Wisdom Tooth Extractions—Weatherford, TX

What are Wisdom Teeth?

The wisdom teeth are actually a third set of molars, and they get their name from the fact that they usually don’t appear until the late teens or early 20s when someone is “wiser” compared to when their first teeth came in. While they were extremely helpful for our ancient ancestors and their rough diets, humans have adapted over the millennia in a way that now makes them obsolete. In fact, our jaws have gradually gotten smaller, which is a big reason why wisdom teeth often have to be removed.

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

• They are impacted (trapped) in the gum and jaw and are causing pain
• They are pushing on the nearby teeth and creating misalignment
• They are infected, cause cysts, and increase the risk of oral cancer
• They have created a flap in the gums that traps food and bacteria
• They are really difficult to clean and frequently develop cavities

What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure

Our dentists will perform a detailed exam of you or your child’s wisdom teeth to confirm how they are growing and determine whether extraction is necessary. If they have fully erupted, we can perform a simple extraction similar to how we would handle any other tooth. However, if they have not come in yet and we know they are likely to cause issues (or have become impacted), we’ll perform a surgical extraction. Our goal is to help you avoid dental problems, so we keep a close eye on wisdom teeth so we can recommend treatment before they are causing pain and other issues.

Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Immediately following a wisdom tooth extraction, a patient should expect to do three basic things. One, they should relax for the next day or two and avoid physical activity, as this will allow for a blood clot to form and kick off the healing process. Two, the gauze in their mouth should be changed every few hours, and the bleeding should mostly stop after the first day. And lastly, the patient should follow a soft food diet that primarily consists of items like scrambled eggs, (not too hot) soup, pudding, yogurt, and so on for about a week.