Here at Jeffrey J. Glaser, DDS, we are proud to offer wisdom teeth extraction for our patients in Plano, TX and the surrounding area. Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars. Most people start to get their wisdom teeth when they are teenagers, though some teeth don’t come in until you are in your early twenties. Wisdom teeth have a purpose. They are another set of molars, but more often than not they cause more problems than they are worth. Wisdom teeth can come in misaligned, facing any direction. They can even try to come in horizontally, growing into your other teeth. This can damage your nerves and even your jawbone.

There are also times when your wisdom teeth can become impacted and are not able to come through the gums. They can also come in partially, allowing food to catch in the area and cause plaque to build up. This can lead to bacteria and infection, which will only get worse.

Since wisdom teeth are often harmful, most dentists recommend their removal. The surgery goes much better if you get the teeth removed before any signs of problem. The recovery is easier also. Surgery and recovery are also easier when you are younger.

Though surgery can be scary, our skilled dentists and entire staff at Jeffrey J. Glaser, DDS will be glad to help you throughout the process. We will explain the whole procedure step by step until you are comfortable. We are also here for you after you go home. We are just a phone call away.

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Since many people worry about having surgery, we have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs).

What are the common symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth?
Most people complain of pain and swelling of the gums right above the impaction. This can be due to infection or just tension from the teeth hitting each other. Another less obvious symptom of an impacted wisdom tooth is bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth from infection and debris buildup. Some people don’t realize that they have a problem until they have pus coming out of their gums. You may also have some soreness, tenderness, or pain when eating and talking. Some people even complain of an earache.

What should I expect after surgery?
Recovery is pretty quick following wisdom teeth extraction, as long as you were not having too many problems. After a few days, you should be feeling much better. Over-the-counter pain medication can help you in the first few days following the surgery.

You will also experience some bleeding, so it is important to change your gauze pads as needed. This bleeding should subside within twenty-four hours. You shouldn’t lie flat. Use extra pillows to keep your head elevated. This will slow the bleeding down.

You should also use ice against your cheek for twenty-four hours. After that, you can use a warm washcloth for a few more days if you want.

Your body will need to relax after surgery. If you are too active, you may bleed more. You also need to watch what you eat and drink. Eat soft foods. You shouldn’t drink from a straw. That can loosen the blood clot in your mouth.

What are the risks of surgery?
Though there are always risks to every surgery, it is important to realize that the risks of leaving impacted wisdom teeth in is worse than removing them.

Some risks of surgery include pain and swelling. Bleeding that won’t stop after about a day. Dry socket is a painful condition that occurs when the blood clot is lost too soon.

Rarer side effects include numbness that does not go away and a fractured jaw. There are also times when the sinus cavity is opened during surgery. This can cause a very bad infection, especially if left untreated after your surgery.