3 Steps That Will Help You Prepare For Wisdom Teeth Removal

If you just found out that you need to have your wisdom teeth removed, you're not alone. Statistics show that about 85% of people will need to have their wisdom teeth removed at some point in their life. Your dentist will provide you with vital information about the procedure. However, you'll still need to prepare yourself for the recovery period. Here are some steps you should take to prepare for wisdom teeth removal.

Arrange for a Ride Home

As soon as you schedule the appointment to have your wisdom teeth removed, you should arrange for a ride home. This is important whether you opt for local or general anesthesia. You're not going to feel like driving yourself home after surgery. Have a friend or family member accompany you to the dental office and wait for you during the procedure. This will ensure that your ride is ready and waiting when it's time for you to head home. You don't want to be left sitting in the waiting room right after surgery.

Prepare for the Pain

After your surgery, you're going to experience some pain. How much pain you experience will depend on your personal pain threshold, as well as how difficult your wisdom teeth were to extract. To make sure you're prepared for pain relief, you should arrange to pick up your prescriptions in advance. This will ensure that you have your medication on hand as soon as you get home from the dentist.

Alleviate the Swelling

In addition to the pain, you're also going to experience significant swelling in your face and jaw. Ice packs will help alleviate the swelling, and relieve the discomfort. Unfortunately, traditional ice packs don't always feel comfortable against your face after oral surgery. To provide comfortable relief for the swelling, make yourself a few homemade ice packs in advance.

You'll need several one-gallon resealable plastic baggies, water, and rubbing alcohol. Place two cups of water and one cup of rubbing alcohol in each plastic baggie. Seal them tightly and place them in the freezer. Leave them in the freezer until after your surgery. The rubbing alcohol will prevent the water from freezing to a solid state. Instead, you'll have ice packs that are the consistency of a soft icy slush. Place the ice packs on your face to relieve the swelling.

If you're about to have your wisdom teeth removed, you'll need to prepare for the procedure. Use the tips provided here to help you have a smooth recovery from oral surgery. For more information, talk to a professional like Family Medical Dental Center.

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