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Your wisdom teeth are typically the last molars to emerge in the mouth. Sometimes they are just fine, while other times they can cause problems. In fact, millions of people each year need to have their wisdom teeth removed, most of them ranging in age between 17 and 25. In these cases, removing the wisdom teeth helps protect them from future problems such as infection or a shift in bite. At Harvest Hills Dental Care in East Gwillimbury, ON, our team is experienced in providing patients with safe and effective wisdom teeth removal.
In some cases, patients will schedule an appointment because they are experiencing pain or other symptoms from their wisdom teeth. In other cases, there aren’t any symptoms, the dentist simply notices the potential for problems during routine exams or x-rays. If your wisdom teeth are impacted, removal may be recommended to prevent the occurrence of:
Even wisdom teeth that aren’t impacted can require extraction. If there is not enough space for the wisdom teeth, they may begin to crowd nearby teeth, shifting the bite or leading to an increase in decay due to the inability to clean the area effectively.
In most cases, we recommend wisdom tooth extraction sooner rather than later because they are easier to remove when their roots are shallower.
After your extraction procedure, we will send you home with thorough instructions for taking care of your mouth in order to keep you comfortable and prevent any infections from occurring. This includes prescribing pain medications and antibiotics, recommending a soft diet for several day, and avoiding the issue of straws in order to prevent dry sockets. After about a week, a follow-up appointment will be scheduled in order to evaluate the healing of the area.
The wisdom teeth are the third set of molars located at the very back of your mouth. Unfortunately, they don’t boost your IQ. Instead, the name comes from the fact that they usually show up in your late teens or early twenties, a time when you are supposedly “wiser” and not just older. However, our Harvest Hills Dental Care dental team may refer to them as the “third molars.”
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, typically emerge in late adolescence or early adulthood. Wisdom teeth primarily serve to assist in the chewing of food. When they come in properly, they can provide support for the back of your mouth and help preserve the bone in your jaw. However, many people do not have enough space in their mouths to accommodate these extra teeth, which can lead to issues such as impaction or infection. As a result, wisdom teeth are often removed to prevent complications and maintain oral health.
Not everyone has wisdom teeth that emerge through the gum line; some individuals may have none, while others might have up to four, with one located in each corner of the mouth just behind the second molars. If these teeth have not yet erupted, an X-ray can help you and your dental team easily identify their presence.
Wisdom teeth often show up uninvited and do not have enough room to fit in. If they grow at odd angles, stay partially trapped in your gums, or push against your other teeth, they can cause pain, infections, and overcrowding. Removing them helps avoid these issues, so talking to the team at Harvest Hills Dental Care is the first step in the right direction!
Do not worry about experiencing discomfort, as our team will ensure you are comfortable from start to finish. You will be numbed up or even sedated during the procedure, so you won’t feel a thing. Afterwards, there can be some soreness, but with prescribed medications, ice packs, and rest, you’ll be on the mend quickly.
Leaving problems with wisdom teeth untreated can lead to issues like infections, cavities, or damage to neighbouring teeth. If your dentist recommends extraction, it’s best to handle it sooner rather than later!
Recovery from your procedure usually takes about a week or longer, depending on whether you had a simple extraction or a surgical extraction to remove your wisdom teeth. We recommend that you stick to soft foods like soup, mashed potatoes, or even ice cream while also avoiding using straws and getting proper rest. By following these recommendations, you will be back to your normal routine in no time!
Goodbye, crunchy snacks, hello, mashed potatoes and ice cream! Stick to soft foods like yogurt, soups, puddings, and smoothies at first. Avoid anything hard, chewy, or spicy until your mouth is fully healed and you have received the go-ahead from the Harvest Hills Dental Care team.
Possibly for a day or two. Swelling is perfectly normal, and yes, it might make your cheeks puff out a little. But with ice packs and time, you’ll be back to yourself in a day or two.
Call the Harvest Hills Dental Care team at (365) 659-1008 to find out if wisdom teeth removal is your next step!
If you have questions about wisdom teeth molar removal or are experiencing symptoms such as pain or a shift in teeth, it’s important to schedule an evaluation at Harvest Hills Dental Care in East Gwillimbury, near Newmarket, ON. To book your appointment, please give us a call at (365) 659-1008.
