Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom Teeth

When wisdom teeth become impacted and cause infection or pain, they often need to be pulled. We go to great lengths to make sure the procedure is smooth and post-operative recovery is as quick as possible. To learn more, call Main Family Dental care today or request a wisdom tooth extraction consultation online today.

Wisdom Teeth Q&A

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth, or “third molars”, are pairs of teeth that come in behind your second molars on either side of your mouth, well after the rest of your permanent teeth have come in. You typically notice your wisdom teeth coming in during your young adult years, between the ages of 17 and 25.

Since they come in once the rest of your adult teeth are already in place, there often isn’t enough room for them. That’s why wisdom teeth are known for causing spacing issues and creating a host of oral health problems. In many cases, they need to be extracted.

Why do I need my wisdom teeth extracted?

Wisdom teeth can cause crowding or come in at an odd angle, which may lead to health problems and painful symptoms. Their overcrowding can create new pockets where bacteria from the food you eat can accumulate. It can then make flossing more difficult and allow plaque to build up.

Also, wisdom teeth that have become impacted and push up against bone and surrounding teeth can cause facial and jaw pain or swelling, not to mention infection. The longer you let the problem persist, the more damage wisdom teeth can cause to neighboring teeth and their roots.

How does wisdom tooth extraction work?

In order to extract your wisdom teeth, first, an incision is made in your gum line that exposes your wisdom teeth and the bone. Carefully, any bone that restricts access to the roots of the teeth is removed. If necessary, the tooth is divided into sections and removed piece-by-piece.

After removing the tooth, the treatment area is cleaned and rid of any remaining tooth or bone debris. Lastly, the incision is stitched to heal the wound and gauze is placed on the extraction site to control any bleeding.

What is the recovery from wisdom tooth extraction like?

Pain medication is prescribed along with plenty of rest after a wisdom tooth extraction. Your recovery can take anywhere from a couple of days up to a week or so. During that time, we closely monitor your recovery and you are welcome to call the office any time with questions or concerns.

Since your teeth will be very sensitive during recovery, you’ll have to stick to a diet of soft foods that are easy to eat. This may include items like:

• Yogurt
• Soup
• Ice cream
• Apple sauce
• Porridge
• Bananas

If you’re noticing complications with your wisdom teeth and would like a consultation regarding an extraction, call Main Family Dental care today or request an appointment online.