Q&A's

What can I Expect Before and After Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Wisdom teeth are generally removed because they do more damage than good. When left to erupt on their own, wisdom teeth may put pressure on the surrounding teeth, and cause them to shift out of position. Also, because they are hard to clean, wisdom teeth that are allowed to erupt may cause the teeth next to them to decay. For these reasons, most people have their wisdom teeth removed in their teens and early twenties.

PRE-OP INSTRUCTIONS: The night before your appointment, you will take a sedative (Ativan) that will help you get a restful night’s sleep. In the morning, please eat a very light breakfast, such as juice or coffee, and a half a piece of toast. Please avoid milk products for breakfast.

One hour before the appointment, you will need to take 2 pills: 1 Ativan (Lorazepam) to relax you, and 1 Compazine (Prochlorperazine) to help prevent nausea during the procedure. When you get to the office the Scheduling Coordinator will give your driver a “Triplicate Prescription Form” for Percocet (a narcotic pain medication). This will need to be taken to a local pharmacy, by a family member/friend, to be filled while you have your treatment done. We cannot call this medication in to the pharmacy, as its use is restricted by a federal agency.

Wisdom teeth extractions generally take about 1 hour. You will be escorted to the treatment room by a Registered Dental Assistant. She will make you comfortable, and will place a gray nose cone gently over your nose. This will deliver Nitrous Oxide (happy gas) and oxygen to you to soothe you during your procedure. It will probably make you feel a little dreamy or sleepy. You may also bring your favorite CD to listen to while you have your treatment done. It’s perfectly fine to doze off while your procedure is done.

When the doctor removes your wisdom teeth you should not feel any pain. You may feel a pulling or tugging sensation, but it should not hurt. If it does, please let the doctor or the assistant know.

HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS: Following the procedure, you will be taking one Percocet and one Compazine together for the next 24-48 hours. You will also want to plan to stay down and remain relatively quiet for the next three days so the extraction sites can begin to heal.

Even if you are not in pain, take the Percocet and Compazine together every 4-6 hours through the next couple of days. The reason for this is that once the pain becomes strongly evident, it is hard to get under control. After 48 hours, you may take the over-the-counter Tylenol or Motrin for minor pain. You shouldn’t need any pain medication after 1 week.

When you go home, you may feel like sleeping. Lie in a reclining position with an old pillow and towel under your head, as you may get blood on a pillowcase. Do not lie flat for the first 24 hours.

It is important that you keep food on your stomach for the next several days. You may eat soft foods such as yogurt, jello, ice cream, popsicles, pudding and soup. You may notice blood-tinged saliva when you spit. This is normal and will occur over the next three days. If heavy bleeding continues past the first hour, you can moisten a Lipton tea bag, place it over the extraction site, and bite on it for half an hour. If the bleeding does not stop after several hours, please call the office in Red Bluff, 527-7800 or in Redding, 243-6548. If it is after hours, you may call Dr. Moore on his cell phone, 200-2175 or Dr. Pascarella on his cell phone, 200-5801.

It is extremely important that you DO NOT DRINK THROUGH A STRAW for the first 24 hours, as this can dislodge the newly formed blood clot away from the bone, causing DRY SOCKET. It is also important that you do not smoke, rinse with water or mouthwash, chew food in the affected areas or disturb the extraction sites in any way for the first 24 hours. You may put salt water in your mouth and roll your head side to side, letting the water fall out of your mouth, but do not swish. After your sutures are removed the following week, we will give you a syringe with which you may irrigate the sites at home.

After the fourth and fifth days you should be getting better, although you may still have heavy swelling. If you are not better, or you have worsening pain, you may have a condition called “DRY SOCKET.” The incidence of dry socket is minimal. The symptoms of dry socket are a foul odor, worsening pain, and a bad taste. If you have these symptoms, you need to call the office right away. If we are not in, Dr. Moore and Dr. Pascarella’s cell phone numbers are listed above, and also on our answering machine. Medication will be placed directly in the extraction site that will make the pain go away immediately.

Normally, after the fourth or fifth day, the swelling begins to subside and you can return to normal activities. The extraction holes will take weeks to months to heal completely. You’re now on your way to complete recovery!