Wisdom tooth extractions are one of the most common oral surgeries in America. It’s estimated that up to 10 million wisdom tooth extractions are done every year. But If you need one or more of your wisdom teeth to be extracted in San Diego, you may be intimidated and unsure about what to expect.
So in this blog, the team at Rio Vista Family Dentistry will discuss the basics of the procedure, how it works, and what you can expect as you heal and recover. Read on, learn more, and see why wisdom teeth extraction in San Diego is nothing to worry about!
What To Expect From Basic Wisdom Tooth Extractions (Erupted Teeth)
First, let’s discuss what will happen if your wisdom teeth have erupted fully, but our dentists have determined they should be removed to protect your oral health. Extracting fully-erupted wisdom teeth is very simple.
To begin the process, your dentist will clean your mouth and numb the treatment area. Once the area has been prepared and it’s numb, they will use special tools to loosen and wiggle the tooth in its socket. This weakens the tooth and the periodontal ligament, allowing it to be extracted.
Once the tooth has been loosened, your dentist will use a pair of dental forceps to grab the tooth tightly. Then, they will pull it out of your mouth. Once that’s done, the area will be cleaned and disinfected. Finally, it will be sutured shut to ensure proper healing.
What To Expect From Surgical Wisdom Tooth Extractions (Impacted Teeth)
If your wisdom tooth is impacted, a surgical extraction may be needed to remove it. An impacted wisdom tooth is a tooth that has not fully emerged from your gums. Because of this, it’s not usually possible to remove it using the simple extraction process.
To begin a surgical extraction, your mouth will be cleaned, prepared, and numbed. Then, your dentist will use dental tools to make a small incision in your gums, next to the wisdom tooth. Through this opening, they will cut the tooth into small parts, extracting it from the area bit-by-bit. Once the entire tooth has been removed, the extraction site will be disinfected and sutured shut.
What Can I Expect As I Recover From My Extraction?
It usually takes up to 1-2 weeks to fully heal from your wisdom tooth extraction. Your dentist at Rio Vista Family Dentistry will give you a full set of instructions to follow. These will ensure that you heal quickly after your procedure. Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect as you recover.
- Immediately after surgery – You will experience some pain and discomfort once your numbing wears off. You’ll also need to follow your dentist’s instructions to minimize bleeding. You should eat only soft foods, and go home to rest and relax. Avoid using a straw, spitting forcefully, or brushing your extraction site directly. This could damage the blood clot that’s forming in the extraction site.
- 24-72 hours after surgery – Your pain may continue, but it should get better day-by-day. You also should not be bleeding heavily. You should continue to rest and avoid heavy exercise, and you should eat liquid or soft foods like smoothies, shakes, and soft eggs.
- 3-7 days after surgery – After about 3 days, symptoms like pain, bruising, and swelling should start to fade. You can start brushing the extraction site gently during this time, and you can start eating slightly firmer foods like rice, soft bread, and pasta. You can also start exercising again.
- 1-2 weeks after surgery – After a week, you can start eating most of your favorite foods, but you should still avoid very hard and crunchy foods. You should be feeling very little pain or discomfort. After about 2 weeks, your mouth should be fully healed. Your extraction site may still feel a little bit tender to the touch, but you can eat your normal diet and go back to your normal routine.
Get Expert Wisdom Teeth Extractions In San Diego From Rio Vista Family Dentistry!
At Rio Vista Family Dentistry, our dentists are here to help you get the care you need for a healthy mouth. We offer gentle extractions in a comfortable, non-intimidating environment. If you think that your wisdom teeth may need to be pulled, don’t wait.
The sooner you get help, the sooner you can get relief from your discomfort. Contact us online or give us a call at (619) 299-1122 to schedule a consultation and get the treatment you need in San Diego.
