Wisdom Teeth Removal: What Parents Should Know

Wisdom teeth removal is a common type of tooth extraction. The wisdom teeth – also known as the third molars – usually erupt between 17-25 years old. There often isn’t enough room for these teeth, so they need to be removed. If your teen needs their wisdom teeth out, what should you know as a parent?

The Procedure Itself Isn’t Painful

Oral surgery is scary. However, your child won’t feel pain during the procedure because they’ll be sedated. There are a few kinds of sedation, including ones where the patient is awake, but all types keep you relaxed. Odds are, your child won’t even remember the extraction. We also apply a local anesthetic to the gums.

Your Child Will Need Lots of Rest

Rest is essential to healing after a tooth extraction. Your child will be groggy after their appointment, so they should go home right away. Let them take it easy the next few days. Most people can go back to their routines in 3-4 days, but it can take up to 2 weeks to fully recover.

They Should Eat Soft Food

After oral surgery, your child should only eat soft foods like yogurt, warm (not hot) soups, and applesauce for at least the first 24 hours. After two days, they can start eating semi-soft foods like scrambled eggs and oatmeal. Avoid anything hard, spicy, chewy, and hot for at least a week

No Straws!

Remember to stay hydrated, too! Your child shouldn’t drink anything hot, carbonated, or caffeinated. They should NOT drink with a straw. This can dislodge the blood clot that promotes healing and create a condition called dry socket.

Certain Symptoms Are Normal, but Others Aren’t

After surgery, it’s normal to experience swelling and discomfort. Your child should take any prescribed medication as directed or use over-the-counter medications for pain relief. Ice packs help with swelling, too. If your child experiences symptoms like persistent bleeding, severe pain, or swelling that won’t go down, please contact us right away.

High-Quality Dental Care for Kids at Pleasanton Children’s Dentistry

At our Pleasanton office, we’re proud to serve kids of all ages. We can perform oral surgery procedures like wisdom teeth removals in our office, so you and your child don’t need to see a dentist you don’t know. If you have any questions about wisdom teeth or want to set up a consultation, please contact us today!

Categorised in: Oral Surgery

This post was written by Jerry Agiliga