In certain instances, removing a tooth may be the healthiest approach. Holding on to damaged teeth can cause damage to neighboring teeth and other parts of the mouth, face, and body. For example, “wisdom teeth” are often removed to relieve painful symptoms and prevent complications that affect oral health and general health, too.
As you search for a dentist near me in Crofton, Maryland for wisdom teeth, Dr. Vickii Bingham-Lester and our team at Bingham-Lester Dentistry are a convenient and capable option in Gambrills. Dr. Bingham-Lester is experienced in the removal of these back teeth and also has the technologies to accurately monitor wisdom teeth as they develop. Recommendations are based on her findings.Â
So, do all wisdom teeth need to be extracted?
No. However, for the majority of people, these third molars cause problems and require treatment. Wisdom teeth tend not to develop properly. By the time they erupt, there is often insufficient space for them in the mouth. Due to the lack of space, wisdom teeth often grow sideways and may become partly or completely trapped in the jawbone. This process is known as impaction.Â
What do impacted teeth feel like?
Impaction is associated with painful pressure, as well as radiating pain that can spread throughout the face. You may also experience problems opening or closing your mouth. Gums in the area may feel warm and tender when you touch them.Â
Ideally, Dr. Bingham-Lester routinely evaluates your mouth before these potential symptoms arise. During routine checkups, she assesses how these teeth are developing. If these molars are not growing properly, she may recommend proactive treatment.Â
If you are already experiencing such symptoms, however, do not delay reaching out to us. Impacted teeth don’t get better on their own. Without prompt and appropriate treatment, pain will likely become worse. Additionally, these teeth are associated with complications such as tooth decay, damage to other teeth and tissues (they push up against them), and potentially serious bacterial infections.Â
How are impacted wisdom teeth removed?
Your comfort is our priority. Dr. Bingham-Lester offers precise, pain-relieving anesthesia. She can also discuss other medications to relax you. When teeth cannot be easily accessed and removed because they are partly or fully trapped in the jaw, surgical techniques are generally used. These techniques allow Dr. Bingham-Lester to reach the tooth and remove it in a gentle and efficient manner. For surgical extractions, sutures are also applied to close the site and support healing. You will also be provided with instructions on how to care for the extraction site.Â
What are the “do’s” and “don’ts” after wisdom tooth removal?
Do follow all instructions provided by our team. Don’t use straws or vigorously rinse or spit. These behaviors can dislodge the blood clot that naturally forms at the extraction site. Do gently clean your mouth as advised by our team. Don’t smoke, vape, or drink alcohol – habits that interfere with healing. Do eat liquid, soft, cool, and non-spicy foods at first. Don’t incorporate hard, crunchy, and potentially irritating foods into your diet too soon.Â
Dr. Bingham-Lester is among those distinctive dentists serving patients from Crofton, Gambrills, Annapolis, Odenton, Davidsonville, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., MD with the training and technology to safely and expertly perform wisdom tooth removal. If you are worried about how these back teeth are coming in, call Bingham-Lester Dentistry at (410) 885-6522 to schedule your appointment at our Gambrills office today.Â
