The upcoming holidays mean teens get lots of time off school. If your teen has been experiencing discomfort because of their impacted wisdom teeth, now is the perfect time to schedule surgery! Your teen will need a few days to fully recover after the procedure, and what better time than during a holiday break? Here are three reasons why wisdom teeth removal is beneficial:
- Wisdom teeth can cause decay and infection. Wisdom teeth that have partially erupted through the gums can easily trap bacteria. If normal brushing and flossing can’t reach these areas, the teeth are at risk for decay and gum disease. In both instances, infection can cause damage to other healthy teeth, gums, and bone.
- Wisdom teeth can harm other teeth. Wisdom teeth that grow sideways can move directly into molars. This not only damages the roots of these molars but can cause crowding that reverses costly orthodontic treatment. These crowded teeth become more susceptible to plaque and tartar buildup that leads to decay and infection.
- Wisdom teeth can be painful. Impacted wisdom teeth sometimes aren’t uncomfortable, but they often cause chronic pain that may also affect comfortable jaw movement, too. Sometimes, wisdom teeth can also lead to painful cysts or swollen gums that can lead to discomfort.
The Wisdom Teeth Extraction Procedure
When completed by an experienced oral surgeon, wisdom teeth removal is efficient and comfortable. The patient will first be given sedation or anesthesia to ensure a relaxing and pain-free surgery. Then, using special tools and techniques, the oral surgeon will gently remove a portion of bone to gain access to the teeth. Next, the wisdom teeth are cut into smaller sizes and removed from the area. Once the site is cleaned, the gum tissues are sutured in place. Patients need a few days to recover after surgery, but a full recovery is generally expected after a few weeks.
Schedule Your Consultation
Even if wisdom teeth aren’t causing problems, scheduling a consultation and x-ray for your teen is a good idea to ensure no damage or decay is present. Reach out to your local dentists, Dr. Robert W. Leedy, Dr. Nikki P. Green, Dr. Sara Chen, Dr. Albert Park, and Dr. Jaci Campo, in our office in Abilene, Texas to schedule your first appointment with us today!
