Wisdom Teeth
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GEMS Dental
Cosmetic Dentists & General Dentists located in Houston, TX
Your wisdom teeth don’t erupt until early adulthood and you may suffer complications if they don’t emerge correctly or if you don’t have room in your jaw for additional teeth. At GEMS Dental in Houston, Texas, George Saliba, DDS, offers expert wisdom teeth assessment and extraction services when necessary. Call GEMS Dental or schedule an appointment online today.
Wisdom Teeth Q & A
What are wisdom teeth?
If all your teeth emerge, you have three sets of molars at the back of your mouth. Your wisdom teeth are the final set to erupt, usually in early adulthood, when you're "wiser."
In most cases, your wisdom teeth emerge without causing any problems. However, you may have issues if there isn’t enough room in your jaw to accommodate your wisdom teeth. If there's insufficient room, your teeth may become overcrowded, or your wisdom teeth could become impacted. Impaction occurs when your wisdom teeth get stuck in your gum, causing pain and potentially leading to an infection.
Do I need to have my wisdom teeth removed?
Every patient is different, and Dr. Saliba only recommends wisdom teeth removal when your third molars are impacted or negatively affect your other teeth. Dr. Saliba monitors your teeth, including the eruption of your wisdom teeth during your routine checkups. If he sees problems with your wisdom teeth, he will discuss your options with you.
If you need an extraction, Dr. Saliba thoroughly numbs your gums and may provide sedation before using special dental tools to loosen your wisdom teeth and gently pull them from their sockets.
Dr. Saliba may recommend surgical extraction if your wisdom teeth are impacted and can't be pulled. Depending on your condition, Dr. Saliba may recommend different surgical options. He will answer any questions you have about your extraction and dental health.
How should I take care of my mouth and teeth after an extraction?
You’ll be groggy from the sedation after your wisdom teeth removal process and will need someone to drive you home after your extraction. Dr. Saliba packs your sockets with moist gauze to stop any bleeding. The packing needs to stay in place for at least 45 minutes to ensure any bleeding stops.
You can brush your teeth but will need to take extra care around the extraction sites. You should only rinse with a warm saltwater solution for a few days after your extraction. If you have any discomfort, use ice packs and over-the-counter painkillers. You may also want to only eat soft foods and soups for a couple of days, but avoid using straws as the suction may irritate your extraction sites.
Call GEMS Dental or schedule an appointment online today.
