Frequently Asked Questions

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth, or your third molars, are the very last of your permanent teeth to come in. They usually break through your gumline sometime between the ages of 17-25. 

Most people have four wisdom teeth, two on top and two on the bottom. Because they’re located at the very back of your mouth, wisdom teeth are difficult to clean. They’re also at a higher risk of becoming impacted. This is particularly true if you have overcrowded teeth or a small jaw. 

Your SEDA Dental provider might recommend wisdom teeth extraction even if yours aren’t impacted. Doing so can prevent complications in the future and improve your oral health as a whole. 

Why would I need to have my wisdom teeth removed?

Many people develop impacted wisdom teeth. This occurs when there’s not enough room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth to erupt or develop normally. Sometimes impacted teeth come in partially; other times they don’t break through the gumline at all. 

Wisdom teeth don’t always cause problems, but when they do, common symptoms include:
Pain
Tooth decay
Infection
Complications with orthodontic treatment
You might also notice that food or debris collects behind your wisdom tooth. Over time, this may increase your risk of other oral health problems like gum disease.

What happens during wisdom teeth extraction?

The team at SEDA Dental performs wisdom teeth extraction as an outpatient procedure. Prior to extracting your wisdom teeth, your dentist administers a local anesthetic, numbing your tooth roots and gums. If you have a low pain tolerance, they might also recommend sedation dentistry. 

Once you’re comfortable, your dentist makes an incision in your gum tissue, exposing your tooth and bone. Next, your dentist removes the bone blocking your wisdom tooth and carefully divides your tooth into sections.

our dentist then uses forceps to remove each piece of your tooth. After removing your tooth, your dentist cleans the site with an antiseptic solution and stitches up the wound to promote healing. Last, but not least, your dentist places gauze over each extraction site to control bleeding. 

What is recovery like following wisdom teeth extraction?

After your wisdom teeth extraction, your SEDA Dental provider sends you home with a list of recovery instructions. Your provider also writes you a prescription for antibiotics and pain medication.

In the first 24-48 hours following your extractions, it’s perfectly normal to experience pain and swelling. Take your medications as prescribed and only eat soft foods such as applesauce, soup, or yogurt. You should also avoid brushing, flossing, or rinsing your mouth for at least 24 hours following your operation. Within a week’s time, you should feel back to normal again. 

To request a wisdom teeth consultation at SEDA Dental today, call the office nearest you or click the online booking tool.