wisdom teeth surgery

Wisdom Teeth Removal for Missionaries

Venture Creative on September 11, 2020

About 3% of missionaries experience shortened missions caused by various physical health problems. By going through wisdom teeth removal, a missionary can help ensure that their mission is not interrupted by orthodontic issues.

Visit a Dentist

Visiting a dentist is important in ensuring that your oral health is up to date before you start serving. They will let you know if there are any problems with your teeth and what you can do to fix them.

Wisdom teeth often cause problems in young adults’ mouths- they can erupt in the wrong spot, crowd other teeth, become impacted, or even erupt sideways. If any of these were to happen, it could be very detrimental to your physical health.

Because of this, the Mission Department says that you should go through a wisdom teeth removal procedure if your dentist believes they are going to cause you issues within the next two years.

Prospective missionaries that are not in a routine dental-care program will want to see a dentist as soon as possible. That way they can be sure that there is enough time for a check-up and treatment if needed.

In short, you want any needed orthodontic work to be completed before entering the MTC. If you are in St. George with wisdom teeth problems, our team at the Oral & Facial Surgery Institute consists of an experienced and caring staff who would love to help you.

What Problems Can Wisdom Teeth Cause?

Every patient can experience different issues with their wisdom teeth. However, as a missionary, you will want to be sure you get them looked at before you leave to serve. Wisdom teeth removal may require a long healing time, which could interrupt your mission.

They also cause many problems. When an impacted tooth is not removed, it may cause swelling and pain in your gums. Wisdom teeth that are only partially erupted are hard to clean since they are in the back of your mouth- making them a potential risk for gum disease, infection, or tooth decay.

We are specialists when it comes to any St. George wisdom tooth extraction, so do not be afraid to reach out to us. Many of our patients are future missionaries, just like you!

What Happens After Removal?

Once the teeth have been removed, you will start the healing process. It is different for every person and our specialists will let you know what to do to help the process along.

You will likely experience some swelling and pain in your mouth. An ice pack can help reduce swelling and numb your mouth. Be sure that you only eat soft food after the procedure and avoid using a straw.

It can take 3 days to a week to completely recover. After this, it would be alright to start your mission. Remember that you can still be susceptible to infection for a few months, so clean your mouth often, and be sure to watch for signs of an infection.

Conclusion

Contact us today if you are a prospective missionary looking to have their wisdom teeth removed. We would love to answer any questions that you have about the procedure. 435-628-1100

Wisdom Teeth Surgery: The Do’s & Don’ts

Venture Creative on June 26, 2020

Most people will have to have their wisdom teeth removed to avoid oral complications they can create, usually facing removal surgery around the age of 16-25.

It may be a frightening experience to face dental surgery–perhaps the first surgical procedure you have had to face. Here at St. George, wisdom teeth removal is what we do so you can be assured, your health and safety, your healing time, and comfort are a top priority.

With some preparation, good dental care, and planning, you can make it as painless an experience as possible. It is crucial to follow your dental surgeon’s advice and recommendations as this is a surgical procedure, and the better you heal, the less physical pain you will have to endure.

Here are some do’s and don’ts that will help you to prepare for and heal from your wisdom teeth removal:

Do

Use proper brushing and flossing techniques to keep your existing teeth healthy.–When Should You Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Have regular dental care so that removal of your wisdom teeth, if needed, can be planned for in advance–before there are problems.
Having your wisdom teeth removed at an earlier age prevents full development of the roots of the wisdom teeth. This will allow for easier removal and quicker healing time following your surgery.
Secure adequate financing or payment structure to cover the costs of your surgery.
Discuss pain management with your dental surgeon.
Follow all post-surgical care directives from your dental surgeon.
Use an ice pack to curb swelling.
Use pain medications AS DIRECTED.
Use moist heat on your face for a sore jaw at least 36 hours after your surgery.– WebMD
Eat soft foods or liquid meals.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Be gentle with chewing, swishing, or rinsing your mouth.
Start brushing your teeth the second day. Don’t brush any blood clots.–WebMD
Call your doctor if you have a fever, or if your pain or swelling doesn’t improve.–WebMD
Gently open and close your mouth to exercise your jaw and increase mobility.
Get plenty of rest while your body is healing.

Don’t

Smoke following your surgery. It can cause healing issues at the wound sites and cause you greater pain.
Overuse pain medications or take them in a manner that conflicts with your dental surgeon’s recommendations.
Don’t drink through a straw following your surgery. This may loosen the blood clots and cause extra bleeding and longer healing time.
Eat hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that may irritate or injure your healing surgical sites.
Exercise for the few days after your surgery so that you will not loosen the blood clots via the extra blood flow.
Eat hot foods or drink–this may loosen the blood clotting.

When the time comes to have your wisdom teeth removed, call us at the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute Oral Surgeon St. George Utah to make an appointment for an evaluation. We look forward to serving your oral surgical needs.

When Should You Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Venture Creative on September 20, 2019

Wisdom teeth, unfortunately, are something that most people have to deal with at some point or another in their lifetime. Some experience issues in their early teenage years while others start dealing with issues later on.

A lot of people wonder when the right time to get their wisdom teeth out is and the answer to that varies. Most kids who are seeing an orthodontist regularly are usually recommended for wisdom teeth removal before orthodontic treatment is finished or shortly after.

If orthodontic treatment is completed before wisdom teeth removal, it can cause complications to arise later on down the road. If the wisdom teeth are impacted and they start to erupt after orthodontic care, it can cause shifting and crowding of permanent teeth and that can result in more orthodontic treatment. Who wants that?

Most dentists and surgeons recommend wisdom teeth removal between the ages of 16-25. Having them removed at an earlier age will ensure that the roots are not fully formed, which means a speedier recovery.

Some people get lucky and they have a large enough jaw structure that they do not need to worry about wisdom teeth removal. If that is the case, proper brushing and flossing techniques must be followed as having four extra teeth can be tricky!

Wisdom teeth left untreated can cause gum tenderness, swelling, infection and extreme facial pain. If the teeth have partially erupted they can become hard to clean and are susceptible to tooth decay.

If you are unsure if you or a child needs wisdom teeth taken out, schedule a consultation at the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute.