By the time you are 11 or 12 years old, most of your permanent teeth will have already grown. But during your late teens or early twenties, one final set of permanent teeth will come in. This final set is known as wisdom teeth or the third molars. Technically, you don’t actually need them. Wisdom teeth are known to be vestigial, meaning that years ago they helped our ancestors grind plant tissues more effectively. Today, our mouths are smaller compared to that of our ancestors,and you don’t actually need the additional set of molars. In fact, they are most likely to cause some dental problems,and so most people prefer to have them removed.
Wisdom teeth extraction procedure may seem doubting to most people. However, knowing some few facts about the procedure and the right question to ask your dentist may help you view it positively. Many people have had their wisdom teeth extracted,and the process is not as painful as a majority of people speculate. This article is going talk more about the facts you need to know about wisdom teeth extraction.
Contents
- What is Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
- What are the Signs That You Need to Get Your Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
- What you need to Know about Wisdom Teeth Extraction
- Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure
- What Happens During the Procedure?
- What Happens After the Surgery?
- After Care Tips
- What are the Risks of the Procedure?
- How Long Is Wisdom Teeth Recovery Time
- Bottom Line
What is Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure undertaken to extract one or more of your wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are the four permanent teeth located at the back corner of your mouth both the bottom and top. In most cases, when wisdom teeth are growing, they lack enough space in the mouth do erupt. This may result in pain, infections and other dental problems. If this happens, your dentist may recommend that you pull them out. Wisdom tooth extraction may be done by an oral surgeon or a dentist. To prevent potential dental problems in future, your dentist may recommend that you extract your wisdom teeth even if they are currently not causing any problems.
Statistics have it that most people in Australia will grow wisdom teeth during their late teens or early twenties. However, there is a small number of people who don’t grow wisdom teeth. This is mainly influenced by genetic composition.
What are the Signs That You Need to Get Your Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
There is an ongoing debate about the need to extract wisdom teeth. A number of scientific publications have tried to explain the need of doing it when it’s medically appropriate. The information below is to let patients evaluate the most appropriate time to have their wisdom tooth extracted (signs & symptoms of wisdom teeth extraction).
– The Health of the Second Molar
The second molar is located immediately in front of the third molar. When the dentist will be evaluating wisdom teeth, he or she will also evaluate the health of the second molar. This is to make sure that the position of wisdom tooth does not compromise the second molar. A wisdom toothcan grow in different positions. It can sometimes grow sideways, straight or erupt towards the second molar. If it has grown towards the second molar, it means thechances are that it can compromise with its health. If the dentist notices such an occurrence, he or she may recommend wisdom tooth extraction.
– Gum Infection and Disease
Since wisdom teeth are large and located far back into the mouth, they mostly lack enough space to grow. This can cause persistent gum tenderness. Wisdom teeth may also fail to erupt fully and may cause the gums to become infected. In addition to that, impacted wisdom teeth may result in deeper dental pockets. Pocket depth of more than 5 mm means that the second molar can become compromised. In such an event, your dentist might recommend wisdom tooth removal.
– Age
Studies have shown that older people are at a higher risk or developing periodontal disease on the second molar when the third molar is present. The incidence of dental cavities also increases with the age of an individual. Early removal of wisdom teeth is recommended since the roots are not yet properly formed. Removing wisdom teeth at a later age may have increased difficulty and risk that is associated with it.
– Dental Crowding
Wisdom teeth grow after all of your permanent teeth have already grown. This makes them exert pressure onthe surrounding teeth so that they can create some space for themselves to erupt. This leads to inflammation of the gums and the jaw muscles and thus crowding the mouth even more. The tongue may also swell due to crowding and give you difficulties while talking or eating.
– Jaw Pain and Discomfort
When the wisdom teeth begin to grow and exert pressure onother surrounding teeth, it affects the entire jawline. This may result in an uncomfortable, stiff sensation or pain. The pain may worsen as wisdom teeth continue to grow and press on the bone and nerves.
– Impacted Wisdom Teeth
On some occasions, wisdom teeth can become impacted. Thismay cause the teeth to embed in your jawbone, causing pain alongside other issues. As much the pain associated with impacted wisdom teeth is enough to let you know that there is something wrong, it is important that you identify the issue early enough. The dentist can be able to identify an impacted wisdom tooth through an X-ray.
What you need to Know about Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Wisdom Teeth Extraction is a Common Procedure
Wisdom teeth extraction is a common dental procedure performed by millions of people every year. According to statistics, there are approximately ten million molars removed in a year in Australia. The process basically involves removing one or more of the molars located on either at the top or bottom at the back of the mouth. An average person develops four molars, some people have more,and there are others that don’t grow any.
