wisdom tooth extraction

What To Expect Before, During And After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

What happens when you get a wisdom tooth extracted? What can you expect after such a serious procedure? Let’s take a look in more detail below.

Wisdom teeth normally appear between the ages of 17 and 25, a period that is known as attaining ‘the age of wisdom’ – although they have nothing to do with providing wisdom.

Your local dentist may be the first to break the news during a routine inspection that a wisdom tooth is starting to breakthrough.

Not everyone develops this third set of molars but the average person normally produces four wisdom teeth and according to statistics at least 90% experience one or more impactions.

Impacted wisdom teeth occur when there is not enough space for the tooth to break through the gum causing pain, extreme discomfort, and other dental health risks. The worst thing a person can do is to ignore them.

Do Wisdom Teeth Have a Purpose?

Humans from prehistoric times had stronger, larger jaws and a third set of molars to help them chew through raw meat and tough plant matter.

They also tended to lose their teeth so a third set of molars developed at around 6 years of age ensuring that there was enough room for a second set to grow at age 12.

Fast forward through evolution to today and we find that the modern jaw size now has less space for wisdom teeth to erupt and they have a less functional purpose.

When to Have a Wisdom Tooth Extracted?

One of the main reasons for wisdom tooth extraction is when the tooth has become impacted or has erupted abnormally. The first symptoms are swelling, pain, and limited jaw mobility.

However, most people don’t experience any symptoms but it can still be problematic as wisdom teeth that do not grow in alignment with the rest of the teeth will not only cause tooth and gum problems but can also affect overall health.

Impacted teeth can lead to cysts, infection, and, most importantly, damage to adjacent teeth and proper jaw alignment.

If a wisdom tooth has room to erupt and is disease-free, it may be okay to leave it alone providing regular check-ups are carried out to track if there is any movement that will affect teeth alignment and there is no sign of disease.

The best age to remove wisdom teeth is during the teenage years as they present the least complications while the roots are not yet fully developed. As teeth continue to grow the roots become more established and reposition themselves.

As we get older extraction and related risks like injuring a nerve increases and after the age of thirty to forty and the recovery period tends to get longer.

What to Expect Before, During and After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Examination

It all starts with a proper examination that includes an X-ray to determine how the tooth is positioned and what procedure needs to be followed.

If it is a straightforward procedure the extraction will be carried out by an oral surgeon or you will be referred to a specialist if there is a risk of complications.

Sedation

A form of numbing medication will be applied depending on how difficult the procedure will be and also how nervous you are.

Depending on the type of anaesthesia you may be asked to avoid food and drink for a number of hours before surgery. Sedation includes:

  • Local anaesthesia where you will stay awake and feel a certain amount of pressure but no pain
  • Sedation where you will still be awake but experience lessened consciousness so that you won’t remember much
  • General anaesthesia where you will be completely knocked out.

Removal

The surgeon will make use of special instruments to disconnect the surrounding tissue before removing the tooth. Gauze plugs will be applied to promote blood clotting and help the wound heal faster. If necessary the surgeon will stitch the site up.

Recovery

After the procedure, you will be encouraged to take things easy for a while to allow yourself to heal. Depending on the type of sedation, you may feel a little groggy and need someone to take you home.

You will experience swelling and pain after the procedure and the surgeon will prescribe pain medication.

Your level of pain and discomfort will depend on how many teeth you had removed, whether they were impacted or not, and your personal sensitivity to pain.

Home Care

Barring complications, the pain will get better after a day or two. Ice packs can be applied to help relieve swelling and pain and to reduce the risk of bruising. You may be cautioned to eat only soft foods for a period of time.

Complications

Dry socket is one of the most common complications of wisdom tooth extraction and it is vitally important to follow post-procedure instructions carefully to avoid the excruciating pain from this condition.

You should stay hydrated and using a straw for a week or so may be recommended. However, using a straw for a long period of time may cause ‘dry socket’ to develop which is a very painful condition.

Dryness can cause the clot that formed over the extraction area to become dislodged, exposing nerves and bare bone, so can cleaning your mouth too forcefully or too soon after surgery.

In some cases removing wisdom teeth is essential; however, it is highly recommended to have them removed when you are younger rather than waiting until problems occur. The older the tooth the more difficult it becomes to remove.

Talk to your dentist if you are not sure whether you should have your wisdom teeth removed and why.

If you need to visit the dentist for advice on your wisdom teeth, or any type of dental procedure, then look no further than Gardens Dental.

Gardens Dental offers a full array of dental services in Taylors Lakes and Caroline Springs to help you and your family maintain healthy teeth. 

To learn more about our services or make an appointment, please contact us today on (03) 9449 2626 or through our website

regular dental check up

What Happens At A Dental Check-Up And Cleaning?

What actually happens when you go for a dental check-up? Let’s take a look at what happens at a dental check-up and how often you should have one.

Over 80% of Australians visit their dentist at least once a year for a dental check-up and clean. However, most people don’t have an idea about what to expect when they go for a dental check-up and clean.

Having someone work inside your mouth can cause a lot of stress if you don’t know what to expect when you are in the dental chair. This article provides information on what happens at a dental check-up and clean.

  • Say hello to the receptionist at the dental office
  • Meet the dental hygienist
  • Oral examination
  • Dental exams and x-rays
  • Results of the check-up

Say Hello To The Receptionist At The Dental Office

The receptionist is the first person who will greet you during a dental check-up and clean appointment. They will coordinate appointments and payments and make things flow smoothly during the appointment.

Make sure you greet the receptionist as soon as you enter the dental clinic because you should build a good relationship with them to help facilitate your future appointments.

They will notify you when you are supposed to come for the next appointment.

Meet The Dental Hygienist

The dental hygienist is the next person to greet you during the dental check-up and clean. You will be spending most of your time with this professional.

Dental hygienists are trained dental professionals who will take care of routine dental check-ups on behalf of patients. They will also assist the dentist in other dental procedures. A hygienist is an integral part of any dental set-up in Australia.

They make up a big part of the dental team that helps keep your oral health at its best.

Oral Examination

The dental hygienist will ask you about your medical history before performing any dental work on you. If you have been to the practice before, they will want to know if there have been any changes to your situation.

You should inform the hygienist if you have diabetes, arthritis, heart conditions or any other condition. They should also know about your mental health – whether you have depression, anxiety or panic attacks.

Once you share your health concerns, the hygienist will start to work on your teeth. They will clean your teeth by scraping off the plaque and tartar from the teeth. They will use teeth polisher to give your teeth a smooth and shiny finish.

Once they examine the teeth, the hygienist will have a look at any problems you may have in your mouth. The hygienist will examine your gums and other tissues in the mouth to see if there are any concerns.

Dental Exams And X-Rays

The dental exam is done by a qualified dentist. A dental x-ray will be taken to see if there are issues below the surface of your gums.

The dentist will use the x-ray to see if there are issues like loss of jawbone, fractures, and other oral abnormalities below the visible gum line. They will also look for problems such as teeth grinding, teeth alignment, and oral cancer.

Once all this has been done, the dentist will have a complete understanding of your oral health. They will prescribe treatments for any dental issue you may have.

Results Of The Check-Up

Once the check-up is complete, your dentist will let you know what exactly is going on in your mouth. They will advise about the next step you need to take. The final step is to let you know when your next dental appointment is going to be.

If you need to visit the dentist for a check-up or any type of dental procedure, then look no further than Gardens Dental.

Gardens Dental offers a full array of dental services in Taylors Lakes and Caroline Springs area to help you and your family maintain healthy teeth. 

To learn more about our services or make an appointment, please contact us today on (03) 9449 2626 or through our website