Wisdom Teeth

About 5 million Americans have their wisdom teeth extracted each year. If your wisdom teeth are impacted or misaligned, you might benefit from removing your wisdom teeth to improve your oral health. At Ueno Center Dental Specialists in Campbell, California, serving San Jose, Cupertino, Los Gatos, and the surrounding areas, the expert oral surgeons perform wisdom teeth removal on adults and teens. To make a wisdom teeth extraction appointment, call the office or book online today.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth (third molars) are the teeth at the very back of your mouth. They emerge in your late teens or early 20s after your other permanent teeth come in.

Because wisdom teeth come in last, they’re more likely to become impacted. If one (or more) wisdom teeth can’t break through your gum line, you might experience jaw pain, an abscess, or infection. 

Why are wisdom teeth removed?

At Ueno Center Dental Specialists, the oral surgeons remove wisdom teeth to reduce the risk of complications, like:

• Tooth pain
• Swelling
• Oral infections
• Cavities
• Shifting teeth

You might also benefit from wisdom teeth removal if you have trouble brushing and flossing.

When should I see an oral surgeon about my wisdom teeth?

Make an appointment at Ueno Center Dental Specialists if you see an emerging wisdom tooth and it occurs alongside pain, increased sensitivity, or swelling. If your symptoms prevent you from biting, chewing, brushing, or flossing, it’s important to have wisdom teeth extraction.

If your wisdom teeth aren’t causing you any problems, your Ueno Center Dental Specialists provider might recommend a “wait and watch” approach. Sometimes, wisdom teeth remain in alignment. If that’s the case, extractions might not be necessary.

What does wisdom teeth removal involve?

At Ueno Center Dental Specialists, the oral surgeons perform wisdom teeth removal on an outpatient basis. 

Before beginning treatment, your surgeon numbs your mouth with a local anesthetic. After the anesthesia sets in, they use dental forceps to carefully loosen and extract each tooth.

Afterward, they fill the empty sockets with gauze, write you a prescription for pain medication, and provide care instructions.

What is recovery like after wisdom teeth removal?

After a wisdom teeth removal procedure, it takes about a week to recover. During the first few days, it’s normal to experience pain, increased sensitivity, and swelling. For the first 48 hours, avoid drinking from a straw, spitting, or smoking.

By the third day, most swelling should resolve. Even so, it’s essential to eat only soft foods, like scrambled eggs, soup, or yogurt. In addition, brush and floss more gently than usual and attend your post-surgery follow-up.

To learn more about the benefits of wisdom teeth removal, make an appointment at Ueno Center Dental Specialists by calling the office or booking online today.