Is wisdom tooth removal considered major surgery?

Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Considered Major Surgery? ‍

When you think of a major surgery, wisdom tooth removal is most likely not the first thing that pops into your head. However, that couldn’t be farther from the truth!

Removing a wisdom tooth requires rest and some at-home care in order to make sure your body heals properly. In fact, you may even need to skip the gym or strenuous physical activity for a few days!

Keep on reading to understand why wisdom tooth removal is a more serious procedure than you may have thought.
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What Happens After a Wisdom Tooth Extraction?‍

After the dentist removes the wisdom tooth out of its socket, they will ask you to bite down on a piece of gauze, which will help form a blood clot.

The blood clot is the first step of healing and has the very important role of protecting the bone, nerves, and other tissues. Unfortunately, that clot is also vulnerable to dislodging, in which case all the tissues underneath are exposed.

This is a post-extraction complication called “dry socket”, which can cause extreme levels of pain and discomfort. Moreover, dry socket can delay healing, so it’s very important to protect the blood clot and keep it in place.
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Post Wisdom Tooth Extraction Care‍

If you’re about to get a wisdom tooth extracted, your oral surgeon will provide you with lots of at-home care tips that are tailored to your specific case.

In general, these tips can include:

• Don’t touch the clot - Be it with your tongue, finger, toothbrush, or even food, you need to avoid touching the blood clot for a few days. This means eating soft foods on the other side of the mouth for about a week, and not brushing directly on the extraction site.

• Maintain good oral hygiene - You cannot brush directly over the extraction site, but you still need to clean your mouth every single day. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss. For a more thorough cleaning, you can cleanse the mouth with saline water or gentle mouthwash starting a few days after the surgery.

• Take a break - Working out can increase blood pressure, which in turn leads to the possibility of bleeding and dislodging the clot. You should take a few days off from the gym, and don’t do any physically strenuous activity at home or at work either.

• Don’t smoke - Smoking increases blood pressure, but it can also delay healing quite a bit, so try to avoid it while healing from a wisdom tooth extraction.

• Don’t use a straw or spit - Drinking through a straw and spitting create a suction motion that can dislodge the blood clot, so they are best avoided for a few days.
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Wisdom Teeth Extractions at Westside Dental Studio‍

If you think your wisdom tooth needs an extraction, Dr. Chelsea Dean is here to help with compassionate and safe dental care.

Book an appointment at Westside Dental Studio online!