There’s no need to worry about birth control after wisdom teeth removal – you can just relax and enjoy your newfound freedom from contraception!
Introduction
It’s generally safe to take birth control pills after wisdom teeth removal, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, if you’re taking birth control pills that contain estrogen, you may be at a higher risk for developing blood clots. Therefore, it’s important to follow your dentist or surgeon’s recommendations regarding when to start taking the pills again. Secondly, if you’re taking birth control pills that contain progesterone only (such as the mini-pill), you may be at a higher risk for developing an infection after wisdom teeth removal. Therefore, it’s important to talk to your dentist or surgeon about whether or not you should continue taking the pill after your procedure.
What is wisdom teeth removal?
Wisdom teeth removal is a common surgical procedure to remove the wisdom teeth — the four permanent adult teeth located at the back corners of your mouth on top and bottom.
Wisdom teeth typically erupt (break through the gums) in your late teens or early twenties. For some people, this happens without any problems. But for others, wisdom teeth can become impacted — meaning they grow in at an angle and become stuck under the gum tissue or bone. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, infection, and other dental problems.
If your wisdom teeth are causing problems or if they’re likely to cause problems in the future, your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend that they be removed.
Why you might need to stop taking birth control after wisdom teeth removal
Your body changes a lot during your teenage years. One of those changes is an increase in the number of wisdom teeth. For some people, their wisdom teeth come in without any problems. But for others, the teeth can become impacted, meaning they don’t have enough room to erupt through the gum tissue.
When this happens, your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend that you have your wisdom teeth removed. If you’re taking birth control pills, you might be wondering if you need to stop taking them during or after the procedure. Here’s what you need to know.
Birth control pills contain hormones that can affect the way your body heals from surgery. For that reason, it’s generally recommended that you stop taking birth control pills at least two weeks before having wisdom teeth removed. If you can’t stop taking the pills that far in advance, talk to your dentist or oral surgeon about other options for contraception during and after your surgery.
After your wisdom teeth are removed, it’s important to take care of your mouth while it heals. That means avoiding tobacco products, drinking plenty of water, and eating soft foods. You should also avoid using straws and brushing your teeth vigorously. All of these things can disrupt the healing process and increase your risk for complications like infection.
How to stop taking birth control after wisdom teeth removal
There are a few things to consider before stopping your birth control after wisdom teeth removal, such as the type of surgery you’re having and the type of birth control you’re taking.
If you’re having a simple extraction, where the tooth is removed whole, then you can continue taking your birth control as normal.
However, if you’re having surgery to remove impacted wisdom teeth, where the tooth is broken up into pieces before being removed, you’ll need to take a break from your birth control. This is because the hormones in birth control can increase the risk of developing a blood clot during surgery.
The length of time you need to stop taking birth control will depend on the type of surgery you’re having. For simple extractions, you only need to stop taking your birth control for 24 hours afterwards. For more complex surgery, such as removal of impacted wisdom teeth, you’ll need to stop taking your birth control for 1-2 weeks afterwards.
If you’re not sure how long you need to stop taking your birth control after wisdom teeth removal, ask your dentist or surgeon.
Risks of not stopping taking birth control after wisdom teeth removal
You should ALWAYS check with your doctor before stopping or starting any medication, even birth control. While the risks of not stopping taking birth control after wisdom teeth removal are low, they are real, and you need to be aware of them.
If you are taking birth control pills, the Patch or the Ring, and you have wisdom teeth removed while you are still actively taking the medication, there is a small risk that you could develop a condition called thrombophlebitis. This is a blood clotting disorder that could potentially be life-threatening.
Another risk of not stopping taking birth control after wisdom teeth removal is that the anesthesia used during the surgery could interact with the hormones in your birth control and cause nausea and vomiting.
The risks of not stopping taking birth control after wisdom teeth removal are small, but they are real. It is always best to err on the side of caution and check with your doctor before making any decisions about your medications.
FAQs
Q: I’m scheduled for a wisdom tooth extraction. Should I stop taking birth control pills prior to the procedure?
A: There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that taking birth control pills increases the risk of complications during wisdom tooth extractions. However, some oral surgeons may recommend that you stop taking birth control pills for a few days before and after the procedure, just to be on the safe side. If you have any concerns, be sure to talk to your oral surgeon before having your wisdom teeth removed.
Conclusion
There is no medical reason to stop taking birth control after wisdom teeth removal, but you may want to consider it for other reasons. If you experience any side effects from the anesthesia or pain medication, it’s best to avoid taking birth control pills until you recover. You may also want to use another method of contraception during this time if you are concerned about missing a pill.
