Extractions & Oral Surgery

Wisdom Teeth

Sometimes there may not be room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth and, as they start to come through, they push against the teeth already there or may start to come through at an angle. When this happens, you might feel some pain or discomfort, so the best thing to do is to visit your dentist.

The dentist will probably take an x-ray of your mouth to see how - or if - your wisdom teeth are coming through. From this, they will be able to make a judgment on whether or not to take them out, and how easy or difficult it might be.

It is hugely important to keep all teeth as clean as possible, especially wisdom teeth that come in at angles.  Ensure you use a small headed toothbrush to get right to the back of your mouth and keep the area clean.  Flossing and use of Tepe brushes can also help with this.  Our practice hygienist can also go over cleaning and how to deal with erupting wisdom teeth and how to clean them to help allieviate the risk of potential problems.

Extractions

Having a tooth out is the same as having an operation and, because of this, you must look after the area to speed healing and to reduce the risk of infection. Here are some pointers:

• Rest - following treatment avoid strenuous exercise and rest.
• Rinising - do not rinse for at least 4 hours after your extraction.  For several days following treatment rinse your mouth gently with warm salty water after meals and before bed. (1/2 teaspoon salt)
• Food - Avoid hot fluids, alcohol, hard/crispy and chewy foods after an extraction. Avoid sucking at or interfering with the wound.
• Bleeding - Should slight bleeding occur, sit upright with your head and shoulders raised.  Apply pressure using a small pad of gauze or clean linen clamped firmly between the jaws for 15 minutes - repeat if necessary.
• Painkillers - DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN as aspirin thins the blood and can therefore cause further bleeding.

If excessive bleeding, undue pain or other symptoms occur please contact your dental surgeon for further advice without delay.

Your dentist may have given you some gauze to place onto the area where the tooth has been removed - if not, a clean cloth handkerchief will do just as well (but not a paper tissue).

• Roll it into a small firm pad large enough to fit over the gap (probably around 1cm by 3cm).
• Sit up and gently clear away any blood clots around the gap using the gauze or hanky.
• Put a clean pad over the gap (from tongue side to cheek side) and bite down on it firmly for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Take the pad off and check whether the bleeding has stopped. If not, apply a fresh pad and contact your dentist