Wisdom Teeth Removal Cleveland TN

When do wisdom teeth come in?

Around age 17, a third set of molars start to grow in the back of the mouth. This can happen as late as the mid-20s and is usually detected on an X-ray of the mouth. Given that the jaw isn’t big enough to accommodate these extra teeth, most people elect to have them removed. In some cases, they may be so far back in the mouth that they do not come in normally and become trapped in the gums or jawbone, causing tremendous pain. They may also come in at the wrong angle, affecting your other teeth. People with cavities or gum disease/infection need to have these wisdom teeth taken out. About 90% of people have at least one wisdom tooth that is impacted and needs to be removed. Either way, they need to be tracked by your dentist.

Wisdom teeth symptoms

A bad toothache is the main symptom of wisdom teeth arriving. An over-the-counter pain reliever should help to relieve this pain in the jaw, along with rinsing with warm water and flossing to remove food caught between teeth. You need to let your dentist know right away if you notice swelling or pus around the tooth or experience a fever you believe is related to the mouth pain. Antibiotics and possibly a root canal may be needed if you have a more serious problem called an abscess. In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth may be asymptomatic, causing no pain or problems. However, symptom-free wisdom teeth could still harbor disease, and if there isn’t enough space for the tooth to erupt, it’s often hard to get to it and clean it properly. It definitely warrants a consultation to discuss the next steps to take.

Wisdom Teeth Surgery

Before removing wisdom teeth, Drs. Hunter and Paul McCord, DDS, can meet with you to discuss the situation and learn about any health problems you have and any drugs you take on a regular basis. This determines prescription which medications are safe to take a dose before the surgery. They are happy to answer any questions you have about the surgery, including what type of anesthesia used.

Wisdom teeth removal recovery time

In preparing, you should plan to take time off from work or school to undergo the surgery and rest afterward for wisdom teeth removal recovery time. Patients should make arrangements for someone to drive them home after the procedure. Normal activities can resume the day after surgery, but you still need to avoid strenuous activities that could affect the blood clotting that allows the wound to heal. The stitches used to seal up the incision made to get the teeth out of the gums or bone will dissolve after a few days. Gauze pads are used to soak up bleeding that normally occurs. You should call us immediately if you experience difficulty swallowing or breathing, persistent numbness, or a bloody discharge oozing from the socket. Pain, swelling, numbness or bleeding are all complications that might indicate infection, nerve damage or other problems.

Wisdom teeth removal pain

Most people can expect 2-3 days of mild discomfort with swelling in the mouth following the surgery, with complete recovery taking a few weeks. Our goal during this time is to prevent infection in the socket from bacteria or trapped food particles, which is rare but still a risk associated with removing wisdom teeth. You should follow the instructions given by Drs. McCord for best results, including taking the drugs prescribed to ease pain or swelling.

Wisdom teeth removal aftercare and foods to eat after wisdom teeth removal

For best results recovering from wisdom tooth removal, patients should drink plenty of fluids, reduce swelling by using an ice pack against the face, and place a warm, moist washcloth against a sore jaw. Softer foods like pasta, rice, or soup can be eaten, while avoiding hard, crunchy, or sticky foods. Do NOT use a straw to drink as the suction created may loosen blood clots that form during the healing process. Don’t brush your teeth, rinse your mouth, spit or use mouthwash during the first 24 hours after surgery. Tobacco products are also a no-no.

Wisdom teeth removal recovery

If complications like the ones described above develop, contact us at 423.479.8544 to discuss treatment options.

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Cleveland TN 37311