“How Early Should It Be Done?” 6 Need-to-Know Facts About Wisdom Teeth Extraction

If there’s a young adult in your family, chances are they might need to lose their wisdom teeth in Mesquite sometime soon. Of course, as common as wisdom tooth extraction is, plenty of patients still have reservations about the procedure. Here are 6 truths that can help encourage you and your loved ones move forward with the procedure.

1. The Extraction Helps You Avoid Long-Term Oral Health Problems

Because wisdom teeth come in so late, they often become impacted (meaning they become fully or partially trapped under your gums). This can damage the roots of your other teeth. Furthermore, wisdom teeth often increase your risk for an infection that, if it’s allowed to spread, may inflict damage on your heart or other vital organs.

2. Wisdom Teeth Might Need to Be Removed Even If They Don’t Hurt

Wisdom teeth won’t always cause pain, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you can leave them alone. Oftentimes, these extra teeth are hard to brush and are thus more vulnerable to cavities and gum disease. If you can’t keep wisdom teeth clean, they’ll likely need to be removed; thus, if you do end up keeping them, it’s important to have them checked regularly.

3. The Procedure Should Be Performed as Early as Possible

It’s usually recommended to remove the wisdom tooth before it is fully developed. That usually means performing the surgery while the patient is in their late teens or their early twenties. This will give you the lowest risk for complications as well as a faster recovery time.

4. You Won’t Feel Pain During the Extraction

Your dentist in Mesquite will use some form of dental sedation or anesthesia when extracting wisdom teeth. This will keep any discomfort to a minimum and can also help you stay calm while the procedure is completed.

5. Recovering from Wisdom Tooth Extraction Has Its Perks

You’ll need to be on a soft food diet for a while after the procedure. Fortunately, that includes ice cream, yogurt and smoothies; these cold treats also provide the additional benefit of keeping your bleeding and swelling under control.

6. You Can Make Your Recovery Go Faster

Most patients can expect to fully recover from wisdom teeth extraction after three or four days (although the exact amount of time varies from case to case). You can speed up recovery time by making good decisions; that means avoiding strenuous physical activities or sucking on straws after the procedure. You’ll also need to be careful when brushing around the extraction area.

If you’re still worried about wisdom tooth extraction, talk to your dentist about your concerns. Remember that wisdom tooth surgery is an overall positive experience; it helps save your smile from a lot of pain and damage in the future.

About the Practice

At Bear Creek Family Dentistry, our team of general dentists and specialists in pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery and restorative dentistry works to bring you and your family the comprehensive care you need. If you or someone you love might need a wisdom teeth extraction in the near future, you can make an appointment at our Mesquite location by visiting our website or calling (972) 331-5300.