Wisdom Tooth Extraction – Waco, TX

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are a set of molars that typically erupt years after your other adult teeth have already grown in, usually between the ages of 17 and 25, though they can also affect older adults. Most folks have 4 of them, though it’s possible to develop just a few or none at all.

It’s believed that our ancient ancestors may have developed them for survival during a time when people survived on rough diets of roots, nuts, seeds, berries, and raw meat that could wear down, damage, or dislodge teeth. Early humans may have needed an extra set of molars to replace any that were no longer functional by adulthood. Today, they tend to be problematic and are no longer needed for survival, so they’re considered vestigial features that can be removed.

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Ned to Be Removed?

Wisdom teeth are extracted more often than not because they’re notorious for causing issues when they arrive, including:

• They can push neighboring teeth out of the way, contributing to misalignments or TMJ disorders.
• Removing them is often the most effective way to address associated aches and inflammation as they grow in.
• They can become trapped in the jaw or gums and become infected.
• Small, fluid-filled sacs can form on or near them in the jawbone, leading to permanent damage to the surrounding bone and nerves.
• Other oral issues. If they only partially clear your gums, they can be difficult to brush or floss and can easily trap food and bacteria that cause disease and decay.

What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure

Once our team determines this treatment is right for you, we’ll begin by numbing your mouth with a local anesthetic and can also administer dental sedation to help you feel calm and comfortable throughout the procedure.

Then, depending on your circumstances, we can either grasp the tooth directly with forceps and wiggle it free from the socket, or create a small incision in your tissues to access the partially erupted or buried tooth. In some cases, the enamel may need to be broken into smaller sections that can be more easily removed without harming the jawbone.

Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Extraction

It’s essential that your mouth form blood clots at the extraction sites to prevent potential complications, and many of our team’s post-operative instructions are intended to help it do so. Potential recovery instructions might include:

• Getting plenty of rest and avoiding physical activities that elevate your heart rate or blood pressure.
• Drink lots of water to support your immune system and help cleanse your mouth, but don’t use a straw because the force of suction can harm your clot(s).
• Stick to soft, bland foods, such as scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, yogurt, or pudding, that are less likely to irritate your already tender tissues until you feel comfortable adding solids back into your diet.
• Rinse your mouth with salt water in the first 24 hours to naturally disinfect it while soothing soreness and swelling, then resume brushing and flossing normally when you’re able.
• Address discomfort with cold compresses or over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Contact our team right away if you experience severe or persistent pain, as it may indicate you’ve developed an infection or other complication, such as dry socket.

Wisdom Tooth Extractions FAQs