If you’ve been to your Houston dentist and they say it’s time for wisdom teeth removal, the fear of having teeth pulled can eat away at you and cause a lot of stress.
While the overall experience isn’t a pleasant one, wisdom teeth removal at a Houston dentist is a pretty simple procedure and you will be fully recovered within a couple weeks.
Why Do I Need Wisdom Teeth Removal?
When wisdom teeth are healthy and properly aligned, there’s no reason to take them out. However, if they do pose a potential problem, it’s important to remove them as soon as possible.
Because of the location of your wisdom teeth, they may not come in properly. The back of your mouth can be a tight space, and if your mouth is too small, the teeth can cause problems in your jaw.
If the teeth don’t erupt fully, known as being impacted, that can also pose an issue. A partially exposed tooth cannot be fully cleaned, and bacteria can gather more easily.
Wisdom teeth that come in at an angle can press on the adjacent teeth, causing pain and increasing wear.
Since your wisdom teeth are at the back of your mouth, they can sometimes be difficult to clean thoroughly. As a result, they can be prone to getting cavities or gum disease.
Getting Through Wisdom Teeth Removal
Having your wisdom teeth taken out is not a fun experience, but it can prevent a lot of serious problems later in life.
Before surgery, your Houston dentist will explain how the surgery will go, what to expect, and how to prepare for it.
During the surgery, you will be given a local anesthetic and also have sedation dentistry to help minimize discomfort.
The sedation dentistry helps you feel relaxed and in some cases it can bring you right to the edge of consciousness. This helps reduce the sensation of pain during the procedure, but keeping you awake helps your Houston dentist give instructions to make the procedure easier.
After the surgery is complete, you should have someone drive you home to rest. The effects of the sedation will wear off within a few hours, so your Houston dentist may provide you with a prescription for pain medication.
Swelling peaks within about three days, and bleeding and soreness will subside over the course of a week or two. After that, you’ll be all done and not have to worry about your wisdom teeth causing you any problems!
