Questions for Your Huntsville Dentist
Dr. Brian Cook knows that patients who are more involved with their dental care tend to experience fewer problems and better oral health. Patient education plays a large part in the services and treatments we offer, and answering your questions is part of that.
Anytime you have a question, don't hesitate to call us. There is a lot to know about your oral health care, and you deserve to have all the information you need to make confident, informed decisions. Our dental team is experienced and knowledgeable and always happy to find the answers you need.
Here are a few of the questions our patients ask most frequently, but you may have others you don't see here. Please call us at (256) 539-4079, and we'll be happy to assist you.
Tooth Extractions
Yes!
Wisdom teeth are the four teeth located in the very back of your mouth. They typically come through between the ages of 17 and 24, making them the last of your molars to join the fun.
With all your other teeth already happily in place, wisdom teeth can make an awkward appearance to a party that may not be able to accommodate them.
When there isn't enough space for your wisdom teeth, they can become impacted or shift the neighboring teeth and alter the alignment of your smile. None of these are suitable for your oral health and can lead to tooth loss.
The Pain of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Your wisdom tooth is ready to emerge, but it doesn't; when it remains under the gumline, it is impacted. When it only arises half-way, it is a partially impacted wisdom tooth.
In both scenarios, the wisdom tooth will come in at an angle because there is no room in the mouth. This can create a host of issues, including:
- Damage to neighboring teeth or the bone
- Increased risk of tooth decay
- Pain
- Increased risk of bacterial infection at the gumline
- Increased risk of a cyst developing around the impacted tooth
We Can Remove Your Wisdom Tooth and Relieve Pain
If you need a wisdom tooth removed, please call Twickenham Family Dentistry immediately. We know how stressful the thought of a dental extraction can be, which is why we offer sedation dentistry to help ease anxiety.
Our Huntsville, AL restorative dentists will ensure that patients will not feel pain during the procedure, and we invite them to relax while we treat their dental health.
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt. They typically come in during the late teens or early twenties. In some cases, they emerge without issue, but too often, they push on neighboring teeth or only partially erupt. This can cause pain and leave you vulnerable to infection.
The extraction process itself is carefully planned to provide you with the easiest treatment possible.
As far as recovery time, it depends on several factors, including how many wisdom teeth we’re extracting and compliance with aftercare instructions. Your dentist provides specific instructions based on your case, but typically you should avoid drinking through a straw or smoking for 24 hours following tooth extractions. For the first day, it is recommended that you eat only soft foods.
You may notice mild soreness for a few days, but this typically decreases as each day passes. After about five to seven days, you may forget that you’ve had extractions. In any case, the discomfort is usually mild and treatable with over-the-counter pain relievers. Your dentist can make a recommendation.
Experiencing Pain from Wisdom Teeth in Huntsville, AL?
We extract wisdom teeth regularly and will always make sure that the extraction area is completely numb. If you would like to schedule a consultation, contact our dental office today.