It is vital to know as well as understand what wisdom teeth are and why they can become a nuisance before you can experience the benefits of their extraction. Wisdom teeth are the last of your molars to emerge. They erupt at the very end of your mouth near the point where the jaw hinges together. Typically, wisdom teeth erupt when a person is around 17-20 years old.
If wisdom teeth grow out normally and have sufficient space, then they will help you to chew. However, a majority of people do not have enough room in their jaw for the teeth to grow comfortably. Therefore, this means that they can lead to numerous oral problems as they try to push for their own space in the jaw.
In most cases, when a patient gets to the age of their wisdom tooth eruption, the dentist will examine their mouth to see whether they should have these teeth extracted. However, they have already erupted and already causing pain and discomfort, it is important for them to be extracted immediately.
So, What is Wisdom Tooth Extraction Surgery?
Wisdom tooth extraction is a dental procedure done by an oral surgeon or a dentist. In many instances, this procedure is recommended if an examination or the x-ray shows that your wisdom tooth is impacted or may result in serious oral problems in the future.
The dentist will cut into your gums or bone and remove the tooth either in pieces or as a whole tooth. You will be put under anesthesia which could be intravenous or nitrous oxide sedation. The type of sedation will be determined by the complexity of the procedure, a number of extractions required, and the comfort level of the patient.
Why is Wisdom Tooth Extraction Important
Wisdom teeth are extracted to correct an actual oral problem or to prevent future problems that may come up. Some of these problems that may occur when wisdom teeth erupt are:
- More serious problems such as infection, damage to other teeth, or cysts can develop from impacted wisdom teeth.
- The jaw may not have sufficient space for them, and they may be unable to break through the gums, thus making them impacted.
- Your wisdom teeth may emerge partway through the gums resulting in a flap of gum tissue to grow over them. Therefore, this may trap food and bacteria under the flap causing an infection.
How You Should Prepare for the Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Before going in for the surgery, ensure to ask your dentist about any concerns you may have about the procedure. The dentist will give you advise on what to do before the surgery and how to plan for the recovery period. He may also let you know about the type of anesthesia that will be used and how it may affect you. Also, the cost of the surgery may depend on the level of impaction and the number of teeth to be extracted. You can prepare for recovery by stocking up on soft foods that will be easy to eat after surgery. These could include yogurt, applesauce, smoothies, oatmeal, and other foods that do not require chewing to eat. After the Wisdom Tooth Extraction Surgery
Every patient reacts differently to anaesthesia. If you received the local anesthesia and feel alert, then you might be allowed to drive yourself back home to begin your recovery. However, if you had general anaesthesia and you still feel drowsy, you will need someone to take you home. A majority of people experience little to no pain after the procedure, but there will be some swelling as well as mild discomfort for a few days.
Here are a few dos and don’ts for the first few days after surgery:
Dos
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Use an ice pack in case of any swelling
- Gently open and close your mouth, it helps exercise your jaw
- Take your prescribed medication to ease pain
- Call your dentist in case you have a fever or immense pain
Don’ts
- Rinse your mouth vigorously
- Drink through a straw. Sucking any drink may loosen blood clots that help your wounds to heal.
- Eat hard foods
- Smoking slows down the healing process.
Bottom Line
Wisdom tooth extraction is a common procedure, and its complications are rare. For successful healing, it is essential to closely follow the post-operative instruction you will receive from your dentist, especially during the first week after the procedure.
For more information on wisdom tooth extraction, please feel free to visit us at Bayswater Dentist. We will be glad to attend to you and answer all your concerns.