Wisdom Teeth Removal at Dental Specialty Associates

Wisdom Teeth typically come in between the ages of 17-25, however, they can come in as early as 14 years old. It’s typically best to intervene with wisdom teeth as soon as they come in. The less time they have to develop roots makes for an easier recovery and procedure.

There are some potential benefits to keeping your wisdom teeth if they are growing in without causing any issues and your medical provider approves it.

Keeping your wisdom teeth can maintain the natural structure of the jaw, improve chewing, and support your neighboring teeth. If you decide to keep your wisdom teeth increased attention to oral hygiene is needed. Wisdom teeth are located in a position where keeping them clean can be difficult.

About ⅓ of people are born without wisdom teeth. They may also not be visible because they haven’t grown out yet, or are impacted.

Unless the wisdom tooth was already loose, it’s rare any oral surgeon would perform a wisdom teeth removal without some type of numbing. There are many factors to be considered when choosing the right sedation route like the type of type of wisdom tooth, and the comfort level of the patient.

Absolutely! This is one of the most common signs wisdom teeth are ready for removal. As wisdom teeth grow in, they can bother and even damage the nerves, causing headaches. A wisdom tooth headache often feels like a dull recurring pain in the jaw, temples or behind the eyes.

Ear pain typically occurs in those with impacted wisdom teeth.

After wisdom teeth removal, it is recommended to stick to soft cold foods for the first day such as; ice cream, applesauce, yogurt, pudding, and jello. After the first 24 hours, continue with soft foods until you are feeling up to eating harder to chew solids, such as: mashed potatoes, pasta, and soup. 

Be sure to listen to your oral surgeon for the best recommendations on which foods, and how long you should be eating them before you can start to incorporate hard foods again.

After wisdom teeth removal, it’s generally advised to limit talking for the first few hours to minimize bleeding and aid in clot formation. Soft or minimal talking can usually be resumed within the same day as the procedure, depending on individual comfort and instructions from the oral surgeon. However, extensive or strenuous talking should be avoided for a few days to ensure proper healing.

You can brush your teeth the day after the surgery, being careful around the surgical sites. It’s recommended to skip the electric toothbrush for about 2 weeks.

It’s best to hold off on the coffee after wisdom teeth removal for between 48-72 hours.

For the first 48 hours after wisdom teeth removal, it’s recommended to not drink soda or alcohol.

The preferred amount of time to wait to smoke after wisdom teeth removal is 72 hours. Smoking after surgery can lead to the loss of the blood clot, or worse, dry socket.

Foods like pasta and rice should wait a minimum of 3 days to be eaten. Your medical provider may ask you to wait up to 2 weeks to eat rice because the risk of it getting stuck in your wound.

Sedation may be a good option if you:

• Have dental anxiety or fear
• Need multiple procedures in one visit
• Have a strong gag reflex
• Have difficulty getting numb
• Avoid the dentist due to past trauma

Yes, for oral or IV sedation, you’ll need someone to drive you to and from your appointment. Nitrous oxide wears off quickly and usually doesn’t require a driver.

Sedation costs vary depending on the method used and length of the procedure. Some insurance plans may cover part of it. We’re happy to provide an estimate and discuss payment options.

We offer several options, including:

• Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas)
• Oral Sedation (pill form)
• IV Sedation (conscious sedation)

Each type is tailored to your needs and level of anxiety.