If your wisdom teeth are impacted in your gums or crowding your teeth, they need to be extracted as soon as possible.
Our dentists in Fremantle can even remove wisdom teeth before they have fully erupted, so you or your children don’t have to worry about them causing problems in the future.
Who needs wisdom teeth removal?
Wisdom teeth don’t always cause problems, but if you don’t have enough space in your mouth for extra teeth or your wisdom teeth are trapped in your gums, they can become impacted and cause serious problems for your oral health.
These wisdom teeth are the last to develop and usually erupt after the age of 18. At On Point Dental we can extract wisdom teeth at any age, even while they are still developing and are easier to remove.
What are the benefits of wisdom teeth removal?
Early wisdom teeth removal is a preventative measure that can help you or your child avoid possible oral health issues later in life.
We also recommend wisdom teeth removal if these teeth are:
- Trapped in your gum (impacted)
- At risk of causing infection
- Crowding your other teeth
- Causing food to become trapped
- Making it difficult to brush and floss.
How are wisdom teeth removed?
We will take x-rays of your mouth during your consultation for wisdom teeth removal to determine the best course of treatment.
Wisdom teeth that are fully emerged can sometimes be removed with general extraction, loosening and pulling the tooth without the need for surgery. Local anaesthetic will be used to numb the area so you won’t feel any pain or discomfort.
However, if your wisdom teeth are stuck in the gums or have not yet emerged, we will need to open the gum to access the jaw and remove the tooth in pieces. This is a more complex dental procedure that may be performed under IV sedation or general anaesthesia.
Post wisdom teeth removal surgery
After your wisdom teeth have been removed, there are a few aftercare instructions to be mindful of.
- After surgery, gently bite into a gauze pad to soak up blood. If the area continues to bleed after 24 hours, contact your dentist immediately.
- Avoid biting the insides of your mouth, tongue or lips.
- Avoid consuming hot food or drinks.
- In 20-minute intervals, apply an ice pack to your cheek to avoid swelling.
- Enjoy soft foods like soup, smoothies, jelly and yogurt for the first few days, before introducing harder foods back into your diet.
- Do not vigorously rinse out your mouth within the first 24 hours, as this can dislodge the blood clots. After this time, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
- Avoid drinking through a straw for 72 hours after surgery, as it can dislodge the blood clot.
- Avoid smoking until your mouth has completely healed.
- Maintain a good oral hygiene routine by brushing twice daily and flossing once daily. Be careful not to brush over the blood clot for the first 72 hours.
