When many people think of having their wisdom teeth extracted, the word “pain” immediately comes to mind, and some even develop fear and resistance towards tooth extraction as a result. In fact, through scientific methods and thorough preparation, it is entirely possible to effectively alleviate the pain caused by wisdom tooth extraction. Next, I will introduce to you in detail the practical methods to alleviate the pain of wisdom tooth extraction from three important stages: before the operation, during the operation and after the operation.
Preoperative preparation: Lay a solid foundation and plan ahead
Choose the appropriate dentist and hospital
Extracting wisdom teeth may seem simple, but in fact, it is an oral surgery with high technical requirements. Dentists vary in their technical proficiency and experience. Choosing a professional and experienced dentist can significantly reduce the surgical risks and minimize the pain during and after the operation. You can find a suitable dentist in the following ways: Check the dentist’s qualification certificate to ensure that they have the relevant professional qualifications in oral and maxillofacial surgery; View patients’ evaluations and feedback on dentists on formal medical evaluation platforms. Consult friends and relatives around you who have had their wisdom teeth extracted to obtain genuine medical experiences and recommendations.
At the same time, the environment and facilities of hospitals or clinics are also of vital importance. Regular dental hospitals and large chain clinics are usually equipped with advanced examination equipment and surgical instruments, and their disinfection procedures are standardized, which can effectively prevent postoperative infections and reduce pain. For instance, digital oral CT can help doctors have a clearer and more accurate understanding of the growth of wisdom teeth, formulate more reasonable tooth extraction plans, and reduce unnecessary trauma.
A comprehensive physical examination and communication
Before tooth extraction, the doctor will arrange a comprehensive oral examination and necessary full-body examinations. Oral examinations include X-rays, oral CT scans, etc. These tests can help doctors understand the location, shape, and relationship with surrounding tissues of wisdom teeth, and assess the difficulty and risk of tooth extraction. A comprehensive physical examination is conducted to rule out systemic diseases that may affect tooth extraction, such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and blood system disorders.
Patients must truthfully inform the doctor of their medical history and medication use. For example, patients who are taking anticoagulant drugs need to stop taking the medicine or adjust the medication plan under the guidance of a doctor to reduce the risk of bleeding during tooth extraction. Patients with hypertension should keep their blood pressure within an appropriate range before tooth extraction. Otherwise, an increase in blood pressure during the operation may lead to bleeding or other complications, increasing pain and risks.
Besides, it is also very important to communicate fully with the doctor. You can ask the doctor in detail about the specific process of tooth extraction, possible situations and the recovery process after the operation, and make mental preparations in advance. If you are highly sensitive to pain, you can also discuss with your doctor whether it is suitable to use comfortable anesthesia methods, such as nitrous oxide inhalation sedation or general intravenous anesthesia.
Adjust one’s mental state
Many people’s fear of having their wisdom teeth extracted can, to a certain extent, amplify the feeling of pain. Before having a tooth extracted, you can relax by listening to music, taking deep breaths, chatting with friends and other ways. You can also search online for some successful tooth extraction cases and experience sharing to learn how others smoothly went through the tooth extraction process and boost your own confidence. If you are really nervous, you can ensure adequate sleep the day before the tooth extraction to keep your body and mind in a good state.
Get well prepared for life
The day before tooth extraction, choose nutritious and easily digestible foods for your diet. Avoid having the extraction on an empty stomach to prevent discomfort such as hypoglycemia during the operation. At the same time, do not drink alcohol. Alcohol can dilate blood vessels and increase the risk of bleeding during the operation. On the day of tooth extraction, wear loose and comfortable clothes to facilitate adjusting your posture during the operation. In addition, prepare the items that may be needed after the operation, such as ice packs, painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, soft foods, etc.
Intraoperative cooperation: Actively collaborate to reduce discomfort
Trust the doctor and relax your body
After entering the operating room, fully trust the doctor’s professional ability and believe that the doctor will complete the operation with the most professional techniques and the most cautious attitude. Try to relax your body and avoid excessive tension that may cause muscle stiffness and affect the doctor’s operation. If you feel nervous during the operation, you can regulate your emotions through deep breathing and other means. You can also communicate with your doctor and ask them to offer some psychological comfort and guidance.
Cooperate with the anesthesia operation
Anesthesia is a key step in reducing pain during tooth extraction. When undergoing anesthesia, follow the doctor’s instructions, maintain the correct posture and keep your mouth open. Local anesthesia usually involves injecting anesthetic drugs around the gums. During the injection, there may be a slight stinging sensation, but this pain is typically short-lived and tolerable. If you feel pain or discomfort during the anesthesia process, inform the doctor in time. The doctor will adjust the anesthesia method or dosage according to the situation.
