Wisdom teeth are your third set of molars and are located in the back of your mouth. They will typically erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. There are a variety of reasons wisdom teeth need to be removed:

• They are impacted. Because of their location, wisdom teeth may not come in normally. They can be trapped in your jawbone or gums, which can be painful.
• They come in at the wrong angle. This may cause them to press against and do damage to other teeth.
• There isn’t enough space.
• Cavities and gum disease. It is difficult to reach wisdom teeth to effectively brush and floss.

The surgery to remove wisdom teeth is usually less than an hour, and it will be done with appropriate anesthesia. The dentist may need to cut gums or bone to get the teeth to remove your wisdom tooth or teeth. If necessary, the wounds will be stitched, so they heal quickly. These stitches usually dissolve after a few days. After surgery, you will be asked to bite down on a gauze pad to help form a blood clot.

Most of our patients have little pain after surgery. Swelling and mild discomfort can be expected for about three days, but it will take up to a few weeks to completely heal. We recommend an ice pack on your face to help avoid swelling and bruising. Moist heat can help with a sore jaw. Eat soft foods drink plenty of fluids, and avoid smoking and drinking through a straw. You can brush your teeth starting the second day, but be sure not to brush against any blood clots. Call us if you have a fever, or if your pain or swelling doesn’t improve.

If you think you may need your wisdom teeth extracted, call the experts and Irving Dental at (972) 313-2002 and schedule an appointment.