Having your wisdom teeth removed can give you freedom from pain and irritation, but it takes time to recover from the surgery. For this reason, it is a good idea to give careful consideration to the scheduling of your wisdom teeth removal surgery.

As with any dental procedure, it is a good idea to get comprehensive professional advice about the removal of your wisdom teeth. Oral surgeons can advice you about the recovery period, as well as what to expect before, during and after the procedure. In addition to this professional advice, here are some general considerations you may want to take into account when scheduling wisdom teeth removal in Washington DC.

Wisdom teeth make their appearance between the ages of 17 and 25. Sometimes this happens without problems, although there can be pain as the tooth breaks through the gum. Occasionally, however, the tooth becomes impacted, which means that it is stuck in the gum with no space to break through. An impacted wisdom tooth often needs to be removed because there is a risk of infection. To assess whether it is necessary to remove your impacted wisdom teeth, dentists monitor the teeth to look for signs of infection, cysts, or damage to the nearby molars. Then, typically you will be referred to a highly qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeon for the removal of your wisdom teeth.

Between the ages of 17 and 25, it is essential to attend regular check-ups to monitor the wisdom teeth. Oral surgeons will advise you if the teeth need to be removed to prevent problems developing. It is easier to remove a wisdom tooth when the patient is young, around the age of 17 or 18, before the tooth becomes firmly rooted; therefore you may be advised to have the tooth removed even though it is not causing you any pain or other problems. If your dentist suggests extraction, it is a good idea to try to find a time when you can comfortably fit the surgery into your schedule.

Scheduling Removal of Wisdom Teeth

Recovering from surgery to remove your wisdom teeth can take a few days. During the initial few hours, your mouth will still be numb from the anesthetic, making speaking or eating difficult, and the wound may still be bleeding. You may also have some pain and swelling for a day or so, which can be relieved by using an ice pack. For a few days you will have to follow a diet of soft foods while the extraction site heals. These factors can make it difficult to keep up with your usual work or study commitments.

For young people who are still attending school or college, the long summer break or the holiday break are the ideal times to have wisdom teeth removed without the recovery period interfering with their studies. Working people should try to find a period when they are less busy at work, as you will probably want to take a couple of days off to rest and recover. When you have your wisdom teeth removed, try to take it easy for a few days and follow the instructions of your dentist regarding which foods to eat and how to take care of yourself.

Together we will:

  • Develop a custom plan to manage your wisdom teeth
  • Already visited a dentist? Get a qualified 2nd opinion to see if you need them removed
  • Possibly find out for sure that you don’t need them removed

Contact Dr. Emery today to set up your free consultation and develop your plan for managing your wisdom teeth.