For patients who are particularly sensitive to pain, a comfortable anesthesia method can be chosen. Nitrous oxide inhalation sedation is achieved by inhaling a gas mixed with nitrous oxide and oxygen, allowing patients to relax in a conscious state and reducing feelings of tension and pain. Intravenous general anesthesia involves injecting drugs intravenously to enable the patient to complete the surgery unconsciously, with no sensation or pain throughout the process. However, comfort-based anesthesia needs to be evaluated based on the patient’s physical condition to choose the method that suits them.
Maintain the correct posture and cooperation during the operation
During the tooth extraction process, it is necessary to maintain the correct mouth opening posture and head position as required by the doctor. Do not move your head at will or swallow saliva. Random movements may affect the doctor’s operation, leading to prolonged operation time, increased trauma and pain. If some unexpected situations occur during the operation, such as the fracture of the wisdom tooth root, don’t panic. The doctor will have corresponding handling methods. Just cooperate actively with the doctor to complete the operation.
Postoperative care: Scientific care to accelerate recovery
Compression hemostasis and cold compress
After tooth extraction, the doctor will place a cotton ball or gauze at the wound site and have the patient bite it tightly to apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Generally, it is necessary to hold the cotton ball tightly for 30 to 40 minutes. Do not remove it too early, otherwise it may cause rebleeding. Within 24 hours after the operation, you can apply a cold compress to the side of the extracted tooth with an ice pack or a cold towel for 15 to 20 minutes each time, with an interval of 1 to 2 hours. Cold compress can cause local blood vessels to concontract, reduce exudation, and thereby alleviate swelling and pain.
Reasonable diet
Avoid eating within two hours after the operation. After two hours, you can have some warm, cool and soft foods, such as rice porridge, soft noodles, yogurt, tofu, etc. Avoid eating overly hot, hard, spicy or irritating foods. These foods can irritate the wound, aggravate pain and swelling, and may also cause bleeding. Within one week after the operation, try to avoid chewing food on the side where the tooth was extracted to prevent food residue from entering the wound and causing infection. As the wound gradually heals, one can gradually transition to a normal diet, but still avoid excessive chewing of hard foods within a month.
Oral hygiene maintenance
Do not brush your teeth or rinse your mouth within 24 hours after the operation to avoid disrupting the blood clot and causing bleeding. After 24 hours, you can gently rinse your mouth with clean water or the mouthwash recommended by your doctor to keep your mouth clean and remove food residues. When rinsing your mouth, do not rinse vigorously to avoid creating negative pressure that may cause blood clots to fall off. Within one week after the operation, when brushing your teeth, be gentle and avoid the extraction wound. After the wound has initially healed, resume the normal way of brushing teeth.
Take medicine on time
Doctors usually prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers according to the patients’ conditions. It is essential to take the medicine strictly as prescribed by the doctor on time and in the prescribed dosage. Anti-inflammatory drugs can prevent wound infection, and painkillers can relieve pain. Do not stop taking the medicine or increase or decrease the dosage by yourself. If any adverse reactions occur during the medication process, such as rash, nausea, vomiting, etc., inform the doctor in time.
Take care to rest.
After the operation, it is necessary to ensure adequate sleep and avoid overwork and strenuous exercise. Excessive fatigue and intense exercise may lead to elevated blood pressure, increase the risk of bleeding from wounds, and are also not conducive to physical recovery. You can do some light activities appropriately, such as taking a walk, etc., but avoid standing for a long time or bending over.
Closely observe the condition of the wound
After the operation, it is necessary to closely monitor the condition of the tooth extraction wound. If there is a small amount of bleeding at the wound site, it is a normal phenomenon. You can apply pressure to stop the bleeding by biting a cotton ball or gauze tightly. However, if there is excessive bleeding, severe pain that cannot be relieved by painkillers, or a foul smell in the mouth and other abnormal conditions, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly. This could indicate complications such as infection or dry socket syndrome, which require corresponding treatment by a doctor.
Conclusion
Reducing the pain of wisdom tooth extraction requires thorough preparation and scientific care at all stages from before, during to after the operation. As long as we choose the right dentist and hospital, make good physical and mental preparations, actively cooperate with the doctor during the operation, and strictly follow the postoperative care requirements, we can effectively reduce the pain caused by wisdom tooth extraction and smoothly get through the recovery period. If you have any questions or concerns during the tooth extraction process, communicate with the doctor at any time. The doctor will provide you with professional advice and assistance.
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