What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are four adult permanent molars located at the very back of your mouth. Typically, wisdom teeth (also known as third molars) erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. You may have one, two, three, or all four wisdom teeth. Some wisdom teeth come in partially or not at all. If you don’t have wisdom teeth, that’s perfectly normal.
Experts believe wisdom teeth are carried over from a time when humans needed additional teeth to crush and chew heartier foods. As humans evolved to eat more cooked foods and developed the tools to cut foods into smaller pieces, these extra teeth became unnecessary.
Reasons for Pulling a Wisdom Tooth
Wisdom tooth extraction is an endodontic procedure that is recommended for a variety of reasons. You may need wisdom tooth removal if:
- You have pain at the back of the mouth.
- Your wisdom teeth have grown in sideways or crooked.
- You develop a cyst near one or more wisdom teeth.
- You have decay or disease in or around your wisdom teeth.
- Wisdom teeth prevent you from obtaining orthodontic treatment.
- Food and other debris often become trapped in your wisdom teeth.
- Your wisdom teeth are impacted, which means they are partially or fully trapped in the jawbone or gums.
Thrive Dental dentists often extract wisdom teeth as a preventative measure, even if you don’t have symptoms. We use X-rays to track the presence and position of wisdom teeth in patients as young as 10-12. This helps us determine if they will likely cause future issues, including decay and disease. For many patients, their wisdom teeth erupt without problems. We only recommend services that are necessary and beneficial for your oral health.
Preparing for Wisdom Teeth Removal
During your oral surgery consultation, we explain the procedure and why it’s recommended. We check the health of your wisdom teeth and review your dental X-rays to confirm their position. We also discuss different sedation methods to keep you calm and comfortable throughout the procedure. You may need to stop taking certain medications or fast before surgery, so follow our instructions.
What to Expect From the Procedure
Here is a brief overview of what to expect when extracting teeth:
- Our Thrive Dental dentist begins by administering anesthesia to numb the treatment area and ensure your comfort.
- Once the area is numb, they make small incisions in the gums to access wisdom teeth trapped in the jawbone or gums. (This is not necessary in all cases.)
- Next, the dentist gently and carefully loosens the wisdom tooth from its socket.
- The area is then cleaned to prevent infection.
- If needed, the dentist stitches the surgical site closed before applying gauze to the area.
It’s possible to have all four wisdom teeth removed at the same time, but that is not required. If you prefer, we can also spread the procedures out over multiple visits. Wisdom tooth extraction generally takes about an hour, although more complex cases can run longer.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery
Once oral surgery is complete, your dentist provides post-operative instructions to protect the surgery site and minimize discomfort, swelling, and bleeding.
Follow these tips for a smooth recovery:
- Leave gauze on surgery sites: We generally advise patients to keep gauze in place for around 30 minutes after surgery or until the bleeding slows. If necessary, replace with clean gauze as needed.
- Keep extraction site(s) clean: Rinse the areas with alcohol-free antimicrobial mouthwash, but avoid swishing, which can dislodge blood clots and cause dry sockets. Tilt your head side to side, allowing the mouthwash to flow over the incisions.
- Take all prescribed medications: We commonly prescribe medications to reduce pain and prevent infection. Continue taking these as directed.
Recovery from wisdom tooth removal can take one to two weeks, although you can most likely return to work, school, and other activities in as little as a few days. You can eat soft foods immediately, gradually adding solid foods as you feel more comfortable.
What Not to Do After Wisdom Tooth Extraction
There are some things you should avoid because they can disrupt the healing process.
After wisdom tooth extraction, do not:
- Drink through a straw
- Eat hard or crunchy foods
- Exercise until you are cleared for activity
- Drink carbonated and/or alcoholic beverages
We will contact you after oral surgery to check on your progress. However, you should always reach out if you have any concerns or experience a fever, severe pain that doesn’t improve with medication, excessive bleeding, or signs of infection. When in doubt, call the office. Your health and safety are our top priority.
Although wisdom tooth removal may not be at the top of your to-do list, the procedure can save you time, money, and discomfort in the future. At Thrive Dental & Orthodontics, we do all we can to provide a positive experience on each and every visit. From TVs and music to cozy pillows and blankets, you can relax at Thrive Dental. You’re in good hands!
Call or book an appointment online to discuss your dental needs and goals. We have offices in Allen, Sachse, Frisco, Richardson, and Dallas, Texas for your convenience. You can also find us on TikTok and YouTube.
