Getting to Know You and Your Wisdom Teeth
The first step towards managing your wisdom teeth is a simple conversation about your overall health. This helps your Brisbane dentist make sure everything goes smoothly, not just for the procedure but for your comfort and safety, too. During this consultation, we’ll talk about any medications you’re taking, any allergies, and other health conditions that might affect the process. It’s all about getting a complete picture to keep you safe when it comes to surgery or anaesthesia.
Detailed Imaging for a Clear Plan
We also take X-rays of your mouth, including a full view of your jaws, to see exactly where the wisdom teeth are located and how they’re positioned. Sometimes, if needed, we might use a special 3D scan called a Cone Beam CT. This helps us spot any complications that might not be obvious at first, ensuring we have all the information we need to plan effectively and ensure everything is handled properly during surgery. Our focus is on creating a safe, personalised experience that puts your well-being first.
Listening to Your Experience
We want to ensure you get the best care possible. To do that, we need to understand what you’re going through. Please feel comfortable sharing any symptoms you’re experiencing. It helps us understand what’s going on and how we can help you feel better.
Tell us about what you’re feeling. Are you dealing with any of these?
- Pain: Any discomfort in the back of your mouth? It could be constant, or it may come and go.
- Swelling: Is there any swelling around your gums, cheeks, or jaw? Swelling can be a sign that your wisdom teeth are causing problems.
- Infections: Do you notice redness, warmth, or a bad taste in your mouth? These could be signs of an infection.
- Trouble Chewing: Are you having difficulty chewing food comfortably? Wisdom teeth can sometimes press on other teeth, making it hard to eat properly.
- Pressure on Other Teeth: Are your other teeth feeling tight or sore? Sometimes wisdom teeth can cause crowding, putting pressure on the rest of your teeth.
When you share these details, it helps us create a treatment plan that’s right for you. We can understand what you’re experiencing and offer the best options to keep you comfortable and healthy.
Taking a Clear Picture
To fully understand your wisdom teeth, we use special imaging tools. One of these is a panoramic X-ray, which gives us a full view of your jaws and teeth. This helps us see exactly where your wisdom teeth are and how they’re positioned. For more complex cases, we might use a Cone Beam CT scan. This is a special type of 3D scan that gives us a detailed image of your teeth, jaw, and surrounding areas. It helps us spot any hidden complications and makes sure we have all the information we need to plan your treatment safely.
These images are important in helping us decide the best way to manage your wisdom teeth. They give us a clear picture of what’s going on so we can make the process as safe and comfortable as possible for you.
Deciding When It’s Time to Act
Not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth removed. But sometimes, wisdom teeth can cause problems that need attention. Here are some common reasons why it might be time to take action:
Impaction
Wisdom teeth can sometimes get stuck or impacted under the gums. This means they don’t have enough room to come in properly. Impacted teeth can cause pain, swelling, or even lead to infections. Removing impacted wisdom teeth can help prevent these issues and keep your mouth healthy.
Crowding
If your wisdom teeth are pushing against your other teeth, they can cause crowding. This can make your smile look less even and might even undo the effects of braces. By removing wisdom teeth that are causing crowding, we can help keep your other teeth in their proper place.
Infections or Gum Disease
Wisdom teeth can be hard to clean properly, especially if they only come in partway. This can lead to infections or gum disease, which might cause pain, swelling, or bad breath. Removing the wisdom teeth can make it easier to keep your mouth clean and reduce the risk of these problems.
Cysts or Growths
In some cases, cysts or other growths can form around wisdom teeth. These growths can damage the jawbone or nearby teeth if not treated. Removing the wisdom teeth can prevent these complications and protect your oral health.
Orthodontic Needs
If you’re planning to get braces or have already had them, wisdom teeth can sometimes get in the way. They might push against your other teeth and make it harder to keep them aligned. Removing wisdom teeth can help make sure your orthodontic treatment is as effective as possible.
Planning the Best Approach for You
Our dentists take time to carefully look at the position of each wisdom tooth, checking its angle and how close it is to important nerves or sinuses. This detailed planning helps us decide the best way to remove your teeth safely and comfortably. We understand that this can feel overwhelming, so we discuss everything with you—from what we see in the images to how complex the extraction might be. We want you to feel fully informed and supported, knowing you’re in good hands throughout the process.
Making You Comfortable During the Procedure
We understand that the thought of having your wisdom teeth removed can be stressful. To help you feel comfortable and relaxed, we offer different sedation options for pain and anxiety relief:
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, often called “happy gas,” is a light sedative that helps you stay relaxed during the procedure. You’ll breathe it in through a small mask over your nose. It works quickly to help you feel calm and at ease, and it wears off just as fast once the procedure is over. You’ll be awake the whole time but much less anxious, making the experience more comfortable.
Oral Sedatives
Oral sedatives are pills that you take before your procedure to help you feel calm. They help you relax and reduce anxiety, making it easier to go through the treatment. You’ll still be awake, but you might feel drowsy and more at ease. It’s important to have someone with you, as these sedatives can affect your coordination and judgement for a while after the procedure.
IV Sedation
IV sedation, also sometimes referred to as twilight sedation, is a stronger form of relaxation that is administered through a vein. It helps you feel very relaxed, almost like you’re in a dream-like state. Although you’re not fully asleep, you may not remember much of the procedure afterwards. This type of sedation is great for people who feel very anxious, as it makes the whole process seem shorter and less stressful.
Sleep Dentistry (General Anaesthesia)
For patients who need a more complex procedure, have special needs, or feel very anxious, sleep dentistry Brisbane is an option. Sleep dentistry involves general anaesthesia, which means you’ll be completely unconscious during the treatment. You’ll be fully asleep, and you won’t feel or remember anything from the procedure.
