Dentists recommend extraction when wisdom teeth are painful, inconvenient, or infected. The surgical procedure occurs under anesthesia and is somewhat painless.
While it is not advisable to start talking immediately after wisdom teeth removal, you should be able to control what you say. Notable post-extraction side effects may include pains, swellings, and jaw stiffness, which should be relieved by medications.
Speech Control After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Speech control after wisdom teeth removal varies depending on your dentist’s choice of anesthesia. However, your dentists or oral surgeons will only allow you to leave the clinic when you have attained a significant level of awareness.
This means you do not have to worry about saying something you should not after wisdom teeth removal. You should also avoid talking for at least 24 hours after the surgery to speed up blood clot formation and the overall healing process.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction Anesthetic Options
1. Local Anesthesia
Local anesthesia is mostly used during wisdom teeth removal. This is because it numbs the extraction site (by stopping pain signals from getting to the brain) and boasts a quick recovery time.
A local anesthetic like lidocaine can be introduced topically or via injection and will not put you to sleep or render you unconscious. In other words, you will be in control of everything you do during and after the surgery.
2. General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is rarely used in wisdom teeth removal. It becomes essential if the procedure gets too complicated or stressful for you.
General anesthesia can be administered using intravenous (IV) or inhalation medications (or both). Unlike local anesthesia, this option renders you unconscious until extraction is completed. In other words, the whole procedure will feel like you took a nap and woke up.
There is also a high chance of not remembering anything from the procedure when placed on general anesthesia. Effects of general anesthesia often wear off 48 hours after wisdom removal.
3. Sedation
In cases of extreme anxiety and nervousness, sedation may be essential. Depending on the medication employed and dosage, sedation may be mild, moderate, or heavy.
Mild Sedation
Mild sedation usually involves a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas) administered via a wearable mask. You will remain conscious under this medication but in a relaxed state. This sedation wears off quickly after the procedure.
Moderate Sedation
Moderate sedation or intravenous (IV) sedation makes use of IV medications and conditions you in a “twilight” state — a state of partial consciousness.
Moderation sedation is a bit similar to general anesthesia. You may likely not remember what happened during the surgery.
Heavy Sedation
Deep or heavy sedation also employs similar medications used in general anesthesia. The only difference is that it does not render you completely unconscious.
Instead, you are placed in a very low state of arousal and will not respond to most stimuli. You may likely have no idea of what went on during the surgery too.
Possible Side Effects
Wisdom teeth removal is often painless thanks to anesthesia. However, after the procedure, the effects of this medication will wear off gradually and you may experience side effects like:
- Headaches
- Muscle spasm
- Pain at the tooth removal site
- Feeling sick or vomiting – occurs almost immediately after the surgery
- Cold – may last a few minutes or hours
- Confusion or memory loss – usually temporary and more common in older people
- Dizziness or blurred vision – fluid will be administered to treat this
Recovery Tips
- Avoid talking for at least 24 hours. This is essential to speed up the healing of the extraction site.
- You should also keep the gauze on the site until it stops bleeding completely. This is necessary for blood clots to form.
- Get some sleep and let your body recover gradually. Do this for at least 48 hours after the surgery. You can also prop your head with a pillow while resting to avoid swelling.
- Steer clear of smoking until the extraction site is completely healed. Smoking increases your chance of infections or complications and delays recovery.
- Apply ice gently and regularly on your face throughout the first day to reduce inflammation.
- Stick to your medications and take them as directed by the dentist. They are mostly pain medications, hence, skipping a schedule can hinder your healing process.
- After the wisdom teeth removal, your dentist will advise you to drink a lot of water. You are also free to eat whenever you feel like but don’t start with hard or foods with seeds. Instead, eat soft foods like yogurt, smoothies, and puddings until the extraction site is completely healed.
When To Call Your Dentist?
You should call your dentist or oral surgeon if you experience any of the following symptoms that don’t get better with medication:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Excessive bleeding
- Swelling that worsens daily
- Fever
- Pus coming from the socket
- Blood in nasal discharge
- Recurrent numbness or loss of sensation
- A bad taste in your mouth is not nullified by saltwater rinsing
Summary
Without anesthesia, wisdom teeth removal would be a very painful procedure. Anesthesia makes the whole experience smooth but on the other hand, may come with slight side effects.
Nevertheless, the procedure is not scary and in most cases, you have full control over what you say. In special cases where heavy sedation or general anesthesia is required, you will only be allowed to leave the clinic when you are conscious.
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