Grande Prairie Family Dental Clinic offers wisdom teeth removal services.

Wisdom teeth also known as the third molars are removed by the dentist for most of the clients these days. This wisdom teeth removal is advised due to different reasons.

Wisdom teeth are commonly removed during the teenage period during growth and development. The lack of space to accommodate a third molar in the jaw is leading to the removal. Wisdom teeth that are formed in the jaws can get trapped under the bone and gums. This can cause pain or cause infections and bone resorption. This condition of teeth getting trapped under the bone and gums is called impacted teeth. Wisdom molars have a high incidence of getting impacted and are advised to be removed to avoid further complications.

Wisdom teeth can also erupt at a different angle and press to the adjacent teeth causing gum inflammation, pain, and food lodgment leading to dental cavities. In such cases also wisdom teeth are recommended to be removed.

In a few scenarios, wisdom teeth get erupted but get dental cavities and gum disease because the client could not keep them clean during oral home care. since these teeth are far back and not accessible, they have to be removed.

Why remove wisdom teeth at a young age?

Removing wisdom teeth at a young age makes the procedure easier since the bones are less dense, and the roots of the wisdom teeth might not have fully developed. Clients of young age have better and faster healing to the procedure.

Is wisdom teeth removal painful?

Like any other dental procedure, the pain can be managed by freezing( local anesthetics). Grande Family Dental Clinic can also offer you conscious sedation options for wisdom teeth extraction such as Nitrous Oxide sedation and Oral sedation pills. Be aware that wisdom teeth removal can take longer because of the complexity of the case. Post-procedural pain is easily manageable by the medication that is prescribed to you by the dentist.

How long does it take to recover after the procedure?

Wisdom teeth removal procedure like any other permanent teeth removal takes a week or two to heal. Even though the procedure is called a minor surgical procedure there is no need to get hospitalized or be in bed rest after the procedure unless general anesthetics are used. You can eat food after the procedure when you are ready to have some. A soft diet is recommended after the wisdom teeth extraction for 4-5 days.

Swelling and discoloration of skin are to be expected after the wisdom teeth extraction and they subside slowly and disappear in a week’s time. Ice packs can help in reducing such swellings.

After the procedure

When your procedure is complete, surgical gauze will be placed in your mouth for you to bite on for the next 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, take two (2) pieces of gauze from the package we have provided you with, dampen them with water, fold both pieces in half and place back into your mouth. Bite down with firm pressure for an additional 20 minutes. This firm pressure encourages the formation of a blood clot, which allows the extraction site to heal.

• Please ensure the gauze is dampened before placing it into your mouth as dry gauze will pull on the clot that has started to form and will restart the healing process.
• Bleeding over the next few days post-surgery is normal. If you feel it is necessary, repeat the steps in the first paragraph to promote the formation of another blood clot in the extraction site.
• Swelling and bruising are normal on the cheek and even down to the neck. To reduce swelling, place an ice pack wrapped in a towel on the area. Avoid placing ice packs continuously on for longer periods and try keeping them on and off.
• Over the next week, avoid or limit, drinking through a straw, spitting, smoking, working out, and/or heavy lifting as these activities can cause negative pressure to form in your mouth which could result in the newly formed clot becoming dislodged.
• A soft food diet for the next 4 to 5 days is recommended. Avoid spicy foods as they can cause irritation to the gums or foods that contain small grains/seeds as they can become stuck in the pocket created by the extraction. Examples of acceptable foods include eggs, pasta, soup, yogurt or smoothies that do not contain fruit seeds.
• Mouthwashes or rinses could cause irritation to the gums and should not be used following your surgery. After 24 hours after the extraction saltwater rinses are recommended before bed and after meals to keep the area of the mouth clean. Avoid the area with your toothbrush and do not swish the salt water vigorously as negative pressure may form and slow healing.
• If sutures (stitches) have been placed, they will dissolve on their own in 7 to 10 days, you do not need to return to the office to have these removed.
• Take the medication the dentist has prescribed to you as directed.

•