Dental Talk Thursday | Wisdom Teeth

Dental Talk Thursday | Wisdom Teeth

For this weeks Dental Talk Thursday we are going to be talking about wisdom teeth.

Wisdom teeth, aka third molars, are the last teeth to develop in the mouth. They tend to come in around the late teens or early twenties. While most people need to get them removed for various reasons, surprisingly, some people never even get them.

Sometimes wisdom teeth come in sideways, sometimes there’s just simply not enough room in the mouth for them. Regardless, because we don’t have x-ray vision, radiographs are needed to see how and where they are placed in the mouth.

If you need to have yours removes, here are some tips for a speedy recovery:

Bite on clean gauze to help stop the bleeding (personally, this was the worst part for me just because I hated the feeling)

Use ice packs on the cheek, 30 minutes on, 30 minutes off to help reduce swelling

Eat soft foods and drink plenty of water (prepare to stock up on jello, mashed potatoes, etc.)

Be careful when brushing so that you don’t catch the stitches

Follow the exact instructions for taking any medications your doctor recommends

Avoid smoking and other tobacco use

Avoid using straws as it can dislodge the blood clot in the tooth socket

Prepare to relax, and actually relax

Call your doctor immediately if you experience severe pain, fever, or excess bleeding or swelling. Be aware that it will take several weeks to months for your mouth to completely heal you have your wisdom teeth removed.