Should I get my wisdom teeth removed? As a Victorville dentist or oral professional, this is one of those common questions that you’ll run into constantly. While some ask this question because of the fear of removal, others are ignorant about the topic and need some clarification.
INTRODUCTION
While many people have no problems with their wisdom teeth, others are not that lucky as they often end up with impacted wisdom teeth. It simply means that this type of teeth does not have enough room to grow normally or were not able to align themselves naturally along with others within the mouth.
Many people experience sharp pains in their cavity as a result of complications in their wisdom teeth. When this happens, a wisdom tooth extraction is always the best option to solve the problem.
WHAT IS WISDOM TEETH EXTRACTION?
The upper and lower third molars can also be referred to as the wisdom teeth. Normally, they are the last set of teeth to grow in the mouth and usually occur between the ages of 17 and 24 years old. However, some people do not get them at all. Wisdom Tooth Extraction is a type of surgical procedure where one or more wisdom tooth is removed.
WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED
The wisdom teeth are usually located at the back of your mouth at the top and bottom.
CAUSES OF THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE WISDOM TOOTH
It is caused when teeth do not have enough room to grow within the mouth. It will eventually lead to pain and infections.
REASONS WHY PEOPLE USUALLY OPT FOR WISDOM TEETH EXTRACTION
If you currently have a wisdom tooth, a removal may be the best option. Even though you may be symptom-free at the moment and it is not causing you any pain, presently, sooner or later, it is likely to happen. It can also cause other problems for you in the long run such as tooth cavities, gum disease and may even harbor diseases.
Many people decide to extract their wisdom teeth due to several factors which you can find below:
- People with smaller jaws unable to accommodate wisdom teeth.
- Swelling, pain, and discomfort during the growth phase of the teeth can also be a reason to get an extraction.
- People with infections and cysts.
- Individuals with an awkward growth angle are also candidates of this process. That is when they grow at an angle towards the back of your mouth.
- When the teeth grow straight.
- When they grow at an angle toward the next tooth.
- When they grow at a right angle to the other teeth.
In the end, a dentist has to look at these reasons and determine if a patient is qualified for an extraction.
ADVANTAGES OF HAVING AN EXTRACTION
There are numerous advantages of having your wisdom teeth extracted and some of them include:
- There’s less occurrence of swelling and bleeding.
- With an extraction, there’s less risk of damage to the jawbone and other teeth.
- Helps to eliminate pain and discomfort resulting from the impacted tooth.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE SURGERY
Are you planning to have your wisdom teeth removed any time soon? Below are some important tips to keep in mind and follow to properly prepare you for this procedure:
Consult the dentist
Before the surgery, you are expected to have a one on one session with the dentist for cross-examination. If you’re on drugs already due to some medical issues, make sure the doctor is aware of them. This is because there are some medications that can increase the risk of bleeding and react with anesthesia.
Begin to shop for soft food items as your diet is expected to change for a while.
Right before the surgery and especially after it, you will be advised by the dentist to live on soft diets. As a result of this, it will be deemed wise to stock up on some of these soft food items which include gelatin, yogurt, pudding, and cottage cheese. You should also try to stay off foods that are hot, crunchy and require much chewing.
Appointment Schedule
Scheduling an appointment with your dentist close to the weekend (between Thursday and Friday) works just fine as it enables you to have adequate rest and recuperate during the weekend
Come along with a partner or companion.
It is advisable to come with someone who can assist you back home after the surgery. This is because of the effects of anesthesia and the pain drugs administered to you. It will make you dizzy, tired and unsafe for you to walk or drive home unaided.
HOW THE PROCESS IS CARRIED OUT BY A DENTIST
Having a wisdom tooth removed requires a surgery and is not as easy or simple as undergoing a normal tooth extraction. During this operation, the dentist opens the gum tissue over the tooth and removes any bone that is covering the tooth.
Next is separating the tissue that connects the tooth to the bone which the dentist will do before removing the tooth. To make the tooth easier to remove, it is usually cut into smaller pieces.
When the tooth is finally removed, the tissue is sutured into place with gauze and antiseptics placed over it. The patient may be on stitches pending when it will be dissolved. If you wish, you might also want to go back to the clinic to have them removed.
THE SIDE EFFECTS OF EXTRACTION
Just like every other surgical procedure, teeth extraction also has some risks. However, these side effects are rare and don’t occur commonly although they still take place. Some of them are:
- Damage to the nerves which can cause tissue numbness.
- Bleeding and infection especially in patients experiencing heart problems.
- Dry socket can also occur if the extraction wound is left exposed.
Since the impacted wisdom tooth causes pain, tooth decay, gum disease, damage to the nearby tooth among others, it is still important to extract it.
SAFETY AND AFTERCARE TIPS
- Aftercare remains an important aspect of wisdom teeth extraction just like any other surgical treatment.
- To reduce the bleeding time, support the head with pillows and avoid lying flat. In a case where the bleeding fails to subside, contact a dentist immediately.
- Avoid those heavy and sudden movements as it can make the blood clots to loosen and start bleeding.
- Avoid any form of tobacco consumption.
- Patients are usually advised to rest and avoid any form of physical activity for several days.
- To reduce swelling and ease pain, place an ice pack or warm compression on the jaw region.
- Avoid touching the affected area with the tongue and the fingers. Don’t forget to also stay off hot and chilled drinks including meals.
CONCLUSION
If you are currently dealing with the pain of wisdom teeth, it is very important to visit a dentist as soon as possible to sort things out and be free again. Normally, a dentist will likely recommend wisdom teeth extraction for you in order to eliminate the pain you are dealing with. Although you will experience some pain and discomfort after the extraction, you should be back to normal soon. After all, the pain of extraction can’t be compared with the constant niggling pain of the teeth.