Wisdom Teeth Specialist
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Downey Smile Center
Dentists located in Downey, CA
Most of our mouths can’t accommodate wisdom teeth, so they usually end up crowding out other teeth or becoming impacted. At Downey Smile Center, Won Young Kim, DDS provides wisdom teeth extraction in the comfort of their Downey, California, office. It’s important to take care of your wisdom teeth right away, or they can continue to cause damage and make the extraction process more difficult. If you have concerns about your wisdom teeth, call the center today to set up your initial visit.
Wisdom Teeth Q & A
Why are wisdom teeth a problem?
Most people only have room in their mouths for their first 28 teeth — not 32 — and most people’s wisdom teeth aren’t perfectly aligned either. Wisdom teeth usually grow in at weird angles, become impacted, or compromise the health of the jawbone and neighboring teeth.
Sometimes wisdom teeth will only partially come in, which makes them hard to keep clean and susceptible to bacteria. This bacteria can lead to infection, tooth decay, and gum disease. Because of these risks, most wisdom teeth require extraction.
What happens during a wisdom teeth removal procedure?
Your dentist will numb the tissue surrounding your wisdom teeth with an injection, just like when you have a cavity filled. Depending on your anxiety level, your dentist may use a sedative like laughing gas or valium to relax you. Once your mouth is completely numb, your dentist will begin the extraction process.
If your wisdom teeth have erupted, they will be easier to pull. If your teeth are still embedded in the bone, your dentist will make an incision in the gums and remove each tooth in sections.
You won’t feel pain during the extraction, but you will feel the pressure, pulling, and movements that the dentist makes inside your mouth.
What happens after wisdom teeth extraction?
You’ll want to get a ride home after the procedure, especially if you’ve had a sedative. You may also want to take a day or two off from work to heal.
The physical side effects you should expect include:
Bleeding
A small amount of bleeding will likely occur for several hours after the procedure. You will hold gauze in your mouth until the bleeding stops. To prevent dry sockets, your dentist will recommend that you don’t suck, rinse, brush, or spit for a given period of time.
Stitches
Your gums may require stitches after extraction. If they are not dissolvable stitches, you will return to the office in about a week to have them removed.
Pain and swelling
Your face may swell near the surgical site, and you will likely be sore. Your dentist will give you pain management guidance and medication if required. You can ice the site at 20-minute intervals during the first 24 hours, and then apply heat at 20-minute intervals until the swelling goes down. Your mouth will feel noticeably better after a week or two.
If you still have your wisdom teeth, call the office today to set up a consultation. If you do need your wisdom teeth removed, it’s best to get it done as early as possible.
