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It’s no surprise we all have wisdom teeth. However, do you ever wonder when the optimal time to have them removed is? At your latest routine dental checkup, your dentist may have suggested it’s time to remove your wisdom teeth.
While this can leave you feeling apprehensive, you’ll find the removal process for wisdom teeth is typical and straightforward.
Using the wisdom tooth extraction near me search, you can find several qualified dentists and oral surgeons in your area capable of performing a wisdom tooth extraction.
First, it’s essential to undergo an exam, whether you’re experiencing potential symptoms for their removal or not. Subsequently, your dentist or oral surgeon will guide you through the wisdom teeth removal process.
Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars located far back in your gum line on your upper and lower jaw. They generally lie below the gum line and grow to push on your teeth as they try to erupt from the gum line.
Typically, this happens around the ages of 17-25. Your dentist takes an X-ray to determine where your wisdom teeth are growing and how they might impact your other teeth. Not every patient has to extract their wisdom teeth, though most choose to do so as these large molars can negatively affect their oral health.
There are several reasons why your dentist might suggest wisdom teeth removal. It takes a trained eye and a proper dental X-ray to tell how these molars will impact your teeth. It’s best to have this checked in your late teens, as it can help in reducing complications later.
An oral exam will determine if you require wisdom teeth removal. There are several legitimate reasons for the procedure. It’s good to fully understand them before going through surgery.
First, during a consultation, your dentist or oral surgeon will determine those factors and go over the procedure based on the state of your teeth. Then, they will review any medication you take and your medical history. Wisdom teeth removal is generally done surgically, so it’s essential to give your surgeon all the facts to avoid complications.
The cost of wisdom tooth removal can vary depending on the reasons behind it. If the surgery is relatively complicated, you can expect to pay a bit more than average removal costs. However, you’ll be delighted to know that many dental insurance companies will cover at least a portion of the cost of any wisdom teeth removal procedure.
There are also several affordable payment plans for patients that help relieve the financial burden associated with the cost of wisdom tooth removal surgery. Using the wisdom tooth extraction near me search will present you with several of our dental locations and financing plans.
Wisdom teeth removal surgery can take up to 45 minutes, but you should schedule a few hours for the process. The duration of the surgery will depend on the reasons for wisdom teeth removal, how complicated the surgery will be, and the type of numbing agent used.
Sometimes, your oral surgeon can just use a local anesthetic to remove sensation from the area where the tooth is being extracted. With this, you’ll feel back to normal fairly quickly after surgery. Other times, your oral surgeon may recommend you undergo sedation with an IV or mask so that you can sleep through the process. In this case, recovery will take longer.
Your surgeon will most likely have to cut into your gum and bone to fully extract the tooth or teeth. Afterward, they’ll stitch the gap left behind so that your gums can heal. These stitches should dissolve a couple of days post-surgery. The surgeon will also have you bite down on gauze to apply pressure to the extraction area, allowing your blood to clot.
After your procedure, it’s essential to take it easy. Depending on the anesthetic used, you may need someone to take you home. Because anesthesia affects everyone differently, it’s important to give yourself at least a few hours to recover just to be safe.
For the first 24-72 hours after the procedure, rest and drink plenty of water. If you notice swollen cheeks, know this is perfectly normal and will subside within a few days. You can apply an ice pack to keep the swelling down. In addition, try not to consume solid food or hot beverages right after your surgery, as your mouth can’t operate the way it usually does. Also, avoid foods that can get easily dislodged in your sockets, like nuts or chips.
Your doctor may advise you to refrain from using straws or spitting forcefully a few days after the procedure. These types of actions can dislodge the blood clot that has formed and can lead to constant bleeding and even dry socket, a painful infection that can happen after wisdom teeth removal. If you smoke, it’s important to avoid doing so for at least a few days to allow your teeth to heal.
Dry socket sometimes occurs post-surgery. As it can be prevented, we want you to know how to avoid this potentially painful infection should complications arise after your surgery. A dry socket happens when the blood clot from where your tooth was extracted becomes dislodged, which can expose your bone and nerve endings. This is painful and can cause fever or swelling. Visit your dentist if you think you’ve developed this problem as it can be common to treat after surgery.
Use a warm salt water rinse to keep your mouth free of bacteria throughout the day. Some dentists may advise that you refrain from brushing your teeth for at least 24 hours. Afterward, as usual, you can clean and floss, just avoid the areas where your teeth have been extracted, as this can also dislodge the blood clot. If you’re experiencing pain, you can take over-the-counter painkillers.
Healing can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the patient. Staying hydrated will speed up the process. If you start to experience severe pain, pus, or fever, it could be a sign of infection. It’s essential to call your oral surgeon immediately to treat any issues that could have occurred during the tooth extraction process.
In most cases, people don’t feel any pain during their wisdom tooth extraction as the area will be numb. Still, if you are feeling pain during the process, you can tell your dentist or oral surgeon so that they can give you more anesthetic.
Usually, wisdom teeth emerge sometimes between the ages of 17 and 25. The emergence of wisdom teeth does not create any issue for some people and simply lines up with the other teeth behind the second molars. But in many cases, the mouth is too crowded for the normal development of the third set of molars.
After wisdom teeth removal, you will be told to avoid hard, chewy, hot, or spicy food that might get stuck in the socket or irritate the wound. While cleaning the mouth, rinse your mouth, spit or use mouthwash during the first 24 hours of the surgery. Don’t brush your teeth. You will be advised to do so typically after the first 24 hours of the surgery.
Recovery from wisdom teeth removal surgery can take up to 2 weeks. However, you may experience swollen mouth and cheeks during this time that can worsen in the initial few days but improve with time. To take care of or reduce swelling, you can use a cold cloth gently on your face.
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