If you live in Boise and are concerned about your wisdom teeth, you are likely seeking the city’s best wisdom tooth removal services — Boise Family Dental Care is here to help.
We’ll walk you through the signs you need to have your teeth extracted and explain what you can expect during and after the surgery so you feel fully prepared.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars to appear at the back of our mouths. Did you know that not everyone has wisdom teeth? Some people have none, and some only have a few — approximately 53% of people have at least one wisdom tooth.
If you do have wisdom teeth, they likely come through the gum when you are in your late teens or early twenties. Though this is not always the case, they may become painful as they erupt.
Wisdom teeth generally cause trouble in the mouth. They can also crowd other teeth or grow in at an odd angle, causing them to become impacted.
Impacted wisdom teeth can’t grow properly and partially rupture the gum lining or become stuck in the bone and soft tissue of the jaw.
Signs You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed
While everyone is unique, here are some signs that it might be time to remove your wisdom teeth:
Pain and discomfort.
Infection around your wisdom teeth or gum disease.
Damage to the surrounding teeth.
When noticing these signs, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist. If you book an appointment with us, we will take X-rays to evaluate your wisdom teeth and determine whether you need them removed.
Most dentists only recommend oral surgery to prevent further crowding or infection or if your wisdom teeth are likely to be problematic in the future.
Don’t worry about having them pulled out as a preventive measure — there are no benefits to removing your wisdom teeth if they are not causing you any harm.
Having your wisdom teeth extracted can help reduce any pain and discomfort you are experiencing. In addition, it is beneficial for your oral health — overcrowding can result in misaligned teeth and other issues like tooth decay or gum disease. You’ll also be glad to know that this procedure may give you a better smile. By creating more space in your mouth, crooked teeth might return to their position.
What to Expect From Oral Surgery for Wisdom Teeth Removal
If you book an appointment with us, Dr. Crump does most wisdom teeth removal in our office but occasionally refers more complicated cases to an oral surgeon.
The procedure depends on the position and stage of development of your wisdom teeth, as this will determine how easy it is for a dentist or oral surgeon to extract.
A tooth that is completely erupted can be removed quite easily. On the other hand, a tooth sitting beneath the gums and lodged in the jawbone might be trickier, as an incision is needed to remove the bone above the tooth.
During Surgery
Before a dentist or surgeon performs an extraction, they will numb your teeth and the surrounding tissue with a local anesthetic. They may also give you a sedative to help you relax.
We offer IV sedation to help our patients deal with anxiety because we understand that many people find going to the dentist distressing or unpleasant. With the combination of sedation and the local anesthetic, your procedure should be painless, and you will likely not remember much.
While your recovery speed will also depend on the ease or difficulty of your extraction, here is a basic idea of what you can expect in the first 24 hours:
Bleeding: It is normal to bleed for several hours. Your dentist will place a clean gauze over the empty socket to help control the bleeding.
Swelling: Your face might also swell where the tooth was removed. You can reduce this by icing the puffy area.
Pain medication: You can take Tylenol or Motrin to manage minor pain. Your dentist might prescribe stronger medication.
Antibiotics: If you were prescribed antibiotics before your procedure to treat an infection, you should continue until you finish the course.
To help ensure proper healing, your dentist or surgeon will provide you with aftercare instructions. This will usually include avoiding the following:
Smoking cigarettes
Drinking sugary or hot drinks
Eating hard or very hot foods
Strenuous activities
Going into a sauna
Schedule a Consultation For Boise Wisdom Teeth Removal
If you need wisdom teeth removal in Idaho, look no further than Boise Family Dental Care. Dr. Crump has been in the industry since 2008, and he always goes above and beyond to make each procedure as comfortable as possible. When you book an appointment with us, you have the peace of mind that you will be cared for by a qualified, experienced and friendly dentist.
We are dedicated to providing all our patients the care they deserve and will strive to meet your needs. Before we can extract your wisdom teeth, you will first need a consultation so we can determine if you need surgery.
