FAQ about wisdom teeth removal 

What happens if I don’t have my wisdom teeth removed?

As previously stated, the reason why impacted wisdom teeth are removed is to treat any current infection that they may be causing and/or to prevent any potential damage to the surrounding teeth. It is often the case that wisdom teeth will erupt and grow perpendicularly to the surrounding teeth, i.e. the second molars. If your wisdom teeth erupt sideways in this way, they can disrupt your bite and form an area for food and bacteria to collect, which may result in inflammation and infection that is often painful.

Some people may never get their wisdom teeth or they may never erupt. If wisdom teeth are left in without being checked by a dentist, there is a chance of them causing infection and issues arising if they damage the other teeth.

It is advised that you make an appointment to see your dentist if your wisdom teeth are causing any pain or discomfort, or if there is visible infection and inflammation of the gums surrounding them (this is usually indicated by pain, swelling and redness of the gums).

How long so I have to wait until I eat after having my wisdom teeth removed?

You should be able to start eating semi-soft foods within a few days after surgery, but if you experience any pain or discomfort, it is advised that you stick with soft foods until you feel you are well enough to move into harder foods. Bear in mind that pain killers can often mask any pain you may experience, so it is suggested that you wait a day or two until you eat semi-soft foods and at least a week until you eat chewy, crunchy or spicy foods. Most people tend to feel better within three days post-surgery, however, healing can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

How do I sleep after having my wisdom teeth removed?

In order for choking to be prevented while you are sleeping, you MUST REMOVE GAUZE when you sleep. When you want to sleep, prop your head and upper body up on a pillow or try sleeping on a reclining chair so as to prevent post-surgery bleeding. It is advised that you keep your head elevated for a day or two after surgery.

You should feel comfortable with lying on your side on the second day after surgery, however, it is best for you to keep your upper body as upright as possible even when sleeping on your side.

What kind of foods can I eat after I have had my wisdom teeth removed?

It is vital that you don’t skip any meals and try to maintain as much of a healthy diet as you can. The following are some soft food options that have some kind of nutrition to them:

• Custard
• Jelly
• Soft pudding
• Yoghurt
• Soup
• Mashed potatoes
• Smoothies (there are a number of different health smoothies you can make with fruits and vegetables)
• Oatmeal
• Porridge
• Ice cream (this is more of an indulgent food)

Should I take arnica to prevent swelling before my wisdom teeth removal surgery?

Arnica is a herb (used in homeopathic treatments) that is thought to control bruising, reduce pain and swelling in postoperative settings.  As such, many people take arnica (or more specifically arnica montana, perioperatively (before, during and after the procedure) when having wisdom teeth surgery.

Pain reduction linked to routine dental extractions has been found in placebo-controlled trials of homeopathic arnica^1,2,3, however dual double-blind randomized trials have shown no effect on pain, swelling or bleeding after the removal of impacted wisdom teeth^4,5.

 

 

^References

^{1. SAGE Journals. 2003. Homeopathic Arnica for Prevention of Pain and Bruising: Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial in Hand Surgery. Available: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/014107680309600203 [Accessed 15.03.2018]}

^{2. The JAMA Network. 1998. Efficacy of Homeopathic Arnica A Systematic Review of Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials. Available: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/211818 [Accessed 15.03.2018]}

^{3. NCBI. 2003. homoeopathic arnica for prevention of pain and bruising: randomized placebo-controlled trial in hand surgery. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC539394/ [Accessed 15.03.2018]}

^{4. NCBI. 1984. Metronidazole (Flagyl) and Arnica Montana in the prevention of post-surgical complications, a comparative placebo-controlled clinical trial. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6365158 [Accessed 15.03.2018]}

^{5. NCBI. 1995. Effect of homoeopathy on pain and other events after acute trauma: placebo controlled trial with bilateral oral surgery. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7613277/ [Accessed 15.03.2018]}