How Wisdom Teeth Removal Can Help Protect Your Oral Health

Your wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of adult teeth to appear, usually between your late teens and early twenties. For most people, there just isn’t enough room in the mouth for wisdom teeth to grow in properly, meaning they usually cause more problems than benefits.Wisdom teethcan cause pain, crowding, infections, and other complications that affect your overall oral health. At ASAP Dental Care, we help people of all ages protect their smiles with compassionate care, including wisdom teeth removal in Jacksonville, FL and throughout North Florida. Let’s take a look at why removing wisdom teeth may be a smart move for your smile.

Common Wisdom Tooth Problems

Not everyone needs their wisdom teeth removed, but when these molars don’t come in correctly, they can cause a lot of trouble. Some of the most common issuesinclude:

• Crowding: Wisdom teeth often push against nearby teeth, causing misalignment and shifting. This can undo years of orthodontictreatment, so getting them removed can protect your investment in teeth straightening.
• Impaction: When a tooth is stuck beneath the gums or jawbone, it’s considered impacted. Impacted teeth can cause pain, swelling, and serious infections.
• Gum Infections: Partially erupted wisdom teeth can trap food and bacteria, creating a perfect environment for gum disease, which can spread to nearby molars. Even fully erupted wisdom teeth can be incredibly difficult to clean properly because of their position next to the chewing muscles (masseters), increasing bacterial buildup and oral disease risks.
• Cavities: Because wisdom teeth are hard to clean, they’re more likely to develop decay, which can be difficult or impossible to treat and lead to serious infections and abscess. They can also increase plaque buildup and decay risks for nearby teeth!
• Cysts or Jawbone Damage: In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to cysts or damage the jawbone and surrounding tissues.
• Damage to Roots of Other Teeth: Wisdom teeth can put excess pressure on your other molars, especially if they’re impacted or erupting in a tilted position. This pressure can damage the nerves and roots of otherwise healthy teeth, and even cause parts of the tooth to resorb, putting it at serious risk.

Even if your wisdom teeth aren’t hurting now, they can still cause problems later on. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on them with routine dental exams and regular imaging to check on their development and position.

When Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?

Every smile is unique, and not everyone needs their wisdom teeth taken out. However, our team may recommend wisdom teeth removal in Jacksonville, FL if:

• The teeth are impacted or won’t erupt fully
• You’re experiencing pain or stiffness in the jaw joints
• You struggle with earaches without infection or other issues
• There’s not enough space in your mouth
• They’re damaging nearby teeth or roots
• You’re struggling with frequent gum infections
• Your dental team notices heavy plaque on your wisdom teeth at your regular visits
• Your x-rays or panoramic image show the wisdom teeth are not erupting in a good position

At ASAP Dental Care, we use advanced digital x-rays and 3D imaging to assess the position of your wisdom teeth. If they need to be removed, we’ll let you know whether we can perform the extraction at our office (which we generally can), or refer you to a trusted oral surgeon nearby. If you’re experiencing intense pain, you may be searching for same-day wisdom tooth extraction near me. Get in touch with our team for urgent care seven days a week!

Simple vs. Surgical Wisdom Tooth Extractions

There are two types of tooth extractions: simple and surgical. The type you need depends on how your tooth is positioned and how far it has erupted.

• Simple Extraction:If the tooth has come through the gums and is easy to access, we can typically remove it with a gentle, straightforward procedure right here in our office.
• Surgical Extraction:If the tooth is impacted, only partially erupted, or has complex roots, surgical extraction may be necessary. This could involve making a small incision in the gum or removing a bit of bone. We’re equipped to provide surgical extractions, and can refer you to a trusted oral surgeon if necessary.

No matter what type of extraction you need, our team will guide you every step of the way. We have the advanced training, experience, and sedation optionsto ensure smooth and comfortable Jacksonville wisdom teeth removal.

How Wisdom Teeth Removal Can Benefit Your Long-Term Health

Taking out wisdom teeth before they cause serious issues can prevent more costly and painful dental problems down the road. Here’s how extraction protects your oral health:

• Reduces Infection Risk:Removing problematic teeth prevents bacteria from hiding under the gums and causing decay or gum disease.
• Protects Healthy Teeth:When wisdom teeth push against your other molars, it can lead to gum disease, cavities, changes to your bite, excess wear, sensitivity, and other problems.
• Prevents Jaw Pain & Headaches:Pressure from erupting teeth can cause tension in the jaw and even lead to headaches.
• Supports Straight Teeth:If you’ve had braces, keeping your teeth aligned can be challenging if wisdom teeth start to shift your bite.
• Avoids Cyst Development:Impacted teeth can sometimes form cysts that damage the jawbone and require additional treatment.

What to Expect During Your Wisdom Teeth Removal in Jacksonville

We know that the idea of having your wisdom teeth removed might feel a little intimidating, but don’t worry! At ASAP Dental Care, we make every procedureas smooth and stress-free as possible.Here’s what to expect with wisdom tooth extraction:

1. Evaluation & Planning:We’ll start with a comprehensive exam and imaging to assess your wisdom teeth.
2. Comfortable Care: To ensure a completely comfortable experience, we’ll provide safe and effective pain control and sedation. For simple extractions, that may mean a little numbing is all you need. For more complex care, or if you’re nervous, we also offer several sedation options to ensure an efficient and stress-free experience.
3. Quick Procedure:Most wisdom tooth removals take less than an hour. You’ll feel pressure, but not pain, during the process.
4. At-Home Recovery:After your procedure, we’ll provide easy instructions for home care. Recovery usually lasts a few days to a week. You may experience soreness and swelling for the first few days, but after that you’ll feel much better. If you have any lingering pain after wisdom teeth removal, you should get in touch to make sure everything is healing properly.

Tips for a Smooth Recovery

Here are some tips to help you heal quickly after your wisdom tooth removal:

• Rest and avoid strenuous activity for at least 24 hours
• Use ice packs to manage swelling
• Stick to soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and smoothies
• Avoid straws, smoking, and alcohol while your mouth heals
• Rinse gently with warm salt water after the first day
• Follow all care instructions and call us if you have pain, fever, or signs of infection

It’s important to know that rinsing too vigorously, using a straw, and smoking can significantly increase your risks for dry socket. This is a painful condition that can be treated by a dentist. It’s best to avoid it if possible!

Wisdom Teeth Removal in Jacksonville, FL Made Easy

If your wisdom teeth are giving you trouble, or you’re not sure whether they need to come out, our team at ASAP Dental Care is here to help. We offer compassionate, expert care including wisdom teeth removal in Jacksonville, Lake City, Orange Park, and beyond. Whether you need a simple in-office extraction or a referral to a skilled oral surgeon, we’ll make sure you understand your options and feel confident every step of the way.Give us a call or text at (904) 998-0000 or fill out our online contact form. We’re open 7 days a week and have same day emergency dentists throughout North Florida with 8 convenient locations. We accept PPO dental insurance and provide comprehensive care with a compassionate team.