The Wisdom in Taking Care
of Your Wisdom Teeth

Why are wisdom teeth important? 

Estimates are that 90 percent of people will experience at least one
impacted wisdom tooth in their lifetime. These impacted wisdom teeth
(technically impacted third molars) do not fully come in to the mouth and
can cause pain, inflammation, infection, and damage to nearby teeth.
Fortunately experienced dentists can easily extract such teeth.

The Problem with Wisdom Teeth

Problems caused by wisdom teeth can serious and the earlier they are
treated the better. Teeth removed before age 20 have less developed
roots and the removal leads to fewer complications. Many dentists recommend that everyone between 16 and 19 have their wisdom teeth evaluated.

Wisdom tooth removal is typically effective in preventing:

• Overcrowding of the back teeth.
• A wisdom tooth never breaking through the gums and becoming stuck in the jaw (impacted).
• Red, swollen, infected, and painful gums caused by skin surrounding a wisdom tooth that has only partially come in.
• Gum disease and tooth decay in a wisdom tooth, which may be harder to clean than other teeth, or in the teeth and jaw in the area of the wisdom tooth
  (Source: WebMD.com).

The Good News on Wisdom Teeth

A dentist can usually extract your wisdom tooth in the comfort of a dentist’s chair. Before the procedure, of course, you will receive an anaesthetic for your comfort.

When removing a wisdom tooth, your Glen Waverley dentist will open the gum tissue over or around the tooth and take out any bone that is covering the tooth. They will separate the tissue connecting the tooth to the bone and then remove the tooth.

If you received general anaesthesia you will go to a recovery room after the process. If you received local anaesthesia your recovery time will be brief, usually in the dentist’s chair.

After your Procedure

• As you heal from your surgery, follow your dentist’s instructions on:

• Bleeding – Some bleeding is to be expected, and your dentist will tell you how to minimize it.
• Pain management –Your dentist may recommend painkillers, either OTC or prescription, as well as application of an ice pack.
• Swelling and bruising – Use an ice pack as directed by your dentist.
• Activity. Plan to rest for the remainder of the day and avoid strenuous activities for up to a week.
• Beverages. Drink plenty of water after the surgery, but not alcoholic, caffeinated, carbonated or hot beverages for 24 hours. Don’t drink with a straw for at least a week.
• Food. Eat only non-spicy soft foods, such as yogurt or applesauce, for the first 24 hours.
• Cleaning your mouth. Don’t brush your teeth, rinse your mouth, spit or use mouthwash for 24 hours after surgery.
• Tobacco use. Stop smoking for at least 72 hours after surgery and don’t use chewing tobacco for a week.

While wisdom tooth removal is serious, there is little to fear from it. A patient who has their procedure at the end of the week can usually expect to be back to work or school after the weekend.

Wisdom Tooth Removal in Glen Waverley

If you have difficulty with a wisdom tooth, don’t wait! Talk to us at EK Dental Surgery in Glen Waverley to find out more about extraction. Our highly experienced doctors will provide you excellent care.

Book your appointment online or call us on (03) 9887 8787 today. EK Dental Surgery is conveniently located on Springvale Road in Glen Waverley.

Our Special Offers

At EK Dental Surgery, our goal is to make quality dental care affordable. We encourage you to take advantage of our latest offers. To find out more, visit our special offers page today!