Wisdom Tooth Extraction: 8 Facts You Need to Know

Some people never develop wisdom teeth; those that do, typically find that these teeth usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. No matter when they erupt, your dentist might tell you that your wisdom teeth need to be removed for a number of reasons, including impaction (meaning the teeth get trapped in the jawbone or gums), malposition, infection, and/or decay.

If your dentist has suggested that  your wisdom teeth need to be removed, there’s no need to panic. While wisdom tooth removal does qualify as surgery, it’s safely performed every day in dental clinics. Here’s what you need to know about this routine dental procedure.

1.Wisdom tooth extraction is a very common dental procedure.

According to statistics, there are approximately 10 million molars removed in the US each year.

Wisdom tooth extraction is basically a process to remove one or more of your third molars, which are teeth located at the top and bottom of the back part of the mouth. Molars are the last set of teeth to erupt and it usually develops between the age of 17 and 25. An average person develops four molars, but some people do not have these wisdom teeth at all or they have few of  them but not all four teeth.

 2.Symptoms of wisdom teeth problems.

  1.Persistent pain

One of the most noticeable signs that you may need your wisdom teeth taken out is a pain in the back of your mouth. You may feel pain when you’re eating, brushing, or even throughout the day – whatever the case, the best course of action is to make an appointment for a dental check up to find out what’s going on.

If they are growing in sideways or misaligned, the pain caused by wisdom teeth typically increases the longer you leave them untreated.

Are your wisdom teeth hurting you? It might be time to take them out.

 2.Stiffness and pain in your jaw

As your wisdom teeth come in, they can push against your other teeth and make them move. This in turn can cause you discomfort in your jaw, so if it feels stiff and sore you should get your dentist to take a closer look.

 3.Tender gums

As your wisdom teeth grow in you may notice tender gums around the area. As they erupt, bacteria can cause infections in the surrounding gum tissue. Once wisdom teeth have burst through your gums, they can also be difficult to clean and food particles trapped near the irritated area can worsen the problem. Extraction may be the solution to reducing the inflammation and making it easier for you to clean.

3.Wisdom tooth can cause oral health problems and systemic health problems.

The development of wisdom tooth is not generally a bad thing, but it becomes problematic when it starts causing health problems.

Wisdom tooth can cause infection, cyst, tumors, and damage to nearby teeth and gums. It can also inflict serious health damage caused by diffusion of infection to other vital of the body. Typically, these conditions result when the tooth is impacted, but tooth decay and other oral problems can also result from fully erupted molars because they are located in hard-to-reach areas, thus making them more difficult to clean.

4.Wisdom tooth extraction is not painful as people think.

Wisdom tooth extraction is usually done through a surgical procedure, but there’s no need to worry because you will not feel even little pain while it’s being performed, as the surgical filed will be numb.

In almost all cases, wisdom tooth removals are performed as outpatient procedures—meaning you should get to go home the same day as your surgery.

Depending on the difficulty of your case, you may require local anesthesia, sedation or general anesthesia. Regardless, each ensures that you will not experience pain during surgery.

5.It’s advisable to remove wisdom tooth early.

Experts say that the best time to remove wisdom tooth is when it is not fully developed. This means within a person’s teenage years and twenties. When a tooth is removed during this period, risks for complications are lower and recovery tends to be faster.

6.Wisdom teeth problems can be asymptomatic.

Feeling no pain or swelling in the back of your mouth doesn’t mean that your wisdom tooth is problem-free. There are cases when problems develop without manifesting any symptoms.

The best way to keep any oral problem at bay is to have your wisdom teeth regularly checked with your surgeon Dr.Miski.

7.Case management after wisdom tooth extraction.

After the procedure, you are required to be on a soft diet, and that includes ice cream, yogurt, and smoothies. These cold stuff can help lessen bleeding and swelling. Plan to eat soft foods such as soup(not hot), yogurt, applesauce, rice, and so on for the first few days after your procedure and then Introduce slightly firmer foods as you feel ready

Aside from going on a soft diet, your dentist or surgeon can prescribe medication to help you manage pain and discomfort after the procedure.

Remember to stay hydrated in the days and weeks following your surgery; this will support your body’s natural healing abilities. Try to avoid hot beverages (or foods) for at least the first day or so after your surgery

Follow the brushing schedule your surgeon outlines (you may be told to not brush for a short period following the procedure).

To avoid dreaded dry socket (a painful condition in which the blood clot(s) is dislodged, thereby exposing bone and nerves). Please, don’t drink through a straw, spit, smoke, rinse your mouth aggressively, or eat hard or sticky foods while your mouth is still healing.

8.There are ways to speed recovery up.

Recovery time is actually a case-to-case basis, but you can be back to normal with your usual routine in a matter of few days.

Some of the ways to speed up your recovery from wisdom tooth extraction include avoiding strenuous physical activity, smoking, and sucking on straws after the procedure.

Wisdom tooth extraction is essential to keeping your oral health in good shape. If your dentist prescribes the procedure, there’s no reason to be anxious. Just think of these eight truths and look at the extraction as a step to a healthier you.

Conculsion

If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, book an appointment with Dr.Miski immediately. He will be able to take a closer look and if necessary, talk to you about the steps you need to take to remove your wisdom teeth.