A wisdom teeth extraction Los Angeles procedure is high up on the list of adult dental procedures in California. The wisdom teeth are located in the back and appear between the ages of 17 and 25.
There are a number of reasons for the cause of pain and discomfort. For some, the jaws are not big enough to accommodate another set of molars. Wisdom teeth can also become impacted by the gums or other teeth causing excruciating pain. Gum disease and cavities can warrant molar removal when there is heavy damage.
Molars can grow at an odd angle and push on other teeth that may also need to be removed. The most common characteristic is tooth pain, and you should see your dentist immediately.
Pain prevention
In spite of common beliefs, the process of removing wisdom teeth isn’t very painful. Sayings like “I’d rather have my molars removed than do X or Y…” should not be taken at face value.
The process starts with local anesthesia with a shot of Novocaine to the gums. You can also breathe in laughing gas (nitrous oxide) to numb pain. Another way to prevent pain is through IV sedation where a needle is stuck in a vein in the arm.
This can be accompanied with a numbing injection in the mouth. General anesthesia is either IV sedation or breathable gas, and you will be asleep during the whole procedure.
Tooth removal procedure
The wisdom teeth extraction Los Angeles dentist will use sanitized tools and may have to cut your gums to open up the area for removal. If this happens, the dentist will stitch the wounds for faster healing.
The stitches used dissolve after a couple of days, and by then the wound has healed. After removing the tooth, the area will start bleeding, and the dentist can soak up the blood using gauze pads. Here is what you should do to after the procedure for faster healing.
Immediately after the removal
The gauze pad that the dentist used should be held in place for about 30 minutes to prevent bleeding. When 30 minutes are over, throw away the gauze.
Avoid running your tongue over the wound after the surgery so that the wound doesn’t reopen. Avoid vigorous cleaning and rinsing the mouth for the same reason. The pain medication should be taken when you start feeling some discomfort in the operated area which starts when the anesthesia starts wearing off. You can use an ice bag on the area to prevent swelling.
During the healing process
Bleeding is expected, and some slight oozing, bleeding, and redness of the saliva are normal. Excessive bleeding can be stopped by gauze pads. If it doesn’t improve, bite a moistened teabag over the area as the tannic acid in the tea will help forming the clot.
Pain is also normal after a wisdom tooth is removed. You can take one or two Tylenol tablets every 3-4 hours until the pain subsides. When it comes to diet, avoid hard foods and only eat soft foods away from the surgical area.
Take drinks using a glass and avoid straws because the sucking motion can reopen clots and cause bleeding.