Wisdom Tooth Extractions – Mississauga, ON
Stopping the Pain Caused by Problematic Wisdom Teeth
Are you struggling with chronic jaw pain? Are you having difficulty keeping your molars healthy? If you answered “yes” and you’re between the ages of 17 and 24, then you may need to consider the possibility of a wisdom tooth extraction in Meadowvale. We recommend scheduling a consultation with us or, if you are interested in learning a little more, reading on!
Why Choose Meadowvale Family Dentistry for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments
- Trustworthy, Experienced Team
- Focused on Patient Relationships
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
In short, wisdom teeth are the third set of molars. Although they were crucial for our ancestors, our diets and oral hygiene regimens have changed considerably over the last several centuries. As a result, they often end up being more harmful than helpful for our patients. If that’s the case for you, then our team at Meadowvale Family Dentistry can extract them.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
The wisdom teeth aren’t always able to erupt the way they should due to the limited amount of space. This can lead to serious issues, like cysts and chronic jaw pain. As a result, they usually need to be extracted. The good news is that the process is virtually painless because the first step is always the same: to numb your mouth thoroughly.
What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure
There are actually two different types of extractions: simple and surgical. With a simple extraction, we can grip the tooth, rock it loose, and remove it from the socket. With a surgical extraction, a small incision will be made in the gums. Then, we can remove the tooth section by section. Once the removal process is complete, the site will be thoroughly cleaned, and the gums will be stitched closed.
Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Following your wisdom tooth extraction, your emergency dentist will give you instructions to keep bleeding, swelling, and discomfort under control. A few examples include:
- Placing a cold compress against the outside of your cheek
- Replacing the gauze pads as needed
- Eating only extremely soft foods, like seedless fruit smoothies
- Taking prescribed or OTC pain medication as directed
- Brushing and flossing carefully around the extraction site
Wisdom Tooth Extractions FAQs
Why Are Wisdom Teeth Called That?
At this point, the third set of molars causes so many problems that having them removed is looked at as a rite of passage. Naturally, this causes many patients to wonder how they earned the nickname “wisdom teeth.” The prevailing theory is that it’s due to when they make an appearance. While the first and second sets emerge during childhood, the third set emerges in early adulthood. Since wisdom comes with age, they were deemed “wisdom teeth.”
Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Painful?
This is hands-down one of the most-asked questions, especially among patients who struggle with dental-related anxiety. If you’ve been wondering the answer as well, we have good news: it’s “no.” We can say this confidently because the first step of the procedure is always to numb your mouth thoroughly. Plus, we will provide you with a list of aftercare instructions to help ease inflammation and discomfort once you start to regain sensation in your mouth (i.e., taking OTC pain medication as directed, using a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time, brushing and flossing carefully around the extraction site).
How Should I Prepare for My Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
There are a few steps we recommend taking prior to your wisdom tooth extraction in Mississauga to help make the entire process as smooth and seamless as possible. To start, you should purchase anything you need for the recovery period, like cold compresses and soft foods. If you’re being sedated for the procedure, you also need to arrange for an adult that you know and trust to drive you to and from your appointment. The morning of, eat a healthy, well-balanced meal (unless instructed otherwise), choose something comfortable to wear, and plan to arrive a few minutes early.
How Soon Can I Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
To ensure that the gauze stays in place and the numbing agent completely wears off, we recommend waiting at least an hour or two to eat. Once you’re in the clear, stick to a liquid diet for the first 24 hours (without using a straw, of course). From there, you can progress to soft foods, like plain yogurt, cottage cheese, applesauce, and pudding. Around the one-week mark, you should be able to resume your usual diet.
Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed If They Don’t Hurt?
Oftentimes, yes! After all, even if you aren’t in pain now, you could be in the near future. Not only that, but your wisdom teeth could increase your risk of serious oral health problems, like cysts and infections. All that to say, while moving forward with the procedure may not seem urgent, it very well may be. So, don’t take the “wait and see” approach.