Wisdom Tooth Extractions – Richardson, TX
Protect Your Smile from Intrusive Wisdom Teeth
When there’s not enough room for your wisdom teeth to erupt, it can lead to all kinds of problems, including chronic pain near the back of your jaw as well as damage to the rest of the smile. Our dentistry team at Jupiter Family Dental of Richardson can help determine whether or not your wisdom teeth truly need to be removed, and we’ll work to make sure you have a low-stress, comfortable tooth extraction process. Call us today to schedule an appointment for anyone in your family that might need wisdom tooth extractions in Richardson, TX.
Why Choose Jupiter Family Dental of Richardson for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
- Friendly, Patient Doctor
- Relaxing Dental Sedation
- Little Waiting Time Needed
When is Wisdom Tooth Extraction Really Necessary?
You can keep your wisdom teeth if they manage to erupt fully and are positioned correctly. Unfortunately, this often doesn’t happen because there just isn’t enough room in the jaw for new teeth. Your wisdom teeth will most likely need to come out if they cause any of the following symptoms:
- Chronic or recurring pain
- Repeated infection near the back of your mouth
- The formation of cysts or tumors
- Damaging your other teeth
- Gum disease or extensive tooth decay
Wisdom Tooth Extraction Aftercare
You will need to rest for a day or two after your wisdom teeth are removed. You can use an ice pack to keep any swelling down, and you can manage your discomfort with over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen. Plan on eating liquid and soft foods for a few days; remember to eat on the other side of your mouth so that you don’t disturb the extraction site. You can brush your teeth normally from the second day after surgery, but you should avoid touching the extraction area directly.
Wisdom Tooth Extractions FAQs
Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?
While it seems like today wisdom teeth are nothing but trouble, they once served a very important purpose to our early human ancestors. That’s because back then, they survived on a diet of raw foods including raw meats, berries, nuts, roots, and leaves. Not only did they not cook their food, but they also didn’t cut it up, either.
Chewing on these tough foods required a broader jaw and strong molars. Thankfully, since their jaws were larger, wisdom teeth didn’t really cause any problems. In fact, they were very important because those primitive diets wore down their molars as they aged. By the time their wisdom teeth emerged in their teens, a backup set was likely welcome!
Today, we soften nearly every food we eat by cooking, baking, cutting, or other methods of preparation, so wisdom teeth aren’t necessary. Furthermore, experts believe that eating tough foods, especially in childhood, stimulates jaw growth, making it easier for wisdom teeth to fit when they arrive. However, since we don’t eat these foods anymore, our modern jaws don’t usually have room for extra teeth. That means when they do erupt, they usually cause more harm than good and need to be extracted!
Why Are Wisdom Teeth Called That?
While it may seem counterintuitive to call them “wisdom” teeth since they generally grow in at weird angles and cause problems, but the name actually comes from when they arrive- typically in early adulthood. That’s because with age comes wisdom, and very often, wisdom teeth!
Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Painful?
Rest assured that the very first step your dentist will take during wisdom tooth surgery is to numb your mouth with a local anesthetic. You may also choose to use nitrous oxide sedation for enhanced comfort and relaxation.
You may feel some pressure as your teeth are gently rocked back and forth in their sockets, but this should not be painful.
Following your procedure, it is normal to experience some general discomfort and soreness as your mouth heals.
Be sure to follow your aftercare guidelines, and your mouth should be feeling much better within about a week.
What’s the Best Age to Get Wisdom Teeth Removed?
While there’s no specific universal age to remove your wisdom teeth by, most dental professionals recommend extracting them in early adulthood. While they certainly can be removed later in life, the procedure and recovery are much easier when you’re younger.
As you age, the roots of your wisdom teeth grow longer and become more embedded in your jaw. This makes the procedure to remove them more complicated the older you get and could take longer to recover from.
Scheduling a wisdom tooth extraction procedure is also often a lot easier for younger patients, as they can plan their surgery and recovery around school breaks.
Should your dentist recommend wisdom tooth removal, it is best to do it sooner than later to avoid any potential complications like impaction, decay, cysts, or damage to other nearby teeth.