Brisbane Sleep Dental Clinic emphasizes that sleep dentistry offers a peaceful, anxiety-free visit for nervous patients.
Taking Care of You After the Procedure
Once your wisdom teeth are removed, it’s important to take good care of yourself to help with healing. We provide clear instructions to make sure you feel comfortable and recover smoothly.
Managing Pain
You might feel some pain after wisdom teeth removal, but we will give you pain relievers to help manage it. It’s important to take the medication as directed so you can stay comfortable while you heal. If the pain doesn’t get better or gets worse, let us know so we can help.
Reducing Swelling
Swelling is normal after wisdom teeth removal. To help reduce it, you can use an ice pack on your cheek for about 15-20 minutes at a time. Keeping your head elevated, even while sleeping, can also help bring down the swelling faster. Usually, the swelling will start to go down after a couple of days.
Oral Hygiene
Keeping your mouth clean is very important, but you need to be gentle. On the first day, avoid rinsing your mouth. From the second day, you can rinse gently with warm salt water a few times a day. Be careful when brushing your teeth—avoid the areas near where your teeth were removed so you don’t disturb the healing process.
Eating Right
After the procedure, stick to soft foods like yoghurt, mashed potatoes, or soup. Avoid anything too hot, hard, or chewy, as these can irritate the area or even cause problems with healing. As you start to feel better, you can slowly add more solid foods back into your diet.
Taking It Easy
It’s important to rest after your surgery. Avoid heavy physical activities for a few days, as too much movement can make healing harder or cause bleeding. Resting well helps your body recover faster and keeps you feeling better during the healing process.
Risks and Possible Complications of Wisdom Tooth Removal
While wisdom tooth removal is generally safe, there are some possible complications. Being aware of these risks can help you make informed choices and feel more comfortable about the process.
Dry Socket
This happens when the blood clot that forms in the socket gets dislodged or doesn’t form properly. It can cause significant pain and delay healing. If you experience severe pain a few days after the procedure, let us know right away so we can help.
Infection
Infections can sometimes happen if bacteria get into the area where the tooth was removed. Symptoms may include swelling, fever, or a bad taste in your mouth. We can prescribe antibiotics if needed to help treat the infection.
Nerve Damage
In rare cases, wisdom tooth removal can lead to temporary or permanent nerve damage. This might cause numbness or tingling in your tongue, lips, or chin. We take special care during surgery to avoid this, but it’s important to be aware of the possibility.
Bleeding
Some bleeding is normal after the procedure, but if it doesn’t stop or becomes heavy, it’s important to contact us. We’ll guide you on how to help control the bleeding.
These complications are rare, but knowing about them can help you feel more prepared and confident about your surgery. We’re here to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible and to help you if any issues come up.
How to Know When to Call Your Dentist
After your wisdom teeth removal, it’s important to know what signs might need a follow-up. If you notice any of these symptoms, please contact us right away:
- Severe Pain: Some pain is normal, but if it gets worse after a few days or becomes unbearable, it could be a sign that something’s wrong.
- Excessive Bleeding: It’s normal to have some bleeding right after surgery, but if it doesn’t stop or seems excessive, give us a call.
- Fever: A fever could be a sign of an infection. If you feel unwell and have a high temperature, let us know.
- Swelling that Doesn’t Go Down: Some swelling is normal, but if it doesn’t start to go down after a few days or gets worse, we need to check it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Eat After the Procedure?
Yes, but you’ll need to stick to soft foods for the first few days. Foods like yoghurt, mashed potatoes, and smoothies are good options. Avoid anything hot, hard, or chewy until your mouth starts to feel better.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
Recovery time can vary, but most people start to feel better after about 3 to 5 days. It can take around two weeks for your mouth to fully heal. Resting, following aftercare instructions, and avoiding certain foods can help speed up your recovery.
How Long Does the Surgery Take?
The surgery usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour. It might take a little longer if your wisdom teeth are more difficult to remove, but we’ll make sure you’re comfortable throughout the process.
How Long Will the Bleeding Last?
Some bleeding is normal for the first day or so. You might see a bit of blood in your saliva for up to 24 hours. If the bleeding doesn’t stop or seems heavy, contact us so we can help.
Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Painful?
You’ll be given sedation or anaesthesia to make sure you don’t feel pain during the procedure. After the surgery, you may feel some discomfort, but we’ll provide pain relievers to help manage it. Most people find the pain improves after a few days.
How Soon Can I Return to Normal Activities?
It’s best to rest for at least 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. Most people can return to light activities after a couple of days, but avoid strenuous exercise for about a week to help your mouth heal properly.
Can I Exercise After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
It’s a good idea to avoid heavy exercise for about a week. Too much physical activity can increase bleeding and slow down healing. Gentle walks are okay after the first couple of days, but listen to your body and take it easy.
What Types of Foods Are Best During Recovery?
Stick to soft, easy-to-eat foods like yoghurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and soup. Avoid foods that are hot, crunchy, or spicy, as they can irritate the area. As you start to heal, you can slowly add more solid foods back into your diet.
Experience Gentle, Expert Care for Your Wisdom Teeth Needs
We know that taking care of your teeth can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when it involves surgery. Our focus is always on you—your comfort, your questions, and your health. At Pure Dentistry, our team takes the time to listen, understand your needs, and make every step as easy and reassuring as possible. If you need support with your wisdom teeth, we’re here to help with genuine care and clear, thoughtful guidance. Reach out to us today at 07 3343 4869 whenever you’re ready, and let’s make sure you’re feeling your best.