If you are experiencing frequent headaches and tooth pain in your back teeth, you may have an impacted wisdom tooth. Wisdom teeth extractions can prevent small oral health issues from becoming more invasive and expensive dental problems. If you need a wisdom teeth removal procedure at Toothsome, there are important factors to know first.
Do I Need to Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Your wisdom teeth emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. They are the third set of molars at the back of your mouth. However, not everyone’s wisdom teeth erupt fully. Many people will only get one or two wisdom teeth, and a few lucky people don’t get any wisdom teeth at all.
For people whose wisdom teeth do emerge, erupt at an odd angle, or erupt below the gum line, it is recommended that they get their wisdom teeth removed to avoid any future oral health complications. Some issues that can arise from impacted wisdom teeth include:
- An increased risk of tooth decay
- Crowded or crooked front teeth
- Jaw misalignment
- Radiating jaw discomfort
- An increased risk of infection
- Sinus problems
What to Expect from a Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure
Wisdom teeth removal is a common and simple procedure for most patients. However, if your tooth is severely impacted or wrapped around a nerve, wisdom teeth removal by a trained and experienced dental surgeon at Toothsome can prevent future problems with your teeth and gums.
Before a wisdom teeth removal procedure, we meet with you to conduct a comprehensive consultation and assessment of your oral health so that we can develop a personal treatment plan. We take X-rays to assess the position of your wisdom teeth and determine how to best approach extracting them from their position.
During a simple extraction, your dental surgeon will inject a local anaesthetic at the site of the tooth, then use a specialized instrument called an elevator to loosen the tooth from the socket before removing it.
At Toothsome, patients have the option of local or twilight sedation which is often recommended for anxious patients to facilitate a faster and more comfortable wisdom teeth extractions procedures.
For complex procedures or for patient preference, you will be put under general anaesthesia then Dr David Willis will make a small incision to raise the gum and remove the bone tissue around the tooth. Depending on the size and condition of the tooth, the dental surgeon can remove it whole or in sections. The socket is then cleaned and closed with dissolvable stitches.
If you require a complex wisdom tooth extraction, the surgical team at Toothsome have admission rights at several accredited hospitals throughout the Sydney area.
This means you can be put under general anaesthesia by a qualified anaesthetist while our experienced surgeon removes your impacted wisdom teeth.
Aftercare Following Wisdom Teeth Removal
To minimise complications and speed up your recovery, adhere to your dentist’s aftercare instructions following your wisdom teeth removal.
Take it easy
For 24 hours after surgery, take a break from your normal exercise routine and avoid any heavy lifting. For many procedures, you can return to work on the same day. If you had a general anaesthetic or sedation procedure, you will need a responsible person to care for you for 24 hours.
Apply an Ice Pack
You can expect some swelling, tenderness, and mild discomfort for a few days after your surgery. An ice pack applied intermittently to the side of your face for the first 24 hours following surgery can help to minimise swelling and reduce discomfort.
Modify Your Diet
Avoid certain foods and drinks for up to 24 hours after surgery to allow the socket to heal and minimise discomfort. Instead, choose soft, nutrient-dense foods like porridge, eggs, avocados, yoghurt and smoothies. After 24 hours, on the advice of your dental surgeon, you might be able to return to a normal diet as tolerated.
Rinse with Salt Water
Brush your teeth normally twice/day being gentle or avoiding the wound. Rinsing is usually not recommended for the first 24 hours after your wisdom tooth removal. However, after 24 hours has passed, rinsing your mouth can help keep the area clean and remove food trapping.
Attend a Follow-Up
Our dental surgeon Dr David Willis will call you the day after your wisdom teeth extractions to ensure you are recovering well and not experiencing any side effects from the anaesthesia or surgery. We also offer free follow-up reviews so that we can see how your mouth is healing and answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Contact Us
The best way to prevent any issues related to your wisdom teeth is with preventative wisdom teeth removal. Catching erupting wisdom teeth early means a simple wisdom teeth extraction procedure, less risk of complications, and shorter recovery time.
If you are experiencing wisdom tooth discomfort, contact the team at Toothsome Implants Chatswood. We are present at three Sydney locations to book an assessment.
Chatswood: 02 8203 8786
Baulkham Hills: 02 9158 6637
Sydney: 02 9159 3728
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
