Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?
In our teenage years, wisdom teeth begin developing in the back of our mouths. Most people do not have enough room for wisdom teeth to safely erupt, causing them to grow in at unnatural angles and remain partially or fully impacted. Wisdom teeth that are not removed often lead to:
- Gum disease
- Crowding of other teeth
- Headaches and jaw pain
- Can sometimes lead to severe infection
Does the age of wisdom teeth removal matter?
The ideal age to have wisdom teeth evaluated is 14-15. Wisdom teeth removal is most commonly performed between the ages of 14-25. Having your wisdom teeth removed while you are younger will decrease the chances of having surgical complications and allow you to heal faster.
Does everyone need to have their wisdom teeth removed?
Some people are able to keep their wisdom teeth. This depends on a number of factors, including having enough room in your jaw, the angle your wisdom teeth grow in, gum and surrounding bone health, and your oral hygiene. Dr. Burns will work with your dentist in helping you determine if you are able to keep your wisdom teeth.
Some symptoms that may indicate wisdom teeth are erupting are:
- Pain
Pain around the gums, behind your last molars. This occurs as wisdom teeth are growing in - Swelling
Swelling of the gums, jaw and cheeks as wisdom teeth are erupting - Difficulty opening mouth
Swelling can cause difficulty opening your jaw fully or cause pain when chewing - Bad taste or bad breath
This can be caused from food being trapped around the gums of your erupting wisdom teeth
While these are not all of the symptoms that can occur when wisdom teeth are growing in, they may indicate that it is time to have your wisdom teeth examined.
Before your procedure is performed, you will see Dr. Burns for a consultation where he will examine your wisdom teeth and panoramic x-ray to determine whether wisdom teeth removal is necessary. He will discuss with you any risks, foreseen complications, or concerns. He will explain to you the anesthesia options safest for you in preparation for your procedure. Most people comfortably sleep through their wisdom teeth removal while under IV sedation.
For your convenience, a consultation and wisdom teeth removal can be scheduled on the same day. To see if you are a candidate for this option, call our office at (435) 915-1267.
Wisdom Teeth Examination
On the day of your procedure, anesthesia will be administered to help you feel comfortable or to sedate you during your wisdom teeth removal. After the anesthesia is administered, Dr. Burns will make an incision along your gum line to gain access to the wisdom teeth, remove them and then close the incision with dissolvable sutures (stitches) if needed. After the procedure is completed, you will remain in the office until you have recovered from the anesthesia and are safe to go home with your escort.
What happens during wisdom teeth removal?
Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Removal
Before you leave the office, you will receive instructions on how to care for yourself after surgery. You will also receive prescriptions for pain medications.
Plan on taking a few days off after surgery to allow yourself to rest and heal. Immediately after your surgery, your diet will be a non-chewing diet (eg. apple sauce, smoothies, jello, yogurt, pudding, etc.). For the next few days after surgery you will be eating a diet starting with soft foods, and working your way up to more solid foods. After about a week, most people are back to a normal diet and activity.
