Are you getting ready to get your wisdom teeth removed and are nervous about the procedure? Are you curious about what to expect before, during, and after the extraction?
This article will tell you everything you need to know about wisdom teeth removal.
Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars that grow at the back of our mouth in our twenties. We don't really need them anymore as we can chew perfectly fine with our regular teeth.
But, that's not the only reason you may want to remove your wisdom teeth. Because of their position, it's more difficult to clean them and they tend to decay faster. Sometimes, they don't have enough space to erupt and might grow at different angles, putting pressure on the neighboring teeth or creating trouble.
When that happens, your dentist is very likely to recommend removing them.
If the dentist decided that removing your wisdom teeth is the best course of option, then they might ask you to get some X-Rays so they can better see what they are dealing with and how to approach the treatment.
On the day of the extraction, the dentist will first numb the area using a local anesthetic. That means that you won't feel any pain, just a bit of pressure, which is perfectly normal.
After the anesthesia has taken effect, they will proceed to remove the tooth. If the wisdom tooth is impacted, meaning that the tooth is either stuck under the gum or was only able to break through just a bit, then you may also need minor surgery.
After the tooth has been removed, the dentist will ask you to gently bite on a gauze. This will help with the formation of the blood clot, an important step in the healing process. The blood clot will protect the exposed bone and become the foundation for new tissue.
You will be asked to bite on the gauze for a couple of hours and then avoid eating until the anesthesia wears off so that you don't hurt yourself.
Other things to keep in mind after wisdom tooth removal:
If you are looking for a family dentist who can help you restore your smile and take better care of your oral health, then you should get in touch with us at Coronado Family Dental.
Get in touch with us today to book your next appointment.