The Procedure is Bearable
The process of wisdom teeth extraction is normally done through a surgical procedure. However, there is absolutely no need to be afraid since the procedure involves little to no pain. Depending on the level of complication of your case is, you might require local anaesthesia, sedation or general anaesthesia. Irrespective of the method you will choose, you will not experience pain during the surgery.
Wisdom Teeth Problems can be Asymptomatic
Experiencing no pain whatsoever or swelling does not necessarily mean that your wisdom teeth should not be extracted. There are some cases where problems might develop without manifesting themselves in terms of symptoms. The only best way you can stay away from wisdom teeth associated problems is to have aregular dental check-up by your dentist. This is the only way you can be sure if you should have your third molars or you need to have them extracted.
It’s Best If You Remove Your Wisdom Teeth Early
Dental experts say that the best time to have wisdom teeth removed is when they have not yet fully developed. This period is in most cases between late teenage years of an individual and during his or her early twenties. If you have your wisdom teeth removed during this period, recovery will be faster,and there are no major risks or complications involved.
Wisdom Teeth Can Cause Dental Problems and Other Life-Threatening Conditions
Wisdom tooth development is generally not a bad thing. However, it can become problematic when it starts to cause some health problems. A wisdom tooth can cause cyst, infection, tumours and can also damage the surrounding teeth. It can also cause serious damage to other vital organs in the body such as the kidney and the heart. This mostly occurs when then infection is detected at an advanced stage. Such cases mostly occur due to an impacted wisdom tooth. Wisdom teeth are vulnerable to tooth decay since they are located in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, hence making it difficult to clean.
Wisdom Teeth Can Mess Up Your Teeth Alignment
As already mentioned, wisdom teeth grow later in life when all your permanent teeth have grown and taken shape. If you are like many people, by this time you have already worn braces and made sure that your teeth look perfect. Wisdom teeth will start taking you back to square one since they can push the existing teeth altering their original position. This potentially undoes the effects of braces that you wore when you were young. Wisdom teeth can also affect other previous dental work such as crowns, bridges and partial dentures.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth Can Cause Sinus and Jaw Problems
Other surrounding teeth are not the only things that can be damaged by wisdom teeth. Cysts can form around them,and if left untreated, these cysts can damage the nerves present in your jaw. They can also cause congestion, sinus pain and pressure.
Most People Should Have Wisdom Teeth Extracted
It is recommended that you remove wisdom teeth as soon as they come in. According to statistics, wisdom teeth are the most removed type of teeth, and for a good reason. If they are left unremoved, they have a greater likelihood of causing some dental problems including Pericoronitis. This is a condition where the tissue surrounding a partially erupted wisdom tooth get inflamed. It mostly affects the lower wisdom teeth. Pericoronitis causes anunpleasant taste in the mouth, visible gums swelling and pain. This condition is common to people who are in their early 20s.
In Some Cases, Wisdom Teeth Extraction is Not the Best Treatment
As much wisdom tooth extraction is highly recommended, in some cases it maynot be the best course of action. Wisdom tooth extraction may lead to nerve damage though such cases are very rare. Your dentist will be in a position to decide whether the treatment should be undertaken or not. In asituation where there are high risks of complications, he or she might refer you to a dental surgeon.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure
Preparation before the Procedure
Wisdom tooth extraction can either be done by your dentist or an oral surgeon. The procedure is often done in the dentist or oral surgeon’s office. However, if you are having all your wisdom teeth extracted at the same time or you have other complications, the dentist or oral surgeon may choose to have you undertake the procedure in a hospital. If you have any infection, the procedure will not take place until the infection has cleared up. During the preparation stage, you have the opportunity to ask your dentist all the question you need to know. Some of the questions you might want to ask your dentist include:
- How complicated does he or she expect the procedure to be?
- How many wisdom teeth will be removed?
- How long is the process likely to last?
- Have the impacted wisdom teeth caused any other damage?
- Are there other dental treatments necessary later?
- How long does it take to heal and resume your normal activities completely?
Wisdom tooth extraction is performed as an outpatient procedure meaning that you will go home the same day. Make sure also before the procedure you receive relevant information such as what time you should arrive at the dental clinic. You might also want to know if it’s okay to bring someone with you to drive you home after the procedure. Ask the dentist if there are any foods or drinks you should avoid before the surgery.
Before the procedure, your dentist will first discuss with you about your most preferred type of anaesthesia. If local anaesthesia is used, you will be awake during the procedure but the area around your gums will be completely numb,and you won’t feel any pain. When general anaesthesia is used, it means that you will be awake during the whole process,but then you will have little to no memory about what happened. Sedation is mostly used to reduce anxiety. Your dentist will use general anaesthesia in special situations. You will feel no pain and have absolutely no memory of the procedure. Your dental team will closely monitor your temperature, blood pressure and breathing. This type of anaesthesia is mostly used to help the patient with postoperative discomfort.
What Happens During the Procedure?
