Wisdom teeth. The name suggests that getting wisdom teeth should be something we look forward to. After all, becoming wise and gaining insight are decidedly positive things.
Sadly for many, the arrival of wisdom teeth means intense pain and suffering.
Fortunately, NYC oral surgeon Dr. Ghazal Mahjoubi and her compassionate team help many patients who require oral surgery or emergency wisdom tooth extraction. If you are already in pain, please contact our NYC oral surgery office today.
There’s no need to suffer! We are here to help.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are adult teeth that come in much later than the rest of your adult teeth. Sometimes they cause no problems, but in many cases, wisdom teeth can cause serious issues such as:
- Alignment issues: Impacted wisdom teeth can crowd other teeth and even cause teeth to become crooked.
- Damage to other teeth: When your wisdom teeth begin to push to the surface, they can move other teeth around, causing bite issues and mouth pain.
- Damage to the jaw: Cysts often form around the new teeth. If left untreated, they can damage nerves and even hollow out your jaw. Ouch!
- Sinus Problems: Although they are thought of as separate, your sinuses and your mouth are right next to each other. Issues with your wisdom teeth often lead to sinus pain, pressure, and even congestion.
- Inflamed or Swollen Gums: The tissues around wisdom teeth often become irritated and swell. Your gums can become sensitive and challenging to clean as a result of the pain.
- Cavities: When it’s painful to brush because of pain, it’s natural that cavities form.
Impacted wisdom teeth can be excruciatingly painful. Here are some additional signs that you may be experiencing pain related to the need for wisdom tooth extraction, which may develop into emergency dental surgery if not dealt with early:
- Difficulty closing jaw
- Unexplained unpleasant taste in your mouth
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact our office to see if wisdom teeth removal is the next best step.
For additional information on what you can expect and what to do before wisdom teeth extraction, check out our surgical instructions.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Preparation
Wisdom teeth removal can be a difficult and overwhelming process, which is why you need an experienced team to guide you every step of the way.
Helpful Information on What to do Before Your Wisdom Teeth Operation:
Schedule some ‘me’ time.
Gather some books and magazines and load up your Netflix cue!
Even the best wisdom teeth extraction process can leave you exhausted. You should schedule a time to recover and recuperate from the experience in a calm environment.
No after midnight snacks!
Don’t eat or drink starting at midnight the day before your operation.
Have ice packs and other soothing materials ready.
You will want to be able to soothe your body after having the extraction experience. Ice-packs, or if recommended, Tylenol may help alleviate pain.
Information is power! If you want to learn more about the process of wisdom tooth removal to prepare for your surgery, here is a helpful link to information on what to expect.
During Wisdom Teeth Surgery
Wisdom tooth extraction occurs with accompanying anesthetic. Plan to wear something comfortable, such as loose-fitting clothing, and remove contact lenses or jewelry.
The following medications may be taken before surgery with a small sip of water:
- Cardiac medications
- Pulmonary medications
- Steroids
- Anti-seizure medications
- Anti-Parkinson’s medications
Other medications should be avoided, but please be sure to consult with our team in your pre-op appointment about anything you’re unsure of. We welcome all questions and concerns because we want your experience to be as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Post Extraction Recovery
After a wisdom tooth extraction, be ready to take some time to rest. We have prepared a document to assist you with additional post-op guidelines and recommendations. You can find our advice here on post-op recovery.
This includes some information on what to do immediately after surgery.
Dr. Ghazal Mahjoubi, Oral Surgeon in NYC
Whether you’re experiencing an emergency or a scheduled wisdom tooth removal, it’s essential that you have confidence in your oral surgeon and their team. You can trust that dental surgeon Dr. Ghazal Mahjoubi is the right oral surgeon in NYC for you. Learn more by visiting our services page.
