Are you about to undergo wisdom teeth surgery at a dental practice in Switzerland? Rest assured, this is a routine surgical procedure for dentists. It requires anaesthesia on the day and compliance with certain recommendations for a speedy recovery. This can vary from 3 days to over a week, depending on the case. HELVIDENT reports on wisdom teeth extraction and shares his tips for a speedy recovery.
What are third molars for?
Wisdom teeth are also known as third molars. They are the last teeth to grow in, usually between the ages of 17 and 21. There are 4 of them, emerging at the back of the jaws, at each end of the upper and lower arch.
For the record, wisdom teeth are the remnants of our great ape ancestors. They facilitated the chewing of plants and raw meat. Over the course of evolution, the size of the human brain has increased, leading to a reduction in the size of the jaw. As a result, wisdom teeth often no longer have room to grow properly, necessitating their extraction.
In fact, dentists from Lausanne to Fribourg are increasingly noticing the absence of wisdom teeth in young patients. Another sign of human evolution! In concrete terms, third molars are no longer of any use to us, since our diet has changed. They will disappear in future generations.
The day of wisdom teeth surgery
Has your dentist recommended the removal of your third molars? This surgical procedure is performed on an ambulatory basis. This means that the patient is in and out of the treatment facility on the same day. So you won't need to stay overnight.
The easiest cases require only local anaesthetic or light sedation. The patient is placed in the dental chair. The procedure takes around 30 minutes, depending on the number of wisdom teeth to be removed. When anesthesia is required, the recovery time is much longer. The patient is then transferred to a recovery room. During the pre-operative consultation, ask your dentist about the type of anesthesia you plan to use.
Immediately after wisdom teeth surgery, you slowly regain sensation in your mouth. Do you feel pain, bleeding or swelling in your oral cavity? Nothing could be more normal on the first day. Your dentist will prescribe medication to relieve the pain that follows the extraction of your third molars. You can use an ice pack as soon as you leave the dental surgery.
Even if it's not compulsory, it's best to be accompanied home by someone close to you. This is simply a precaution after surgery. Be aware that you won't be able to drive for several hours after anesthesia.
Recovery at home
To recover properly and quickly after this type of operation, certain tips are in order.
Feeding
After any surgery, it's important to keep well nourished and hydrated. That said, don't worry if you notice a temporary loss of appetite the evening after wisdom teeth surgery. For the first three days, stick to soft foods that are easy to eat without over-chewing. For example: soup, purée, smoothie, compote or cottage cheese. The aim is to avoid damaging the stitches and promote blood coagulation.
Avoid using straws and drinking :
- coffee
- tobacco
- alcohol
- hard foods that can get stuck (nuts, seeds, etc.)
- very hot food or drinks
You can switch to a normal diet as soon as you feel your mouth is ready.
Return to daily activities
Complete healing of the wound resulting from wisdom teeth extraction will take several months. The risk of developing an infection in the oral cavity remains present for several weeks. We therefore advise you to remain vigilant and call your dentist at the slightest complication:
- difficulty swallowing or breathing
- fever
- pain that prevents you from living normally
- edema worsens instead of improving
- nausea
- bleeding or discharge of pus from the nose
- bleeding in the mouth
However, you can return to your daily life the day after the operation. All you need to do is avoid activities or sports that could cause a shock to the mouth. If this happens, consult a dental surgeon in an emergency to have the stitches checked.
Finally, follow your doctor's instructions for tooth brushing, interdental cleaning and rinsing.
At HELVIDENT dental clinics in Lausanne, Fribourg and Aigle, we perform all types of wisdom teeth operations. Contact us to make an appointment with one of our specialists.