The procedure will mainly depend on how deeply impacted the teeth are. Most of them can be extracted just like the extraction of any other molar tooth. Your dentist or oral surgeon will first open the gum surrounding the tooth and remove any bone covering it. He or she will separate the connective tissue between the bone and the tooth. In some cases, the dentist might be forced to separate the tooth into smaller pieces so that it can become easier to remove.
After the dentist has successfully removed the tooth, you might require some few stitches. Some dissolve over time while others will have to be removed after some few days. Your dentist will let you know on the type of stitches he or she has used. Wisdom tooth extraction process takes just some few minutes, but the more complicated cases might take up to 20 minutes.
What Happens After the Surgery?
After the whole procedure, you will need to take a rest until the effects of anaesthesia have subdued. It might take you some few hours after local anaesthesia before you can start feeling your jaw again. Take special care in the area where the wisdom tooth has been extracted. Be careful not to chew on the area. You will be able to leave the dentist office and go home as soon as you feel ready. If the dentist used general anaesthesia on you, then you will not be able to drive yourself home. Have a friend or a family member do that for you.
Your dentist will give you all the necessary advice you are supposed to follow to speed up the healing process. You will also be given some antibiotics, painkillers and mouthwash to take with you at home. Also, you will be required to make a follow up dental appointment after some few weeks. The area will heal after some few days,and within no time you will be completely back to normal.
After Care Tips
– Bleeding
Some oozing of blood may occur during the first day after the surgery. Try not spit excessively since you will be dislodging the blood clot from the socket. Replace the gauze over the area just as you were instructed by your dentist or oral surgeon.
– Beverages
Avoid drinking alcoholic, caffeinated, carbonated or hot beverages within the first 24 hours after the surgery. Drink lots of water. Don’t use a straw while drinking beverages for at least one week. This action may dislodge the blood clot from the socket.
– Food
Make sure that you only take soft foods such as yogurt on the first day. Start eating other soft foods only when you can tolerate them. Avoid chewy, spicy, hard and hot foods. Such foods might get stuck in the socket or irritate the wound.
– Pain Management
You may be able to manage pain by using the prescription made your dentist. You can also use over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen. Also, holding a cold pack over your jaw may help relieve the pain.
– Cleaning Your Mouth
As much as you may feel like brushing your teeth after the surgery, try as much and resist the urge. Don’t brush your teeth, spit, or use any form of mouthwash within the first 24 hours. The dentist will let you know that you can resume brushing your teeth after the first 24 hours are over. Use asoft-bristled toothbrush and be very gentle particularly near the surgical wound. Also, rinse your mouth with salt water after every two hours and after meals. Do this for at least a week.
– Swelling
Swelling is a natural reaction to the procedure. It typically reaches its maximum after 24 hours and then starts to subdue. The swelling will be over after two or three days. Use an ice pack over the jaw. In addition to using a cold pack, keep your head raised. This will help to keep the fluids away from your head and thus keep your swelling under control.
– Tobacco Use
If you smoke acigarette, don’t do it for the first 72 hours. Try and wait for as long as you can before resuming. If you chew tobacco, don’t do it until a week is over. Tobacco products delay healing and even may complicate the procedure.
– Get Plenty of rest
The chances are that you will take some painkillers,especially after the first 24 hours. You should take it easy while using some heavy painkillers and take some rest. Get plenty of sleep; it will help speed up your healing process.
What are the Risks of the Procedure?
Most procedures do not result in any kind of long-term complications. However, some very rare complications can include:
- Damage to the nearby teeth, jawbone, nerves or sinuses
- Infection of the socket from trapped food or bacteria
- Exposure of the jawbone or painful dry socket when the post-surgical blood clot is lost from the wound
How Long Is Wisdom Teeth Recovery Time
Typically, it takes one week to recover back to normal. However, there some instances one can recover within just four days,but normally this happens when the surgery had no complications. Your recovery time will depend on some factors that include:
Nutrition During Recovery
The type of diet you take during recovery will greatly contribute to your recovery time. People who take poor diets such as ice cream and hard foods recover slowly. Take lots of fruits and vegetables.
The Type of Anaesthesia you Choose
You will be able to recover much faster if you choose local anaesthesia.
Prevent a Dry Socket
Dry socket is when a blood clot that has developed in the area where the wisdom tooth was removed get dislodged. This leaves the bone underneath exposed,and the process can be very painful. Most people delay their recovery by no following the dentist instructions thus causing the blood clot to dislodge. Such instructions include not sleeping with the head elevated, not using a straw and brushing immediately after surgery.
Bottom Line
Wisdom teeth extraction is essential for keeping your oral hygiene healthy. So, if your dentist recommends it for you, there’s no reason to be anxious. Just think about it as a positive step towards a healthy mouth. Also, remember to choose the right dentist for the procedure.Finding the best dentist is an important stepin making sure that the process is successful.
