Wisdom Teeth Removal

If you’re struggling with gum pain, toothaches, or chronic headaches, you may have impacted wisdom teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth are a common dental problem that Hiral Patel, DDS, treats at SolidSMILES Dental in Lewisville, Texas. Many people don’t have enough room in their mouths to accommodate these extra molars. To relieve your tooth pain and prevent infection, Dr. Patel can perform a wisdom teeth extraction procedure. Call the office or request an appointment online today to learn more.

Wisdom teeth are often called your third molars because they develop in the back of your mouth between the ages of 17 and 24. They’re your very last teeth to emerge, but by the time they finally grow in, you may not have enough room in your mouth to accommodate them. 

If your wisdom teeth don’t have the space they need to emerge, they can grow sideways and become impacted. This means they either emerge partially or not at all. Impacted wisdom teeth leave your teeth susceptible to infection. They can also be painful and uncomfortable.

What are the signs of impacted wisdom teeth?

You may not realize you have impacted wisdom teeth until your routine bi-annual cleaning with Dr. Patel when she takes X-rays of your mouth. Many people don’t even notice when their wisdom teeth are growing in. However, impacted wisdom teeth can cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

• Tooth pain
• Gum pain
• Swollen gums
• Jaw pain
• Difficulty opening your mouth
• Pain when chewing
• Bad breath
• Headaches

A foul taste in your mouth could indicate that you have a tooth infection, so it’s important to come into SolidSMILES Dental for a dental exam if you experience a persistent bad taste.

What is wisdom teeth extraction?

The best way to relieve pain and discomfort from impacted wisdom teeth is to remove them. Dr. Patel performs these extractions, as well as standard extractions, to reduce pain and prevent infection. This is a surgical procedure that typically requires general anesthesia. Dr. Patel makes small incisions in your gums to locate the impacted wisdom tooth before extracting it. If the tooth is broken, she removes each small fragment to protect against infection.

A standard extraction is often necessary if you have an infected tooth or a crowded mouth. Depending on the location of the tooth you need extracted, you may only need a local anesthetic for a standard extraction.

What happens after a wisdom teeth extraction?

Once Dr. Patel extracts your wisdom teeth, she sutures the wound and places gauze in your mouth to control bleeding. You will need a trusted friend or relative to drive you home after the procedure. It’s important to change your gauze regularly and rinse your mouth with salt water to prevent infection.

Your mouth will be sensitive after your wisdom teeth removal, so stick to soft foods and avoid sucking through a straw for at least the first few days after the procedure. While your face may be swollen for a couple of days, you can manage any pain and swelling with ice packs and over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medications. 

Call SolidSMILES Dental or schedule an appointment online today to learn more.