Wisdom Teeth Specialist
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First Family Dental
General Dentistry & Cosmetic Dentistry located in Arlington, VA
The average human mouth can comfortably contain 28 teeth, which sometimes makes those extra four — your wisdom teeth — unwelcome additions. First Family Dental helps patients deal with problematic wisdom teeth through extraction. If you suspect your wisdom teeth are giving you problems, call the Arlington, Virginia, office, or schedule an appointment using the online booking feature.
Wisdom Teeth Q & A
What are wisdom teeth?
Your wisdom teeth, which are also known as your third molars, make a relatively late entrance — typically between the ages of 17 and 21 (hence the name wisdom teeth). By design, these teeth provide you with extra chewing power, but they can often lead to problems because of their later arrival.
When should I consider extracting wisdom teeth?
There are many reasons why you may want to consider removing your wisdom teeth, including:
- Impaction (wisdom teeth trapped in your jaw)
- Limited room for wisdom teeth, causing crowding of other teeth
- Wisdom teeth coming in crooked, which leaves you more prone to tooth decay
The simple fact is that by the time you’re in your late teens or early 20s, you’ve learned to chew perfectly well without your wisdom teeth. So should your dentist at First Family Dental find that your wisdom teeth are more of a liability than an asset, removal is a perfectly logical solution.
What happens during and after the extraction of my wisdom teeth?
Thanks to modern imaging and dentistry practices, First Family Dental can remove your wisdom teeth quite easily — and usually in one visit. Your dentist ensures your comfort with a local anesthetic and then quickly removes your tooth, using X-ray imaging for guidance.
Once your dentist ensures that the area is free from debris, they send you home with complete aftercare instructions. You should plan on taking it easy for a couple of days, and you may be limited to soft foods at first to allow time for the area to heal.
You should take your medications as prescribed to stay comfortable, and you can also use hot or cold compresses on the outside of your cheek for added relief.
Once your dentist is satisfied that the treatment area is in good shape, they greenlight you for solid foods again. Rest assured, your dentist is on hand for any questions you may have.
If removing your wisdom teeth proves to be the wiser solution for your dental health, call the experts at First Family Dental. Or you can use the online scheduling tool to set up an appointment.
