Oral Health

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Getting your wisdom teeth out is a pretty common occurrence. Many people have the surgery as teenagers or young adults. That being said, it is still a major procedure that requires a decent amount of recovery time. If your dentist recommends removing your wisdom teeth, don't panic. You'll be just as wise after the extraction as you were before. In fact, when these third molars begin to affect your oral health, having them removed is the smartest decision you can make. You'll want to play it safe and follow all aftercare instructions to properly heal and prevent any complications.

So before you head to your appointment, here are a couple of things everybody should know before the extraction:

What is a Wisdom Tooth?

Your wisdom teeth are the furthest are back in your mouth, and usually appear in late teens or early twenties. Some people don’t grow them and don't experience a single problem with their wisdom teeth, but in others, they can cause pain, infection and other instances of discomfort.

Why do they need to be removed?

Because wisdom teeth cause so many problems and are not really needed for chewing, doctors speculate about their function.It is common for wisdom teeth to grow in at different angles, affecting surrounding teeth and the jaw. Once impacted, wisdom teeth are prevented from growing properly. Problems with wisdom teeth primarily include pain and discomfort, infections, gum disease and tooth decay. Some of these are due to the difficulty brushing so far back in the mouth, and as a result they have to be removed.

When you should you get your wisdom teeth removed?

Some people experience problems in later adulthood, when wisdom teeth are already fully rooted, so it’s best to have them removed at a younger age.Some dentists recommend removing wisdom teeth if they don't fully emerge or if they grow near the nerve of the lower jaw. Many dentists believe it's better to remove wisdom teeth before the roots are fully formed, when someone is younger and more likely to recover faster from surgery. This is why some young adults have their wisdom teeth pulled before the teeth cause problems and become more firmly rooted in the jaw.
Is a wisdom teeth removal common?

Yes, over five million people per year have their wisdom teeth removed.

What can be expected during recovery?

In a lot of cases, recovery fortunately lasts only a few days. Follow all medication instructions given by your doctor, avoid solid foods, and be sure to rinse often.The length of recovery depends a lot on how badly the wisdom teeth were impacted and how they were erupting.

Whether you have one wisdom tooth removed or all four, keep in mind that your dentist knows how to get you through this procedure without complications. Most, importantly, don’t panic, try to act on time and bear in mind that the recovery lasts for only a few days in most cases.