A set of four extra molars in your mouth may sound like a helpful thing, but when it comes to wisdom teeth, they are as useless as the appendix in your body. They are just there without any function.

The reason why wisdom teeth are so popular when it comes to tooth extraction is that they can unleash a host of problems for your mouth ranging from tooth decay, oral hygiene problems, and even gum diseases. 

Even the best dental care can’t get you relief if a wisdom tooth decides to erupt in the wrong position. The only way to have them leave your mouth is to have them removed by a dentist or oral surgeon.

The Problem with Wisdom Teeth

• Wisdom teeth start to erupt at the ages of 17 or 20. Sometimes, these teeth can be impacted. This typically happens when they try to force their way into a spot where there is no room left. This can crowd the rest of your teeth which can result in a host of new problems.

When wisdom teeth grow at an angle on the sides, they might get trapped in the jawbone causing potential problems like fluid-filled cysts, pain, and damage to other teeth. They can even make it 

• The wisdom teeth even make it harder for some people to clean their teeth which can lead to gum disease and other problems like bleeding or swollen gums and bad breath. Sometimes they can even cause you to feel pain so much that it becomes harder to open your mouth fully.

Wisdom teeth can cause problems and discomfort even when they erupt properly. The only way to find relief is to remove the tooth itself through a wisdom teeth removal procedure available at our dental offices in Everett and Seattle.

• With that out of the way, here are some facts you need to know about wisdom tooth removal procedure.

It Begins with an Oral Exam

• As with any other procedures, the wisdom tooth procedure starts with a detailed oral examination which typically includes a dental X-ray to see the situation with your wisdom teeth. The dentist ideally wants to see the position they are at and how much room they’ve got to grow.

The dentist usually doesn’t remove the wisdom tooth immediately. They will wait for symptoms to appear and then schedule an appointment with you to have them removed. Depending on your personal situation, the removal process is carried out by a dentist or oral surgeon.

The Procedure is Pain-Free

• Luckily for you, the wisdom tooth removal procedure is typically pain-free. The dentist will give you general anesthesia or a numbing mechanism such as general anesthetic, local anesthetic, or sedation to help make the pain go away. 

Before you go for the procedure, you will be asked to avoid eating and drinking for a number of hours. This also depends on the type of anesthesia you will be getting from the dentist. Once your jaw is numb, the dentist will use a special tool to loosen and disconnect the tissue near the wisdom teeth and will then move to remove extract them.

Recovery is Often Discomforting

• Although the wisdom tooth removal procedure is pain-free, the same cannot be said for the recovery process. You will likely feel discomfort and pain hours after the procedure and the effects of the anesthesia have gone. 

The dentist will also recommend a different diet plan for you to follow in the next couple of days. This usually consists of soft foods and room temperature beverages. 

• Sometimes the cheeks can even be swollen immediately after the procedure. This is normal and should go away within a few hours. Typically, the discomfort you experience depends on how many teeth were removed and how badly they were positioned. 

If the wisdom tooth was not impacted, there may be slight discomfort only. You can use an ice pack to find immediate relief from pain. Sometimes the dentist will also recommend pain killers if you are sensitive to pain.

Hydration is Very Important

• After the procedure has been completed, you will be advised to keep yourself well hydrated. This is to make sure that you do not get a dry socket – a painful condition where the clot from the extraction can get dislodged, exposing the nerves and bare bones. 

Make sure to ask all the questions that pop in your head. Post-wisdom tooth removal care is very important to make it as comforting for you as possible.

Visit Only Experienced Dentists

Wisdom tooth removal procedure is quite simple, at least that is what most people think. There is a lot of other things involved other than simply pulling the teeth out.

That being said, always make sure that you are visiting an experienced dentist who knows what they are doing. A dentist will never immediately suggest removing the wisdom tooth. They will thoroughly examine the condition of the tooth before recommending extraction.

At Icon Dental Center, we have been extracting impacted wisdom teeth at our dental offices in Seattle and Everett for years. Once we determine that tooth extraction is needed, we thoroughly review the process with you.

Our dentists also make sure to provide you with all the necessary things you need to help follow your post-extraction care.