Teeth are blocking others from coming in. Baby teeth have not fallen out to give space for permanent teeth. Tooth has decayed past the point of salvaging. A decayed tooth presents a risk of infection to the rest of the mouth. A need to create space before an orthodontic treatment.

Let your doctor know about any allergies or general health issues you may have, in particular any problems relating to your heart or blood. Local anesthetics can sometimes cause reactions with certain medicines.

If you’re having your wisdom teeth taken out, the oral surgeon will take a panoramic x-ray, which takes a picture of all of your teeth. This is especially important if the wisdom teeth are impacted and may require delicate work around the jaw.

You may be able to get a friend or family member to drive you. If possible, find someone who can stay with you after the surgery. Getting a ride with a taxi or ride service is probably not the best option.

The standard amount of time to fast before surgery is eight to 12 hours, but your doctor should let you know how long is necessary. At the very least, you should not drink or eat anything after midnight. If you are diabetic or take any prescribed medicines, follow your normal routine. Verify this with your oral surgeon before doing so.

If you have any illness up to a week prior to the surgery, tell your oral surgeon. They may want to reschedule your appointment until you are better.

Local anesthetics are used when one tooth needs to be extracted, while general anesthetics are more common when multiple teeth are being removed. The oral surgeon may give you an intravenous anesthetic, so wear short sleeves that can be easily rolled up.

A simple extraction can be done by your regular dentist, who removes a tooth that can be seen in the mouth. They will loosen your tooth with a tool called an elevator and remove it with forceps. A surgical extraction is done by an oral surgeon, though it can be done by your regular dentist. In this type of extraction, your tooth is either not above the gum line or has broken off. They cut into your gum and often remove some of the nearby bone to get to the tooth. These teeth sometimes have to be removed in pieces.

If your oral surgeon uses stitches that are not dissolvable, then you will likely have a follow-up appointment where they remove your stitches.

People who smoke. People with bad oral hygiene. People getting their wisdom teeth extracted. People who use birth control. People with a history of dry socket. People who do not follow the surgeon’s post-op instructions.

If heavy bleeding continues after you use the gauze a few times, contact your oral surgeon.

When you brush your teeth, be extremely careful around the extraction site. You don’t want to dislodge the blood clot and cause dry socket. Also, do not use straws, smoke, or do anything else that causes sucking, since this can also dislodge the blood clot.

It’s also important to keep your head elevated to help with the healing process. Sleep with your head above your heart, either by using stacked pillows or wedge pillows.

Use 1/4 teaspoon of salt in an 8 oz glass of water. You can do this two to three times daily to help keep your mouth clean.

Swelling will likely not be at its worst until two to three days after surgery. Continue to apply ice to the affected area as long as it’s needed. Don’t worry if you see any bruises in the swollen area. This is absolutely normal and they will go away in a few days.

If the pain medication causes nausea, tell your oral surgeon. They may be able to prescribe something different or have an over-the-counter suggestion.

Stay away from hot and foods, since they can also irritate the extraction site. Stick to foods that are room temperature. Small foods, such as rice, nuts, seeds, and popcorn can become lodged in the extraction site as well, so do not eat them while recovering.

Excessive bleeding Swelling after three to four days Persistent numbness Issues with pain medication