Wisdom Tooth Extractions Des Plaines
Don’t Let Wisdom Teeth Endanger Your Smile
Are you experiencing symptoms like pain at the back of your mouth, swelling, or tender gums? If so, your wisdom teeth might be to blame. Fortunately, at Brite Smiles, we can remove your wisdom teeth so you can get back to enjoying optimum oral health. Call us today if you have concerns about your third molars or you simply want to learn more about wisdom tooth extractions in our Des Plaines, IL, dental office.
Why Choose Brite Smiles for Wisdom Tooth Extractions?
- Friendly, Honest Dental Team
- State-of-the-Art Technology
- Multiple Options for Sedation
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars, which develop at the very back of the mouth. Most people get one in each quadrant of their mouth. For ancient human ancestors, wisdom teeth were essential for survival; they helped people to consume a rough diet that consisted of things like nuts, leaves, and raw meats. Today, though, wisdom teeth have become unnecessary due to modern food processing techniques.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
The wisdom teeth attempt to erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. Unfortunately, at that point, there likely is not enough space in your mouth for new teeth. As a result, wisdom teeth often become impacted (stuck beneath the gumline) or grow in at improper angles. Not only is this painful, but it might also put your other teeth at risk.
Possible complications of wisdom teeth include:
- Pain
- Cysts and tumors
- Infections in the gums and teeth
- Jaw stiffness
- Facial swelling
- Persistent bad breath
Of course, wisdom tooth removal is not necessary in all cases. When you visit us for a consultation, we can let you know whether your third molars should be extracted.
What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure
If your wisdom teeth are not impacted, removing them should be fairly simple. We will lift each tooth with an instrument called an elevator before we grip it with forceps and carefully remove it from its socket. We use local anesthesia and sedation to make patients comfortable during this process.
If your wisdom teeth are impacted, we may need to make incisions in your gums or break them into pieces in order to successfully extract them. Again, we place a high priority on patient comfort throughout this procedure.
Recovering From Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Recovery from wisdom teeth removal usually takes three to four days, although it can take longer depending on the complexity of the procedure. You can use pain medication to relieve your discomfort, and you can use a cold pack to reduce any swelling. Eat only soft foods such as yogurt or applesauce for the first 24 hours; you can gradually start introducing other foods into your diet when you can tolerate them. After the first day, you should gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water every two hours to keep it clean. You should also avoid the use of straws and cigarettes during your recovery period.
