Wisdom Tooth Extractions - Fairfax, VA

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

You may have heard about wisdom teeth before, but did you know that they have actually been around for thousands of years? In the past, wisdom teeth were meant to replace molars in case they fell out due to poor oral hygiene or primitive diets. Today, it’s much easier to practice oral care and maintain a consistent diet, but wisdom teeth continue to erupt.

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

It’s rare that a patient won’t need to have any wisdom teeth removed because the mouth is not typically large enough to accommodate them. If you begin to notice tooth pain in the back of your mouth and you are between the ages of 18 and 25, there’s a chance that your wisdom teeth are just beginning to erupt. Call our Fairfax dental office so one of our dedicated dentists can perform an exam. If we believe that your wisdom teeth are crowding your smile or putting you at risk for an oral infection, we will likely recommend removal.

What to Expect from the Wisdom Teeth Procedure

At your consultation, we will determine several important factors that influence what your procedure will look like, including if you want sedation dentistry to calm your nerves. The day of your wisdom teeth removal, we’ll get you comfortably settled into the treatment chair before thoroughly numbing the area of your mouth that we’re working on.

If your wisdom teeth are below your gumline, then we will create an incision in your gums before using special instruments to remove them. If, on the other hand, they’ve already erupted, then we will simply use our tools to gently rock them loose. Before you leave, we will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions as well.

Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Following your wisdom tooth removal, it’s very important that you take the right steps to promote healing and prevent a painful condition known as dry socket. Make sure to:

• Replace the provided gauze pad every few hours or when it becomes soaked to keep the wound clean.
• Avoid smoking at all costs.
• Avoid using straws for the next 24 to 48 hours after treatment.
• Do not vigorously rinse your mouth out with water.
• Do not touch the wound.
• Take prescription medications as recommended by our dental office.
• Keep your head elevated while lying down to promote healing.
• Apply cold ice packs to your face to reduce swelling.
• Practice routine oral care as usual while making sure to avoid the treated area.
• Stick to a soft diet for the next few days.
• Avoid strenuous activities for the next week.