Wisdom teeth removal surgery is the most common type of oral procedure performed by an oral surgeon each year.
This routine procedure can bring an abundance of stress and anxiety to the patient as they anticipate what is to come.
You may find yourself wondering, “how to sleep after wisdom teeth removal?” Following the tips outlined below by Polysleep will help you tremendously in reducing pain and discomfort following your surgical procedure.
How are wisdom teeth removed?
Wisdom teeth removal is a surgical procedure performed in a dental office by an oral surgeon. During the procedure, the oral surgeon will make a small incision in the gum tissue to expose the tooth and bone in the area.
He/she will then remove bones as needed if the root of the tooth is blocked. Once there is a fully visible field, your oral surgeon will extract the tooth either in one full motion or divide it into sections if this route is easier and safer to remove the entire tooth and root.
Before your appointment to have this procedure done, your oral surgeon will help you in determining the best option for you regarding anesthesia: conscious sedation or being placed under local anesthesia via intravenous medication or in pill form.
Conscious sedation is achieved through medication administered before the start of the procedure. While it may seem scary to be awake during the procedure, the medication makes it to where you will not feel pain during the procedure. That said, you might experience pressure.
How long does wisdom teeth swelling last?
Swelling following a wisdom tooth extraction is extremely common and often lasts several days to weeks following the procedure.
For most, visible swelling subsides within the first 72 hours. However, it is not uncommon for it to take a few weeks for all swelling to fully dissipate.
You will be given instructions for taking an anti-inflammatory medication following your procedure. You must follow these instructions as they are given to you, regardless of if you cannot see visible swelling or not.
It is always recommended to consult with your oral surgeon if you are experiencing swelling for more than the time allotted on your discharge paperwork or if you are experiencing any swelling that you feel is abnormal.
5 tips to sleep after wisdom teeth removal
Following wisdom teeth surgery, you will be sent home with discharge paperwork, prescription medications, and specific instructions on when, how, and how much of the medication to take. You must follow these instructions as they are written for pain medication. You might feel like you can “tough it out”, but this will only make the healing process worse.
During the first 24 hours following your wisdom tooth extraction surgery, it is recommended to sleep with your head elevated due to an increase in blood and drainage from the incision site.
The Polysleep pillow and Polysleep wedge pillow are two exceptional options for keeping you elevated throughout the night. If you are unsure of the degree you need from your pillow, the Polysleep pillow is fully customizable as you can easily add or remove layers to achieve the desired height.
Applying ice to your jaw area following wisdom teeth removal surgery is recommended in increments of 10 to 20 minutes to help reduce pain and swelling.
Lying flat on your back, especially after wisdom tooth removal, can increase the risk of swelling and intensify the pain you feel. The Polysleep wedge pillow can keep you both elevated and comfortable while you are side sleeping following your procedure.
After a wisdom tooth removal surgery, you will be sent home with detailed post-operative instructions detailing when to take your medication, how to sleep, recommendations on what to eat, and what to be on the lookout for in regards to “abnormal” healing. Following these instructions closely will help you in the healing process tremendously.
Wisdom teeth: frequently asked questions
There are a total of 4 wisdom teeth, one in each corner of the mouth. However, not everyone has all 4 teeth grown in or removed.
Following wisdom teeth removal, your oral surgeon will stitch together your incision using dissolvable stitches. It can take up to 6 weeks for the holes to heal fully, and or the stitches to dissolve.
Wisdom tooth extraction cost can vary from person to person depending on the type of anesthesia used, how many wisdom teeth are removed, where it is performed, and if insurance is used or not.
Takeaway
It can be scary to think about having your wisdom teeth removed. However, this commonly practiced procedure is nothing to fear. Following the detailed discharge paperwork provided to you and the recommended tips mentioned above by Polysleep will help you heal quickly and comfortably.
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