Wisdom Teeth and Removal
The last set of molars that erupt when we are in our teens or maybe early or late twenties is known as wisdom teeth. If they develop without causing any problems then all is well and fine. However if they create problems, then the only solution is to remove them.The question now is whether wisdom tooths that has not erupted (also known as ‘impacted tooth’ should be left alone or removed anyway? This occurs when they is no space in the dental arch hence the nearby tooth, gums or bones interrupts the tooth from erupting or fully erupting. Even though an impacted wisdom tooth may not cause any problems, there may be a possibility that it could be a problem if they are not positioned in the right way. Some of the positions of the wisdom tooth can cause problems if :
- if they positioned in outward or inward
- they are aligned horizontally
- they are positioned towards or away from the second molars
The best way to find out if you already have a wisdom tooth or to check its position is to take a trip to your dentist’s office. A simple x-ray will is all that takes to let your dentist know the positioning of the tooth and the possibilities of them causing a problem in the future.
When a Wisdom Tooth Should Be Removed
- When the positioning of the impacted tooth has a higher probability of causing problems in the future
- An impacted wisdom tooth may be the target of lodged food particles and bacteria. Once this occurs, the chances of the wisdom tooth or the tooth next to it to decay becomes high. This sort of decay is not easy to remove. If the situation prolongs then infection and pain cannot be avoided.
- Bacteria and food particles can also cause infection in a partially erupted wisdom tooth. This would inevitably lead to pain, bad breath, swelling and sometimes a condition called trismus where opening the mouth becomes painful and difficult.
- An erupting wisdom tooth sometimes can cause pressure to the next tooth. Intense pressure can cause the teeth to erode
- Patients who plan to have dentures, should make sure to remove the wisdom tooth in order to avoid eruption once the dentures are placed
- Those who have been undergoing orthodontic treatment for a considerate amount of time may find the eruption of a wisdom tooth interfering the alignment of their teeth
- In some cases, a cyst may develop in the tissues surrounding an impacted wisdom tooth. This can damage the teeth nearby, cause the jaw to expand and even destroy the jaw bone.
Once your dentist has confirmed that the extraction of the wisdom tooth is necessary, then he will discuss with you regarding the procedure depending on the position of the tooth. If the tooth has erupted fully then it will be just like a normal tooth extraction. However, if the tooth is impacted, then a minor surgery will be necessary.
Recovering From Wisdom Tooth Extraction
How well and how fast you recover will purely depend on the extent of the extraction and how you take care of yourself after the surgery. The following are things that you can do to speed up recovery :- Try not to touch the wound by eating on the other side. This would prevent infection, irritation and bleeding
- Do not use a straw or spit as this might trigger bleeding from if the wound has a dislodged blood clot or if it is dry
- If the would has not been stitched then it is very likely that it would be covered with a pressure pack to control bleeding. This will be in place for 30 minutes. If you find that the bleeding has not stopped after 30 minutes, make sure that you change the gauze pad
- After the extraction, cold packs may be placed at the site to control swelling. The packs will be replaced every 20 minutes for the first 24 hours. After this, you should rinse your mouth every two hours with warm salt water for faster recovery
- If you are a smoker, you should stop smoking for at least 12 hours after the surgery
- Go on a soft diet to lessen mouth movement and to avoid chewing
- If you suffer from discomfort, swelling and pain then pain and anti-inflammatory medication will be prescribed by your dentist