Wisdom Tooth Extractions – Pasadena, TX
Eliminate painful impaction with wisdom tooth extraction
When it comes to preserving your teenager’s future smile, there are many things our team can do to safeguard their oral health. However, one of the most common procedures or “rites of passage” teens may experience is wisdom tooth extraction. No longer necessary, these teeth may only partially erupt or remain impacted beneath the gumline. As a result, pain and potential problems may occur. By calling our office to schedule an appointment, we can ensure your teen remains safe and comfortable during their wisdom tooth extraction in Pasadena.
Why Choose Magic Touch Dental for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
- Family friendly dental practice for patients of all ages
- Dental insurance, flexible financing, and in-house membership plan accepted
- Convenient Saturday hours available
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are your third set of molars that typically arrive in your late teens to early twenties. Though they were once important for our ancient ancestors, today they are unnecessary due to modern diets and our smaller jaws. While many people end up with four wisdom teeth, you can be born with anywhere from one to four, and in some cases, you may not need to have any or all of them removed.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
While not everyone will need their wisdom teeth removed, some require extraction because they can pose a serious threat to your oral health, including overcrowding, increased risk of cavities and gum disease, severe discomfort, impaction, possible jawbone damage, and an increased risk of cysts or tumors forming.
If you notice any signs of problems such as pain while eating, jaw stiffness, facial swelling, bad breath, or difficulty opening or closing your mouth, these could indicate it’s time to have your wisdom teeth extracted.
What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure
Wisdom tooth extraction is a predictable procedure. When you arrive at Magic Touch Dental, Dr. Verjee will numb your mouth and ensure that you are comfortable. Once you cannot feel any pain or sensitivity, he will then remove your wisdom teeth and stitch the sites closed with a dissolving suture. Dissolving sutures do not need to be removed and should completely vanish within about a week or so.
If your wisdom teeth have emerged, the procedure may not require incisions in the gums, however in some cases this may be necessary.
Following the procedure, your mouth will be packed with gauze to bite on and stop any bleeding, and you will be discharged to go home and recover.
Recovering From Wisdom Teeth Extraction
To ensure you heal properly, it’s very important to follow your aftercare instructions as closely as possible.
Common side effects during the healing process include facial swelling (should subside or begin to subside after about three days), bleeding, and soreness.
While you heal, it is very important that you maintain an excellent oral hygiene routine, including rinsing your mouth and gently brushing your teeth, avoiding the extraction sites.
To avoid a painful condition called dry socket, avoid drinking from a straw or consuming carbonated beverages for at least one week following your extraction.
Stick to a soft diet, and take all medications as prescribed by Dr. Verjee.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for assistance.
Wisdom Tooth Extractions FAQs
How Should I Prepare for My Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Leading up to your wisdom tooth extraction, there are a few things we recommend doing (as well as several important things to avoid). First, make sure that you have everything you need to recover smoothly at home – from soft foods and OTC pain medication to cold compresses. Second, don’t drink alcohol or smoke in the weeks leading up to your appointment. Third, on the morning of your procedure, choose something comfortable to wear and eat something healthy and satiating (unless instructed otherwise).
As always, if you have any questions about what you should and shouldn’t do, you can give us a call as well. We’re happy to help!
Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Painful?
Patients often assume that having their wisdom teeth removed will come with considerable pain and discomfort. The reason that’s not the case is because the first step is always the same: to numb your mouth with local anesthetic. Plus, we can use sedation dentistry to ensure you don’t experience any head, neck, or jaw pain in the treatment chair (while also alleviating anxiety, stress, and worry). Even after your procedure, we will provide you with aftercare instructions to help make the recovery period as comfortable as possible for you.
Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed If They Don’t Hurt?
Problematic wisdom teeth often result in considerable discomfort. However, that’s not the only reason we recommend having them removed. After all, just because you don’t notice your third set of molars doesn’t mean they can’t create problems down the line, like cysts, infections, and orthodontic issues. In other words, having your wisdom teeth extracted may not seem like something urgent, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t!
How Soon Can I Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
You need to wait at least an hour or two (that’s usually the amount of time it takes for the numbing agent to wear off). Once you’ve regained full sensation in your mouth, you can eat, but you need to stick to extremely soft foods, like low-sugar applesauce, plain yogurt, and vegetable soup. Make sure that you check the temperature of your food first too (remember, the extraction site is going to be more sensitive).
If you have any questions during the healing period – from what to eat to when you can use a straw again – don’t hesitate to give our Pasadena dental team a call.
How Do You Sleep After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
In the days following your procedure, getting a good night’s rest can be challenging. The good news is that there are several steps you can take to help you rest peacefully, including taking OTC pain medication about 30 minutes before bed, using a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time, and propping yourself up on some comfortable pillows to keep your head elevated while you sleep.