You may feel a little nervous about wisdom teeth extraction. It’s understandable, but you needn’t be anxious. Our dentists have performed countless of these procedures over the years. We’ll make you comfortable with amenities like blankets. And you have the option of receiving soothing dental sedation. 

If you think you or a family member may need to have their wisdom teeth removed, call us today at 770-844-6771 for an appointment in our Cumming, GA office. We keep an eye on wisdom teeth during dental exams, especially for teenagers and young adults. Wisdom teeth typically come in during the late teens or early 20s. If we see any cause for concern, we’ll discuss with you.

We’ll also provide detailed aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery following your wisdom teeth removal. In general you will want to:

  • Be Careful What You Eat – One of the biggest adjustments in the days following your dental surgery is what you can eat. We recommend stocking up on soft, bland foods ahead of time. You’ll want to stick to easy-to-chew foods. Great choices include soup (not too hot), smoothies, pasta, and yogurt. Avoid spicy or acidic foods, temperature extremes, and food with seeds. You’ll likely be able to begin eating a wider variety of food after the first few days. 
  • Take It Easy – We suggest skipping work or school the day of your procedure and perhaps the day after. Get someone to give you a ride home. Enlist friends or family to help with caring for young children or pets. Avoid strenuous exercise for three or four days. 
  • Adjust Your Oral Hygiene – Don’t brush or floss for the first 24 hours after your wisdom teeth procedure. Simply rinse your mouth with lukewarm salt water. Instead of spitting, just let the water dribble out of your mouth. Overly vigorous rinsing and/or spitting may dislodge the blood clot that needs to form for effective healing. After you resume brushing and flossing, make sure you use a gentle touch and avoid the extraction site until it’s fully healed. 
  • Ice Your Jaw – We’ll do our best to keep discomfort to a minimum during your surgery. You can even opt to receive ultra-relaxing IV sedation. Afterward, we can provide prescription medication if needed, but many patients do fine with an over-the-counter pain reliever. Using an ice pack with lessen discomfort and reduce swelling too. If your jaw is still sore after about 36 hours, it’s helpful to apply moist heat. 
  • Heed a Few Restrictions – For smooth healing, you want to encourage blood clotting and protect the area. In addition to spitting, exercising too soon, and eating certain foods, you will want to avoid sucking anything through a straw, smoking, and vaping. All of those things can potentially dislodge a blood clot, which can result in a painful condition called a dry socket.  

We can perform wisdom teeth extraction and other kinds of oral surgery at Inspiring Smiles. Call 770-844-6771 for an appointment.