Wisdom Teeth FAQs for Parents, from Our Concord Pediatric Dentist

Like braces, wisdom teeth removal is one of the “rites of passage” of childhood. If you are a parent of a young person anticipating wisdom teeth removal, here are some answers to frequently asked questions we receive at our Concord pediatric dentist office.

When should I schedule the oral surgery?

Wisdom teeth surgery should be scheduled during spring, fall, winter or summer break. Recovery time varies from person to person, but usually takes about a week. Let all coaches, bosses and other extra-curricular leaders know that your child will be unavailable for a week following surgery. You’ll also want to make sure an adult has planned time off as well, as someone should be on hand in the days immediately following to assist with food, medicine and possible complications.

What should my child wear for the surgery?

It is recommended that your child wear loose-fitting clothing, short-sleeved clothing and closed-toed shoes. He or she should not wear contact lenses, make-up, jewelry, or nail polish either. We will send you this information so that you can reference it before surgery.

What should I stock the house with?

On the day of the surgery, you should already have the antibiotics and pain medications your child will be taking during his or her recovery. You should also have a variety of soft foods on hand, such as yogurt, Jell-O, pudding, applesauce, and mashed potatoes. While ice cream is a traditional reward for teens who undergo wisdom tooth surgery, note that nutrition will assist the healing process, so it’s best to avoid an all-ice cream diet.

How much swelling and/or bleeding should I expect?

Wisdom teeth removal usually results in swelling around the mouth, cheeks, eyes and sides of the face. This should reach its maximum about two or three days after the surgery. If swelling worsens by day 4 or 5 after the operation, you should call our office for a consultation and instructions.

A certain amount of bleeding is also to be expected immediately following surgery. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon. Excessive bleeding may be controlled by placing a moist gauze pad over the area and biting firmly for 30 minutes. To minimize further bleeding, do not become agitated, sit upright, or exercise. If bleeding does not subside, call for further instructions.

How should my child alter his or her oral care routine?

If your child uses an electric toothbrush, we recommend switching to a traditional soft-bristle brush in order to have more control over what is being brushed. We will also give you directions for saltwater rinses that can help prevent infection. Avoid wearing retainers or other orthodontic devices until fully healed. Most importantly, do not rinse and spit vigorously on the day following surgery. This could dislodge the blood clot that is protecting the surgery site.

Need Wisdom Teeth Surgery in Concord NC?

If you are the parent of a young adult who needs wisdom teeth removal—or you are anticipating wisdom teeth removal, but don’t know what age is best for the procedure—schedule an appointment with our Concord pediatric dentist. We can take dental x-rays that will help us assess the necessity of removal on an individual basis. To request an appointment, please fill out our contact form here.