When to Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

Not everyone feels pain right away when their wisdom teeth start to come in, which is why regular dental checkups are so important. Our dentists monitor the development of these teeth with exams and X-rays to determine the safest time for removal, often before you feel any sort of discomfort.

Of course, we know that life can make it hard to routinely visit your local dental office, so it’s important to also keep an eye out for these common signs it’s time for wisdom teeth removal in Hamilton, NJ:

• Pain or Tenderness in the Back of Your Mouth: You might notice soreness near your jaw or behind your existing molars. This can be a sign that your wisdom teeth are trying to push through or are stuck beneath the gums.
• Swollen or Red Gums: The gum tissue around erupting wisdom teeth can become inflamed, making it uncomfortable to chew or brush properly.
• Jaw Stiffness or Difficulty Opening Your Mouth Fully: Impacted wisdom teeth can put pressure on the jaw, leading to stiffness, discomfort, or even headaches.
• Crowding or Shifting Teeth: Wisdom teeth can push against your other teeth as they emerge and cause crowding or misalignment.
• Frequent Infections or Bad Breath: Partially erupted wisdom teeth are hard to clean, creating pockets where food and bacteria get trapped, leading to infections, bad breath, or an unpleasant taste in your mouth.

A Look at the Wisdom Teeth Extraction Process

When you reach out to us about wisdom teeth removal in Hamilton, NJ, we will perform a thorough examination, including digital X-rays or 3D imaging, to see the exact position of your wisdom teeth. This allows us to determine:

• How many wisdom teeth need removal
• Whether they are impacted or partially erupted
• The safest and most efficient way to extract them

We’ll also review your medical history, your current medications, and any concerns you may have, such as dental anxiety. Depending on your needs, we may recommend local anesthesia to numb the area, dental sedation options to help you relax, and general anesthesia in specific cases.

On the day of extraction, your dentist or oral surgeon will gently open the gum tissue over the tooth, if it hasn’t fully erupted, remove any small amount of bone blocking access to the tooth, if necessary, carefully extract the wisdom tooth, clean the area thoroughly, and place stitches if needed.

Thanks to modern techniques and decades of experience, the procedure is usually completed quickly and efficiently. In fact, most patients are surprised by how smoothly it goes.

What Happens After Surgery?

Healing begins right after your wisdom teeth are removed, and we’ll make sure you know exactly what to expect.

Immediately After Your Appointment

You’ll spend a short period in our office as the anesthesia wears off. We will:

• Provide gauze to help control any bleeding
• Review your post-operative instructions in detail
• Answer any questions you or your caregiver may have

It’s important to note that you’ll need someone to drive you home if you received sedation or general anesthesia.

Recovery at Home

Some swelling, mild bleeding, and discomfort are normal after wisdom teeth surgery. To support a smooth recovery, we typically recommend:

• Resting and taking it easy for the first 24-48 hours
• Using an ice pack on the outside of your cheek in short intervals to reduce swelling
• Taking prescribed or recommended pain relievers as directed
• Sticking to soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, smoothies, and soup
• Avoiding straws, smoking, or vigorous rinsing, which can disturb the healing site

Most patients feel significantly better within a few days and can return to normal activities shortly thereafter, though full healing of the area takes a bit longer.