Wisdom Teeth RemovalThere are certain dental procedures that come with a reputation. Plenty of people are afraid to visit the dentist, and it is these procedures that tend to give them the most hesitation. Of course, wisdom teeth removal is at or near the top of the list. If you have been told that you need to have wisdom teeth removed, it’s possible that you have gone into a bit of a panic about the whole situation.

With this article, we’d like to help you settle down and relax a bit. Are we going to say that having your wisdom teeth removed is a fun, enjoyable experience? No, we aren’t going to say that. It’s not likely to be the highlight of your year. However, we hope to provide you with the information you need to approach this matter from a rational perspective. Wisdom teeth removal is a procedure that comes with a lot of negative expectations – some of which have been blown way out of proportion. Once you understand what is going on and what is going to happen, it may be a little easier to get through this process without too much stress or anxiety.

Of course, if you would simply like to speak to someone about an upcoming wisdom teeth removal, or any other dental procedure you would like to have performed, please contact Lakeside Dental in Moses Lake. We are here to help!

Everything Starts with an Exam

In the dental world, everything starts with a thorough exam of your mouth. Before it can be determined that you need to have your wisdom teeth pulled, the dentist will want to see clear pictures of your mouth to confirm what is going on inside. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions during this exam, of course, and you’ll be able to provide input as to what you have been feeling, what hurts, etc. Proper dental care is a two-way street, so your dentist should always work with you in order to arrive at the best possible outcomes.

Making a Plan

If it is decided that you should have wisdom teeth removed, the next step will be to make a plan for the procedure. A big part of this plan comes down to the timing of the procedure since it is going to interrupt the day-to-day flow of your life, at least to some degree. Take a look at your personal calendar to determine when may be a good time to have this work done. You may need to include your work in the planning as well, finding a spot on the calendar where you can be away from the job for a short period of time without any problem.

The Day

At some point, the day of your scheduled procedure is going to roll around, and you’ll probably be a little nervous. Or a lot nervous. And that’s okay. There is nothing wrong with being nervous for something like this, and such a response is perfectly normal. If you have the work done at Lakeside Dental, we will take every step possible to make sure your visit to our office is as comfortable and stress-free as possible under the circumstances.

One important thing to note is that you should not feel discomfort during the procedure itself. This is thanks to the power of sedation. The type of sedation used will depend on the situation at hand, but you don’t need to worry about feeling the actual work that is being done. You’ll be numb at that point, which is something that should give you great comfort leading into this visit.

The Recovery

When it comes to wisdom teeth removal, this is where it can get a bit challenging for many people. While you will be under sedation for the procedure itself, the same cannot be said for the recovery process. You’ll be sent home to recover, and different patients will experience differing levels of pain during recovery. Some have only mild discomfort and take just a day or two off of work before they are back to their usual routine. Other patients do have a more difficult recovery, and it may be a little longer before they can get back to their normal life.

There are a couple things we would like to say about the recovery process. First, it is extremely important that you follow the instructions provided by your dentist after the procedure. While you can’t eliminate the chance of some pain during recovery, you can do yourself a big favor by following along with your instructions as closely as possible. The other thing to remember is that we are here to help, even after the procedure is complete. If you are having pain that you would consider being excessive, contact us for assistance. It may be that you will have to deal with that pain for a period of time before it improves, or it may be that something can be done to relieve the pain. You aren’t going to go through this alone, so remember that our office is ready to help if the need arises.

The Positive Side

With so much attention focused on the downside of having your wisdom teeth removed, it is worth highlighting the fact that this procedure is performed for a reason. When your dentist discovers that one or more of your wisdom teeth has become a problem, removing them should set you up for a better future from an oral health perspective. Despite what some people seem to think, dentists don’t like to make people suffer for no reason! When you think about the long-term benefit of having this work done, the short-term concerns don’t seem so significant. Green Tree Dental says, "Removal of wisdom teeth can prevent crowding and wisdom teeth may also be more prone to causing inflammation or infection if they do not fully emerge." This is why you want to see your dentist about your wisdom teeth, so you don't have to worry about more problems later on.

Thank you for visiting Lakeside Dental, and we hope the information above has helped you gain perspective on having your wisdom teeth removed. As always, you can give us a call at our office if you have any questions or if you would like to schedule an appointment. Have a good day!