You’ve been told that your child needs to have his or her wisdom tooth pulled, but everybody’s busy, so you’re wondering how you’ll be able to manage this. As you read on, your dentist in Lawrenceville will provide helpful tips for how to get this done while juggling your hectic schedule. Additionally, you’ll learn how to care for the oral cavity after the procedure is done.
When is the Best Time to Have a Wisdom Tooth Extracted?
When it comes to planning dental visits for the family, it always helps to set them up during the summer break and the winter holidays. Here are a couple reasons why:
- You won’t have to pull your child out of your school.
- If you have any summer vacation time scheduled from your job, you can also use a small portion of that time to have your child’s wisdom tooth extracted. This also allows a chance to make sure that he or she is healing properly before they have to rush back to school.
This procedure is considered minor surgery, but the techniques have really advanced over the years, allowing you to experience a comfortable treatment process.
Why is it Important to Have a Wisdom Tooth Pulled?
When wisdom teeth grow in, they can be crooked and lead to a host of problems, which include:
- The tooth can get stuck (impacted) when growing in and become an irritant to your other teeth.
- If the tooth breaks the gum line and grows in crooked, then it will need to be extracted to prevent it from pushing on the others and causing alignment issues.
- If the tooth partially breaks the gum line, then it can also be more vulnerable to infection because it leaves your roots exposed to bacteria and food particles.
Once you make your mind up to have the procedure done, the next step is to learn how to care for the tooth after the surgery is completed.
What to Do After the Extraction
Here are some things to keep in mind after a tooth extraction:
- No Tobacco – For adults, be sure not to consume any tobacco products – whether smoking or chewing. It makes the environment in your mouth dry and toxic and will slow the healing process.
- No Hard Foods – For children, you should be sure to monitor them closely after the procedure is done to make sure they don’t eat any hard foods or brush their teeth.
- No Straws – Also, avoid drinking out of straws so that the blood clot is not disturbed.
- Relax – Whether it’s you or your child, the main objective after having a tooth pulled should be relaxation.
A tooth extraction is a simple process that will protect the oral health of you and your family. To learn more about the process, reach out to your dentist to schedule an appointment today.
About the Author
Dr. Bruce Carter earned his dental degree from University of Florida College of Dentistry and has gone on to provide excellent oral care for over three decades. To ensure that his patients continue to get the absolute best in care, he has completed over 1,000 hours of continuing education. If you or your child is in need of a tooth extraction, you can find Dr. Carter at Transforming Smiles. He can be reached for more information through his website.