Wisdom Teeth Removal Specialist In Salt Lake City, UT
Approximately 5 million Americans go for wisdom teeth removal each year to protect their oral health as impacted teeth can cause painful symptoms. At Warm Family Dentistry, Dr. Scott Cold frequently performs wisdom teeth removals in Salt Lake City, UT, 84123. If you notice pain, aching, or swelling in the back of your mouth, come see Dr. Cold find out if your wisdom teeth need to be extracted. Call or use the online scheduling tool today and make an appointment at the Salt Lake City, Utah, office.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Q & A
What are wisdom teeth?
Your wisdom teeth are the last of your permanent teeth to come in. On average, they appear between the ages of 17-21. They’re also called your third molars since they appear behind your back molars.
Sometimes, your wisdom teeth come in normally and may actually help you chew better. However, in other cases, they can cause other dental problems.
Why would I need to get my wisdom teeth removed?
Since the rest of your permanent teeth have already been in your mouth for years, there may not be room for your wisdom teeth when they come in. This can lead to some functional problems and painful symptoms.
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause:
- Pain, swelling, and stiffness in your jaw
- Crowding or damage to surrounding teeth
- Trapped food behind your molars where bacteria can grow and accumulate
- Difficulty flossing between them and the neighboring molars
- Bacteria entering the gums and causing infection
Every situation is unique, but if your wisdom teeth are causing you pain or threatening your overall oral health, Dr. Cold will likely recommend getting them removed.
How is wisdom teeth extraction done?
Prior to the procedure, Dr. Cold goes over the whole process with you and answers any questions you might have. During the procedure, he provides anesthesia, the type and amount depending on the complications of your case and your comfort level.
First, Dr. Cold makes an incision in your gum to expose the tooth and surrounding bone. It’s important for him to remove any bone inhibiting access to your wisdom teeth. Usually, he divides the tooth into sections and removes it in pieces.
Dr. Cold then cleans the site, stitches the incision, and places gauze over the extraction site to stop any bleeding. The procedure can be as brief as 30 minutes or as long as 90 minutes, depending on the size of your tooth or teeth and how many wisdom teeth he removes.
What is recovery from a wisdom teeth removal like?
Your recovery period lasts from at least 2-3 days up to a week, in which you can experience swelling and discomfort. Use ice to bring down the swelling.
Dr. Cold prescribes pain medications to ease you through recovery. Make sure you get lots of rest and only eat soft foods like ice cream or yogurt. Also, you can’t brush your teeth, rinse your mouth, or use mouthwash for the first 24 hours after the procedure.
If you notice anything out of the ordinary with your wisdom teeth, such as swelling that worsens after a few days, call your dentist who performed a wisdom tooth extraction in Salt Lake City, UT.