Wisdom teeth are the third and last set of molars in the back of your mouth that appear for individuals in their late teens or early twenties. In general, dental professionals agree that wisdom teeth should be removed if there is a risk of infections, damage to adjacent teeth, or cavities that cannot be restored. According to the American Association or Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, wisdom teeth that come in normally may still be prone to disease. We recommend management options ranging from removal to a monitored retention plan to ensure optimal health.
Wisdom Teeth Treatment
If there is swelling, infection, or intense pain, wisdom teeth must be taken out as soon as possible. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection from worsening or spreading. Warm salt water rinses and over the counter painkillers may be used as short-term pain remedy until a more definitive treatment can be obtained. If your wisdom teeth are fully erupted, functional, and painless, they may not require extraction.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
If it is recommended that your wisdom teeth be removed, your oral surgeon will discuss the process along with what type of anesthesia you’ll be administered. Plan taking time off from work or school in order to rest and heal properly after surgery. During surgery, you’ll receive either local anesthesia, intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. In most cases, wisdom teeth can be removed with little to no pain. If they are impacted, surgery might be more complicated. When a tooth is impacted, they are unable to break fully through the gums due to a lack of room. Sutures are places to minimize post-operative bleeding and to help healing. They will slowly dissolve over time.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery
After surgery, you may experience mild swelling and discomfort. To ease the discomfort, medication is prescribed by your oral surgeon. We recommend modifying your diet following surgery in order to prevent any irritation from occurring. Exercise care with the surgical area. Brush your teeth gently and refrain from rinsing vigorously or smoking during the healing process. Consider using an ice pack on the face over the surgical sites to control any swelling. Additionally, limit your activities for at least 7 days after surgery.
Aspen Heights Dental is committed to your oral health. Our caring dentists provide general dentistry services designed to help you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. We provide numerous dental treatments to improve your oral health and prevent painful, and expensive dental treatments. Wisdom teeth removal and recovery is an easy and quick process that will improve your overall dental health. For more information on wisdom teeth management, contact our dentists today at (801) 901-8802.
