Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth are the molars in the very back of your mouth. While wisdom teeth don't always need to be removed, they cause oral issues in many people. We provide state-of-the-art oral surgery and wisdom teeth removal to get you smiling again quickly.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars. They usually come in between the ages of 15 and 25 and cause many patients pain or discomfort. If your wisdom teeth have erupted, we can visually examine them. Otherwise, we can use x-rays to determine if your wisdom teeth need removed.
Depending on a number of factors, including size of teeth, the shape of your mouth, and the position of your wisdom teeth, we determine whether or not your wisdom teeth should be removed. Getting your wisdom teeth removed early can reduce the risk of crowded teeth, TMJ problems, infection, tooth decay, and damage to adjacent teeth. Additionally, it is difficult to keep your wisdom teeth sufficiently clean. This can lead to cavities, gum disease, and infections. Rather than treating the teeth with a filling or gum infection therapy, it’s considered thae standard of care to have the removed.
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How do I know if my wisdom teeth need removed?
While every patient is different, there are some common signs that indicate the need to have your wisdom teeth removed. These signs include:
- Impaction, i.e., if the tooth is stuck under the gums or is completely hidden. If wisdom teeth aren’t able to emerge normally, they can become trapped within your jaw which can result in infection or cause a cyst that can damage other teeth or roots.
- Changing bite alignment—wisdom teeth can grow at various angles in the jaw, sometimes horizontally, this can cause a change in your bite alignment.
- Crowding or damage to existing teeth caused by wisdom teeth not having enough room to come in properly.
- Emerging only partially—if your wisdom teeth are only partially emerged through the gums it can cause a magnet for bacteria that can cause gum disease and oral infection.
Many dentists recommend removing wisdom teeth at an early age, before the roots and bone are fully formed and when recovery is faster.
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How do I relieve wisdom tooth pain?
Wisdom teeth generally come in between ages 17 and 25. As they grow up through your jawbone and begin to break through your gum line, they may become inflamed or bleed. These occurrences could cause headaches or tooth pain. Below are some remedies to relieve wisdom tooth pain:
- Rinse with saltwater
- Use peppermint essential oils or clover oil to soothe pain
- Take aspirin or an over the counter pain reliever
- Apply an ice pack or heating pad to your cheeks
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What is an impacted wisdom tooth?
When a wisdom tooth doesn’t have enough room to come in normally, it is considered an impacted wisdom tooth. There are several degrees of impacted wisdom teeth depending on where the teeth lie within the jaw. Soft tissue impaction occurs when the crown of the tooth has penetrated through the bone, but the gum is still covering part of the tooth. When the tooth has partially erupted, but a part of the tooth remains submerged in the jawbone, this is considered partially bony impaction. Complete bony impaction occurs when the tooth is entirely encased by jawbone.
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What should I eat after wisdom teeth removal?
Following the surgery, it’s important to eat soft and cool foods to reduce the risk of further harm. We recommend eating foods such as:
- Mashed potatoes
- Soups
- Ice cream
- Smoothies
- Yogurt
- Applesauce
As you recover, you should consider your pain level when deciding whether or not to reintroduce more solid foods into your diet.
More Questions?
If you have more questions about wisdom teeth removal and the procedures used by Shreveport Dental Solutions, please contact our office and we will be happy to discuss further.
