Wisdom Teeth Specialist

The Dental Center of Hercules

Lovely C. Manlapaz Teodoro, DDS

Cosmetic, Implant, and General Dentistry located in Hercules, CA

Impacted or misaligned teeth can make you prone to tooth decay or gum disease, which in turn, cause other oral health issues. To ensure you can maintain optimal oral hygiene, Lovely Manlapaz Teodoro, DDS, at The Dental Center of Hercules in California, provides oral surgery such as the removal of your wisdom teeth. To find out whether you need wisdom teeth extraction, call the office today or schedule your appointment online.

205-964-5743

Wisdom Teeth

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are your third molars located in the back of your mouth and the last teeth to develop. Most people get their wisdom teeth in their late teens or early twenties.

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause dental problems when they don’t have enough room to emerge. Your wisdom teeth may grow towards the back of your mouth or at an angle towards your other teeth. These scenarios cause problems that may include:

Making it difficult to clean your back molars
Potential of tooth decay in your back molars
Pushing your surrounding teeth causing them to move
Infections or gum disease

While wisdom teeth don’t always cause symptoms, it’s important to recognize the following symptoms.

Swelling around your gums
Pus discharge from an infection
Pain or tenderness in your jaw

Because of the problems and pain associated with wisdom teeth, Dr. Teodoro at The Dental Center of Hercules may recommend the extraction of your wisdom teeth. The best way for her to determine if this oral surgery is needed is by scheduling a consultation so she can take X-rays of your jaw and mouth.

What can I expect during my wisdom teeth extraction?

Dr. Teodoro has two options to make your oral surgery experience pleasant. The first is to numb the site of each extraction, while the second is to use nitrous sedation. Afterward, she makes a small incision into your gum tissue to slowly wiggle your impacted tooth out. She then stitches up your wound and has you bite down on gauze to begin the blood clotting process.

What should I expect after my wisdom teeth removal?

To remove all four wisdom teeth takes between an hour and a half to two hours. It’s important for you to look after and clean your wounds properly, so your gums heal as quickly as possible. You may use an ice pack on your jaw after surgery to reduce your discomfort.

After surgery, your gums will bleed less as blood clots begin to form. You may also experience swelling and pain, which should go away on its own after a few days. Dr. Teodoro recommends you don’t use a straw, drink hot liquids, or engage in strenuous exercise for at least 24 hours as this can restart the blood clot process.

If you’re experiencing symptoms related to your wisdom teeth or need wisdom teeth removal, call The Dental Center of Hercules today or book your appointment online.