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Port Dover Family Dentistry
Not every wisdom tooth needs removal. How the decision is made, how to prepare and what recovery looks like for patients travelling from Tillsonburg.
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Tillsonburg patients are welcome at our Port Dover office
Every dental service for Tillsonburg patientsThird molars, considered carefully
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, usually appear in the late teens or early twenties. Some come in without problems, while others are impacted, partially erupted or positioned at an angle. These can cause pain, gum infections, decay in neighbouring teeth or cysts. Others remain symptom-free and may only need monitoring.
Tillsonburg patients can have wisdom teeth assessed at our Port Dover office. If removal is recommended, planning a driver, recovery time at home and any follow-up visits in advance makes the experience less stressful for you and your family.

Assessment
Pain at the back of the mouth, swollen or bleeding gums around a partially erupted tooth, a bad taste, difficulty opening the mouth or food trapping behind the last molar may suggest a wisdom tooth problem. Mention these symptoms when booking so the dentist can focus the examination.
X-rays, often a panoramic image, show the position of the wisdom teeth, their roots and their relationship to nerves and sinuses. The dentist explains whether removal is recommended, can be monitored or might need a specialist referral. Ask about the reasons behind the advice.
Preparing
Share all medications, including blood thinners, and health conditions with the dentist. Follow any instructions about eating, drinking or medications before the procedure. Ask what type of anaesthetic or sedation will be used and what preparation it requires.
If sedation is used, arrange for someone to drive you home to Tillsonburg and stay with you. Stock up on soft foods, cold drinks and recommended pain relief. Plan a few days of reduced activity, and consider timing around work, school or important events.
The procedure
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic, and sedation may be used for comfort. Erupted wisdom teeth may be removed similarly to other teeth. Impacted teeth may require a small incision in the gum and removal of the tooth in sections. You may feel pressure but should not feel sharp pain.
After removal, the sites may be stitched, and gauze is placed to control bleeding. The team will give detailed aftercare instructions. Ask about pain management, swelling and when stitches will dissolve or be removed before you leave the Port Dover office.
Recovery
Swelling and discomfort are common for a few days and often peak around the second or third day. Use cold packs as advised, rest with your head raised and eat soft foods. Avoid straws, smoking, spitting and vigorous rinsing for the advised period to protect the blood clot.
Contact the Port Dover office if bleeding does not stop, pain worsens after several days, you develop fever or notice a bad taste or discharge. Numbness that persists beyond the expected time should also be reported. Seek emergency care for any breathing or swallowing difficulty.
Planning your appointment
Call our Port Dover office to arrange an assessment of your wisdom teeth. Describe any pain or swelling and ask what imaging may be needed.
If removal is planned, arrange a driver, prepare soft foods and allow a few days for recovery at home.
Before you book
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
No. Wisdom teeth that are fully erupted, healthy and easy to clean may be left in place and monitored. Removal is usually recommended when they cause problems or are likely to, based on their position and your symptoms.
Many people feel better within a few days to a week, though full healing takes longer. Recovery varies with the complexity of the extraction. Following aftercare instructions helps reduce complications and supports healing.
Local anaesthetic is used to numb the area, and sedation may be offered depending on the complexity and your preferences. Deeper sedation may require a specialist setting. The dentist will explain the options available to you.
A dry socket occurs when the blood clot is lost too early, exposing bone and causing increasing pain a few days after extraction. Avoiding straws, smoking and forceful rinsing helps reduce the risk. Contact the office if it happens.
The link between wisdom teeth and crowding of front teeth is debated. The dentist will consider your specific situation, including the position of the wisdom teeth and your bite, when making a recommendation.
When a tooth cannot be kept, plan the removal and what follows. Questions to ask, healing tips and replacement options for patients from Tillsonburg.
A badly infected or broken tooth sometimes has to come out quickly. When that is considered, what to arrange and how to heal well back home in Tillsonburg.
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New patients and CDCP patients are welcome. Tell us how we can help and our Port Dover dental team will follow up with you.
Evening appointments Monday and Tuesday