Some young people have problems with wisdom teeth. This is because there is no room for them to fully emerge, so they sit in the mouth half covered by the gums. This can cause inflammation around the wisdom tooth; the gums swell and it is painful. If this happens several times, the wisdom tooth must be removed. In the upper jaw, this usually does not take very long, as the bone is very thin and the tooth can be gently pushed out. In the lower jaw the bone is thicker and it often takes a little more work to remove the tooth. If the tooth is not completely free of bone, surgery will be required to remove it.
This involves making a small incision in the gums, and pushing them aside to expose the tooth. It may be necessary to remove a small amount of bone around the tooth to free it. Once the tooth has been removed, the dentist makes a small stitch that is removed a week later.
Some tips for after the surgical removal of a wisdom tooth:
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For a week, rinse your mouth twice a day with chlorhexidine; do not brush your teeth 1 hour before or 1 hour after, since toothpaste destroys the properties of chlorhexidine. Chlorhexidine disinfects the mouth, removing approximately 80-90% of the bacteria in the oral cavity.
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During the first days after the procedure, painkillers may be necessary: for example, 600 mg Ibumetin 3 times a day.
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Eat soft foods - for example, yoghurt - for the first few days.
After an operation in the mouth, it is normal for some swelling to occur. An ice pack can help if applied immediately after the procedure. Leave the wound alone. Do not poke it with your tongue or fingers. It needs rest to heal quickly.