If you’re lucky, wisdom teeth erupt without incident or never emerge at all. But for many people, they come in only partially or encroach on needed teeth. When this happens, your Perth dentist typically recommends extraction.
If you notice a tooth partially emerging at the back of the mouth, pain, swelling or another abnormality, we encourage you to contact a member of our dental surgery to arrange a consultation. Left untreated, wisdom teeth may interfere with your well-being, cause pain and even lead to oral health complications.
However, if your dentist near me does extract your wisdom teeth, there are recommendations we make to promote healing and reduce complications. Please continue reading to learn more about the dos and don’ts and other information regarding wisdom teeth.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are specific teeth that erupt during the late teens or 20s. Ideally, four in all at the back of the mouth—one at each location. However, some people only have one wisdom tooth or any combination through four.
Modern cooking and dietary choices have made wisdom teeth obsolete. We do not need them to break down tough meats or vine-like vegetation. Marinating and cooking our foods in modern ways means our second molars (adult teeth) are sufficient for the diets of today.
Because of this, when wisdom teeth create problems, your Perth dentist does not take issue with their extraction.
Aside from not needing wisdom teeth, the technologies of today make extracting them easier than ever before, which also prompts dentists to get rid of them for the good of patients who are experiencing problems.
Signs You May Have Problematic Wisdom Teeth
Your teeth and gums should not cause you pain or you should not feel pressure. If you feel as if your teeth are being squeezed, you may have troublesome wisdom teeth working to emerge.
In some cases, you may also experience a partial eruption, the means you feel a ridge or bone-like protrusion when you run your tongue along the back of your mouth, hitting the gum or jaw. A partial eruption is problematic because it leaves the gum open or pocketed, risking infection.
Another sign that your wisdom teeth are causing problems is if there is swelling, soreness and pocketing on the gum at the back of the mouth. This is a sign that you may have an infection, and we encourage you to contact your dentist in Perth as soon as possible for an evaluation and treatment.
We also caution you against self-diagnosis. One oral health complication can mimic another. If you notice oral health changes of any kind, we always encourage you to reach out to your dentist.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Booragoon
The process is very straightforward. You contact our dental surgery to arrange a consultation. Your dentist in Booragoon, WA provides an exam, takes x-rays and talks to you about your symptoms.
If your oral health issues are related to wisdom teeth, your dentist typically schedules you for extraction—sometimes extraction of all wisdom teeth. Your dentist may note that your jaw is not large enough to accommodate their eruption.
On treatment day, your dentist takes measures to make sure you’re relaxed and comfortable—numbing the extraction area fully. We will not begin work until the area or areas are numbed in full.
We rely on image-guided technology for a quick and uncomplicated extraction. In other words, your dentist has taken films and knows the dimensions and shape of your tooth canal. We take care not to upset any nerves as well. Sometimes nerves can be “bunched” or not in the expected places. Your dentist is aware of all these things before extracting, which means a gentler and more predictable outcome for you.
Remember, you may feel pressure during extraction, but experiencing pain is very unlikely. The anesthesia penetrates deep and also provides interior numbing as well—not just on the surface.
After Extraction Dos and Don’ts
Dos
- Get plenty of rest and do not overdo the exercise for 24 hours.
- If possible, keep your head elevated a bit while sleeping.
- Apply ice packs according to the instructions given by your dentist.
- For the first day, enjoy a soft diet, but try to avoid chewing.
- Stay hydrated and take recommended pain medications on time.
- Keep your extraction site clean.
- Contact your Booragoon dentist if you have questions.
Don’ts
- Don’t smoke for the first two days.
- Don’t drink through a straw.
- Don’t spit. Instead, let any prescribed rinse fall from your mouth.
- Never eat solid foods before the anesthesia has worn off.
- Don’t suck on objects or vegetables.
- Don’t poke at or touch the extraction site with your tongue.
All patients are different, and your dentist may recommend more specific dos and don’ts based on your unique case.
For Wisdom Tooth Extractions in Booragoon, WA, We Encourage Your Call
We want you to enjoy a healthy and pain-free smile. If you have an oral health issue and need assessment, we are here for you.