Help! I Think My Child Needs Their Wisdom Teeth Pulled

Wisdom teeth, the extra molars that emerge last, once  helped our ancestors grind down raw plant matter and tough meat, but today, we don’t require these extra tools. 

In fact, modern jawbones have shrunk, meaning some people don’t have room for their wisdom teeth to grow in neatly. That’s why dentists recommend removal for many adolescents. 

Irene Zaki, DDS, can analyze your child’s jaw and see if their wisdom teeth could grow in properly. If not, she offers wisdom tooth removal here at Happy Teeth Children’s Dentistry in Riverside, California. As a tooth extraction specialist, she works to make this process as smooth as possible for your family. 

The good news is that pulling wisdom teeth can be less traumatic than many parents expect.

What to expect with wisdom tooth removal

Before making a decision, Dr. Zaki analyzes your child or teen’s mouth. She only recommends wisdom tooth removal when the teeth are problematic. They might be growing in at the wrong angle or blocked by another tooth. Or your child’s jaw might simply not have room. If allowed to grow in, they would likely push their other teeth out of alignment.

If your teen or child needs wisdom tooth extraction, we perform it in the comfort of our office. Your child relaxes in a reclined chair during the process. To keep them as calm as possible, Dr. Zaki may recommend nitrous oxide (laughing gas). If your child isn’t likely to feel comfortable wearing the laughing gas mask, she can alternatively use oral or IV sedation. 

Additionally, Dr. Zaki applies a local anesthetic to thoroughly numb the area. Your child or teen shouldn’t feel any pain. 

The process usually takes an hour or less, even when she needs to remove all four wisdom teeth. Once she’s finished, Dr. Zaki puts gauze or sutures on the procedure site. She also sends you home with instructions about how to care for the area.  

Preparing for your child’s recovery process

Your child or teen should take a few days off from school or other activities. Set up a comfy spot for them to lie while they heal. 

They might feel sore for a few days. Ice packs and over-the-counter pain relievers can help. 

You also want to keep them on soft foods for a few days. Oatmeal, eggs, yogurt, and smoothies are all good options. When you give them something to drink, skip the straw. The suction it creates could loosen the blood clot on the surgery site. 

Usually, Dr. Zaki recommends waiting to brush their teeth until the second day. They can gently rinse their mouth out to maintain oral hygiene. When they do start brushing again, they should be gentle. 

Within a few days’ time, your child should be back in action. And you’ll have set them up to avoid oral health issues down the road. 

If you think your child needs their wisdom teeth pulled, come see us. We walk you through the process, making it as comfortable and easy as possible every step of the way. Call Happy Teeth Children’s Dentistry or schedule an appointment online today.