Wisdom tooth extraction is a common practice recommended for most dental patients. If you still have your wisdom teeth, you may be curious about why they would need to be removed. Here are some commonly asked questions about these extra molars and the procedure for removing them.

What to Know About Getting Your Wisdom Teeth Out

Why do they need to be removed?

While wisdom teeth don’t always lead to dental issues, many dentists advise having them extracted as a preventive measure against the potentially serious problems they could cause. If there isn’t enough room for them, they can cause overcrowding, making the teeth more difficult to clean and thus more at risk for decay and infection. Impacted wisdom teeth (those that don’t fully erupt or are stuck below the gums) are sometimes prone to cysts and infection.  A simple panoramic xray will help your dentist diagnose if your wisdom teeth need removed or monitored.  

What is the common age for having them extracted?

Wisdom teeth commonly erupt between the late teens and early to mid-twenties. Thus, most dental patients are advised to have them removed during this time. The longer they remain in the mouth, the greater the odds are for complications.

What does the procedure entail?

Prior to your wisdom tooth extraction, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic or sedative to ensure numbness during the procedure. Sometimes this requires a small incision along the gumline to access the teeth before removing them.

Once the teeth have been extracted, the dentist may need to use stitches to seal the incision. The stitches will either dissolve on their own or be taken out at your follow-up visit.

What aftercare is recommended?

Your dentist will provide specific instructions for care, which you should follow precisely. In general, most patients are advised to keep gauze in place for 30 to 60 minutes. Cold compresses can be used for 24 to 36 hours following the extraction to alleviate swelling.  Make sure to take the recommended prescribed or over-the-counter medications as scheduled for at least the first 72 hours, as this is critical to help keep pain at bay.

Avoid any seeds, nuts, or foods with small pieces until the incisions have fully healed to ensure they don’t get lodged in the gums. If your dentist advises you to rinse with warm salt water after the first day, be sure to follow their guidance.

If you think you might be a candidate for a wisdom tooth extraction procedure, turn to Steckelberg Dental. Serving Lincoln, NE, this team welcomes patients of all ages and offers a range of general, cosmetic, preventive, and periodontal dentistry services. Their staff is committed to making patients feel at home in a comfortable environment. Find out more about their approach to extractions online or schedule an appointment by calling (402) 489-7800.