Wisdom Tooth Removal in Rhode Island

You’ll want to take it easy for the first few days after an extraction. Some bleeding is normal for the first 72 hours, but if bleeding is excessive or doesn’t stop, let Dr. English know. The most important part of the healing process is facilitating the formation of a blood clot. Here are some tips to remember during your healing:

• Change the gauze as needed, however try to leave it in place for 20-30 minutes at a time. Constant pressure will stop the bleeding.
• Stick to soft foods for the first few days after your extraction, and chew on the opposite side of your mouth.
• Don’t use straws; the suction can dislodge the blood clot and lead to dry socket.
• Don’t smoke. Smoking creates the same oral pressure as using a straw and all tobacco products release harmful chemicals that can slow down the healing process.
• To manage pain or swelling, you can take over-the-counter pain medication as per Dr. English’s recommendations, and apply a cold-compress to your cheek.

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After a routine extraction, you can resume exercise in 3-4 days. More complex procedures, like impacted wisdom teeth, may require up to 1 week of rest.

During the surgery itself, you will feel absolutely no pain or discomfort. Your mouth will be fully numb before we begin the procedure, and at RI Oral Surgery & Implant Center, we offer a wide variety of sedation options, ranging from minimal nitrous sedation to IV sedation and general anesthesia. 

However, after your treatment is over, you may experience some pain and discomfort near the extraction site. This is normal, and will usually peak and then begin to fade within a day or two. If Dr. Ray English prescribes pain relievers, fill your prescription and take them as directed. 

Otherwise, you can follow his recovery instructions and do things like ice the outside of your cheek near the affected area and take over-the-counter pain medicine to help with your pain and discomfort.

Yes. While it’s not nearly as complicated as some other types of oral surgery like jaw surgery, wisdom teeth removal is still considered to be a major surgery. After your surgery, you should plan to take a day or two off of work, and you’ll need to follow some special instructions from Dr. English to make sure you heal and recover properly.

We do not recommend immediately returning to work. Depending on the type of sedation you choose during your appointment at our office, returning to work on the same day that you get treatment may be impractical or impossible. And, even if it is possible, it’s not a good idea. We recommend taking at least one day off of work after your surgery, and two days or more if possible.

Taking time off of work after wisdom teeth removal ensures that you can heal properly at home and follow your recovery instructions. If your job involves a lot of physical exertion and activity, it’s even more important to take some time off after your surgery.

If you have chosen IV sedation or general anesthesia, you will need to fast (avoid eating or drinking) up to 8 hours before your procedure. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your appointment, and make sure you have someone to drive you to and from RI Oral Surgery & Implant Center.

In addition to this, we recommend stocking up on soft, easy-to-eat foods that you can consume after your wisdom tooth extraction. You’ll need to eat a mostly soft diet for at least a week, so stock up on things like yogurt, pudding, ice cream, eggs, soup, and similar foods.

This depends on the type of anesthesia you choose. Nitrous oxide or local anesthesia won’t put you to sleep. You will be alert and awake throughout the entire procedure. However, after IV sedation or general anesthesia, you will be asleep with usually little to no recollection of the procedure.