Wisdom Teeth Removal in Lakewood, CO

Wisdom teeth or third molars usually emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. Unfortunately, most people’s jaws are not large enough to accommodate these teeth. As a result, wisdom teeth often become impacted within the gums and bone tissue. The wisdom teeth may also grow sideways, emerge only partway through the gum, or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted wisdom teeth can be extremely painful and problematic. This can be painful and can cause tooth decay because wisdom teeth that only partially erupt through the gum are difficult to brush and floss. Food and bacteria can become trapped beneath the flap of gum tissue around the impacted tooth and cause an infection. Early removal of wisdom teeth is recommended in such cases to avoid such problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.

Wisdom Teeth Removal Process

A wisdom teeth removal procedure, also known as “third molar extraction,” involves the removal of the wisdom teeth, or third molars, from the gums. 

Wisdom teeth removal is a minor surgical procedure. The dentist will need to numb your mouth with an anesthetic. If you are nervous about the procedure, you can elect to have sedation.

After you are numb, the dentist will use a tool to loosen the gum tissue around each tooth and remove any bone that is covering the tooth. Once the dentist has removed the bone covering the tooth, they will use another tool to rock the tooth back and forth until it is loose enough to be removed.

Once the tooth is removed, the dentist will use gauze to gently clean the area and remove any leftover pieces of tooth.

What Happens After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Recovery from wisdom teeth removal can take between 1 to 2 days. During this time, patients typically experience some swelling and soreness in the mouth. Patients can also experience some stiffness of the jaw and difficulty opening the mouth.

After your wisdom teeth removal, you will need to care for your wounds. The dentist will prescribe you medications and specific instructions to follow. For the first day, you should eat soft foods like pudding, applesauce, and yogurt. Avoid drinking through a straw, as the suction can loosen your sutures. You can also use ice packs for the first 24 hours after wisdom teeth removal. These packs will help soothe your jaw and reduce swelling. You can make an ice pack by wrapping ice cubes in a clean towel.

For the first couple of days, you should soak your mouth with salt water (1⁄2 teaspoon of salt mixed in 8 ounces of warm water). Swish this mixture around your mouth, gently pressing it against your cheeks. This process will soften any food particles that are in the wound, allowing your body to remove them.

To find out more about the dental services offered at Aaron E Slavsky DDS, call Dentist Lakewood CO at 303.233.1704.