Wisdom Teeth Extraction in North Phoenix, AZ

Prevent Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth grow at odd angles and can affect the rest of the mouth. They sometimes grow toward the second molar, the back of the mouth, or within the jawbone. Impacted wisdom teeth may result in these symptoms:

• Pain
• Infection
• Tooth decay
• Cysts
• Bone damage

Avoid Future Problems

Wisdom teeth removal goes a long way to preventing future dental issues. Clearly, impacted wisdom teeth growing in the wrong direction can mean trouble for the surrounding teeth. By removing them as soon as possible, you can avoid infection, orthodontic problems, and other serious complications.

Preparing for the Procedure

So, your surgery date is approaching. How can you best prepare? At the office of Dr. Matthew J. Cavendish, we want to ensure that you have the best experience possible in our care. We recommend taking some measures to prepare for your surgery. Be sure to check all the following off your list before the big day:

• Arrange for someone to drive you home
• Know the time you’ll need to arrive
• Avoid the appropriate foods and fluids
• Avoid any medications recommended by your dentista

How Wisdom Teeth Extractions Work

While the idea of surgery may sound scary, you can rest assured that wisdom teeth removal is very commonplace, and our team has years of expertise. We’ll begin with a dose of anesthesia to ensure you feel no or very little pain during the procedure. Afterward, the surgery will proceed as follows:

• An incision is made into the gums
• Any bone blocking the tooth is removed
• The tooth is divided into smaller pieces and removed
• The remaining gum is cleaned and stitched closed

What to Expect After the Procedure

Once the procedure is completed, you can expect to experience some mild symptoms. Most patients will notice blood oozing from the wound in the days after the procedure. Replace the gauze over the wound as necessary. You will likely also deal with pain, swelling, and bruising after surgery. Our team in North Phoenix will recommend pain management medications to make you as comfortable as possible during recovery. We will also provide instructions on dental care and activity restrictions for the days and weeks following surgery.

What to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal

What can I eat after wisdom teeth extraction? This is among the first questions we get from our patients. The common wisdom is to stay away from hard or chewy foods in the days after surgery. Keep to soft foods—yogurt and applesauce are excellent options—for the remainder of the day. If you’re able, you can begin eating semisoft foods such as mashed potatoes, bread, and rice. Continue to avoid hot or spicy foods that could irritate the incision site until the wound is fully healed.

Removal Comes with Risks

Like any surgery, wisdom teeth extraction has its risks. Fortunately, you likely won’t need to worry about long-term complications. Just be sure to stay vigilant for short-term problems. Some patients develop dry socket, infections, or damage to the jawbone. If you suspect any of these issues, contact your dentist or surgeon right away.

Call Your Dentist If You Notice Problems

Problems and serious symptoms can occur in the days after wisdom teeth extraction. We encourage you to get in touch with Dr. Matthew J. Cavendish and his team at the first sign of trouble. Call your dentist if you begin experiencing any of the following:

• Excessive bleeding
• Trouble breathing
• Severe swelling or pain
• Pus coming from the socket
• Numbness
• Fevera