65 percent of men and women who detect wisdom teeth notice them in their late teens or early twenties. At St. Mary’s Dental in Mechanicsville, we help our teenage patients with their wisdom teeth issues.
Why are wisdom teeth often extracted?
There are several reasons…
- Wisdom teeth can damage adjacent teeth and nerves.
- Most jaws (both teenagers’ and adults’) don’t have room for extra molars. If they are allowed to erupt, they usually come in crooked. This crowds the other teeth and affects the bite.
- Partially- or fully-erupted wisdom teeth are difficult to clean. This increases the risk of tooth decay. And awkwardly-positioned wisdom teeth can cause an infection if bacteria is trapped under the skin where it’s problematic to brush and floss.
Because of the potential problems, doctor McCray often recommends extraction of wisdom teeth.
What should you expect after wisdom teeth extraction?
Bleeding is inevitable with all tooth extractions. It may last up to three days. Rinsing is counterproductive.
Apply firm pressure to the extraction site by biting down on the gauze pads to help stop the bleeding.
Swelling following extraction is a sign that the healing process is progressing normally. Swelling that recedes and then re-appears after a few weeks, however, is a sign of infection. If this happens, it is important that you speak with us ASAP.
We will schedule a quick check seven to ten days after the extraction to make sure the wounds are clean and there are no complications. An antibiotic wash may be used to prevent or treat infection.
At St. Mary’s Dental in Mechanicsville the dental health of our patients is always our top priority. People from North Waldorf, East Huntingtown, and South Laplata come to us for extractions and other dental care, including complete general and family dentistry. Call for an appointment today!
Contact St. Mary’s Dental:
301-884-3248
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
28169 Old Village Rd
Mechanicsville, Maryland
20659
