You’ve likely heard the phrase, “You might feel loopy after wisdom teeth removal.” People who have this surgery often act with reduced inhibitions and say things they shouldn’t. This happens because of the sedation used during the procedure. It affects your brain chemistry and can last for hours after you regain consciousness.
Most of the time, doctors remove wisdom teeth to prevent future problems. These issues can include severe occlusion, cysts or other damage to the jawbone or other teeth. The extra set of molars can also crowd and cause other problems with the gums and jawbone. They may even lead to infection.
It’s important to get educated about the procedure before your surgery. Talking to a dentist or oral surgeon can help calm your fears and put your mind at ease. You can also distract yourself during the procedure by listening to music or watching a TV in the clinic. Some dentists even have televisions situated in the ceiling, which patients can watch during their treatment.
After the extraction, a blood clot will form in the tooth socket. Do not spit out the blood clot, which could dislodge it and lead to complications. You can control pain by taking over-the-counter or prescription medication from your doctor or oral surgeon. Using an ice pack can also reduce pain and swelling.
If the pain, bleeding or swelling doesn’t improve after a few days, contact your oral surgeon. You might need antibiotics to treat an infection.