Wisdom Tooth Extractions – Cambria, CA

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

What are the wisdom teeth, and why are they so wise? In truth, they get their name from the fact that they are typically the last set of teeth to come in, appearing sometime around the late teens or early twenties. They are a third set of molars, and while they were important to our caveman ancestors, they just tend to cause problems for humans today.

In the past (as in thousands of years ago), the human diet mostly consisted of very tough and hard to chew foods, such as uncooked plants, roots, and meats. This meant that the teeth primarily needed to break the food down (the molars) usually became worn out and cracked over time, so having an extra set came in very handy.

However, thanks to modern cooking methods that make food much easier to chew and the invention of dentistry, these teeth are now basically unnecessary. So, overtime, the size of the average human jaw began to shrink, but the teeth themselves never went away. As a result, most people simply don’t have enough room in their mouth for the wisdom teeth, which is why they often need to be extracted.

Why the Wisdom Teeth Are Usually Removed

As the wisdom teeth start to come in, they tend to cause a whole array of problems. Often, they put pressure on the teeth currently in the mouth, which can cause pain and even crowding if left alone for too long. This can eventually cause the wisdom teeth to shift and try to come in sideways, which can lead to even more pain. They often become impacted, or stuck within the gums or jawbone, and this can cause them to develop an infection that, if left untreated, can reach all the way down to the jawbone, damaging the foundation of the back teeth.

Thankfully, simply removing these teeth in a timely manner can help a patient avoid all of these issues, and that’s our primary goal here at Cambria Smiles.

How a Wisdom Tooth Extraction Works

Ideally, we would have the chance to remove the wisdom teeth before they cause any problems. We would do this by taking X-rays at a patient's regular checkups, and if we see that the wisdom teeth are about to become an issue, we can recommend that they be removed. However, if a patient is already experiencing pain or pressure, we can organize for the procedure to be performed right away.

First, we will numb the patient’s mouth using local anesthesia, and we’ll likely administer nitrous oxide sedation to help calm any nerves someone might be feeling.

At this point, the position of the wisdom teeth will influence what we do next. If a tooth is already mostly erupted, we’ll simply hold it with a pair of dental forceps and gently rock the tooth back and forth until it slips out on its own.

However, if a tooth is still stuck within the gums or jawbone, we’ll need to remove any tissue blocking it before it can be safely extracted. Afterward, we’ll close the treatment site with self-dissolving stitches.

What to Expect After a Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Right after a wisdom tooth extraction, a patient will be advised to take the rest of the day easy and stick to a soft food diet for the next few days. They should keep their head elevated to ensure the area clots properly, plus they’ll need to change their dressings every few hours.

The total healing time can vary from patient to patient, but in most cases, patients should be able to resume their normal activities and their regular diet after about a week. One tip is for patients to stock up on softer foods (soup, noodles, gelatin, pudding, etc.) before their procedure so they don’t have to go to the store while recovering.

We’re Here to Help

If you or your child are starting to have problems concerning the wisdom teeth, getting treatment as soon as possible is the key to relieving any pain and having a quick recovery. To learn more about the wisdom teeth and how we can help you at Cambria Smiles, give us a call today.