing varies from 4–10 days.
• DO NOT pull out the sutures. Inform your doctor if part of suture is coming out.
  

Allergic reaction:

• For generalized rash, itching, etc., call our office immediately.
• If you develop difficulty in breathing, etc., contact your hospital emergency room.

• You develop an allergic reaction (rash, itching etc.)
• You develop a fever
• You develop a swelling
• You notice a pimple forming on your gums
• You have difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Pain increases over time and or becomes severe
• You have any concerns or questions

Email: care@tridentsmilesdental.com

Phone: (408) 505-1777

If you are unable to contact your dentist and are in pain or have other concerns, go to your nearest emergency room.

If you experience any life-threatening problems, call 911 immediately for assistance.