Possible Wisdom Teeth Extraction Complications

If your dentist has suggested that you have your wisdom teeth removed in marin country california, it is important to understand why they are making this recommendation, what potential complications associated with this procedure are, and what steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing these complications.

The most common complications that can occur following extraction of wisdom teeth include:

• Pain and Swelling: Following extraction of your wisdom teeth, you can expect mild to severe pain. The severity of pain will be determined in part by how long surgery takes as well as your pain threshold. Ice can be used to reduce swelling, and over-the-counter pain-relieving medications can help reduce pain.
• Dry Socket: One of the reasons it is so important to closely follow aftercare instructions, which includes eating soft foods and avoiding smoking or using a straw, is that failure to do so places you at an increased of developing a dry socket, which typically develops three to five days after the procedure. Dry socket symptoms include an unpleasant taste or smell in the area as well as throbbing pain.
• Excessive Bleeding: While it is common to experience some bleeding following wisdom tooth extraction, failing to properly follow aftercare instructions significantly increases your risk of having excessive bleeding.
• Limited Mouth Opening: Patients may have limited ability to open their mouth following wisdom tooth extraction, especially if the procedure is extensive. There are several methods of treating this issue, include jaw opening devices, muscle relaxants, pain medications, and heat therapy.
• Lip Numbness: Although extremely unlikely, there is a small chance that the alveolar nerve, which runs through the jaw, can become damaged during the wisdom tooth extraction process. If the nerve does become damaged, 96% of patients will have the issue naturally resolve within two months. Again, there is very low risk of this occurring, but it is important to be aware of every possible complication before committing to surgery.

While there is some risk involved in having wisdom teeth extracted, these risks are outweighed by patients increased risk of developing the following if wisdom teeth are not removed:

• Crowded/misaligned teeth
• Impacted teeth
• Teeth grow in sideway
• Tooth decay
• Infections
• Periodontal disease
• Formation of cysts and tumors

Proper Aftercare Reduces Risk of Complications

Following the removal of your wisdom teeth, it is important to follow aftercare instructions as closely as possible to avoid developing complications, such as dry socket, pain and swelling, limited mouth opening, and/or excessive bleeding. One of the most important steps you can take to ensure a fast recovery and reduced risk of complications is to stay hydrated and eat a modified diet for the first few days, and possibly longer, depending on how many teeth were removed and your body’s natural healing process. By sticking to liquid or soft foods immediately following extraction of your wisdom teeth, you will avoid irritating the extraction site, which in turn will reduce your overall pain, reduce your risk of developing complications, and speed up the healing process.

More on Wisdom Teeth : Impacted Wisdom Teeth