When visiting your family dental office for a routine checkup and teeth cleaning, they may order digital X-rays to evaluate the health of your mouth as well as the location of your wisdom teeth. Depending on their evaluation of your oral health and these X-rays, your dental office may recommend wisdom teeth extraction. If you’re wondering why this procedure is often necessary, here is some helpful information to review. 

Understanding the Importance of Wisdom Teeth Removal

Why Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Needed?

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars located in the back of your mouth. When these teeth are healthy, fully erupted, and positioned correctly, your dentist will leave them as-is. Many dental patients experience issues with their wisdom teeth, however. They can become impacted into your jaw, which causes discomfort. Other patients experience a partial eruption of wisdom teeth that makes them difficult to properly clean and, in turn, prone to bacteria growth and infection.

Some wisdom teeth can erupt and cause overcrowding, which can alter the appearance of your smile. To reduce the risk of jaw pain, infection, gum disease, damage to neighboring teeth, and changes in the overall appearance and health of your smile, wisdom teeth removal may be recommended by your general dentistry team. 

What Can You Expect From This Procedure?

When visiting your dental office for wisdom teeth removal, you’ll be given local anesthesia to numb the area, general anesthesia so you’re asleep during the procedure, or IV sedation to numb your mouth and make you drowsy. If your wisdom teeth have yet to erupt, your dentist will make an incision in your gum line to expose the teeth. They’ll be extracted as a whole or in pieces, depending on the location and whether teeth are impacted. The area will be thoroughly cleansed and the incision will be stitched up.

Gauze pads will be placed over the incision to control bleeding. In the days following wisdom teeth removal, you may experience some swelling and discomfort which can be treated with pain medication and ice packs. Sticking to a diet of soft foods such as soup, yogurt, and smoothies is recommended for a couple of days to avoid exacerbating the incision and any swelling. 

If you’re looking for a family dental practice that offers both general and cosmetic dentistry services to ensure every patient has a healthy, beautiful smile, John D. Mainwaring DDS is right for you. With a reputation for combining cutting-edge technology with a friendly bedside manner that puts patients at ease, you can depend on this Orange, CT-based dental office for comprehensive oral care through every life stage. Call (203) 799-6625 to schedule an appointment and visit their website for more information on the procedures they specialize in.