When dentists talk about the 32 teeth of the human mouth, they include four molars that may or may not erupt. These molars, known as wisdom teeth, can cause considerable pain and other problems if they erupt at an angle that interferes with neighboring teeth. If you have this problem, you may need wisdom tooth extraction.
Wisdom tooth extraction counts as a common procedure. However, if you’ve never had a tooth extracted or you hear conflicting reports from others who have, you may feel confused or intimidated by the prospect. The following questions and answers on wisdom tooth extraction can help you understand and prepare for it.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Cause Trouble?
Humanity’s distant ancestors subsisted on nuts, seeds, raw vegetables, and other hard-to-chew staples. A third set of molars helped them chew these foods adequately. As modern humans learned to process their foods through cooking and grinding, their jaws grew smaller, leaving less room for these wisdom teeth.
The reduced space toward the back of the jaw often interferes with wisdom tooth alignment. When these teeth finally erupt in early adulthood, they typically grow in at an angle. This alignment problem may cause a problem called impaction, with the wisdom teeth pressing against the second molars.
Impaction can promote a variety of dental troubles. For instance, the crowding of molars may make effective brushing and flossing impossible, promoting cavities and root canal infections. Trapped food can also lead to gum infections and abscesses. At the same time, the neighboring molars may sustain damage.
When Should You Consider Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
Some lucky individuals have no wisdom teeth at all, while others have fewer than four lurking within their jawbones. However, if an impacted wisdom tooth makes its presence known in your mouth, you can experience facial or jaw pain along with reddened, swollen, and tender gums that drive you to seek wisdom tooth extraction.
Even if your erupted wisdom teeth don’t cause you significant pain, your dentist may recommend their extraction. Extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth may help you avoid future pain, tooth damage, and gum disease. If you plan on getting braces, extraction can prevent wisdom teeth from interfering with the tooth-straightening process.
How Do Dentists Extract Wisdom Teeth?
Before extracting any wisdom teeth, your dentist will take X-rays to examine the angle at which the wisdom teeth lie in the jawbone. The dentist can then decide which wisdom teeth pose enough concern to merit extraction and the most effective way to carry out those procedures.
Dentists perform wisdom tooth extractions under anesthesia. If you want to avoid both pain and anxiety during your procedure, ask your dentist for sedation anesthesia. This method combines pain-blocking medication with a sedative drug to keep you relaxed without rendering you unconscious.
A wisdom tooth that has already fully erupted may need nothing more than a simple extraction, with the dentist using dental instruments to gently remove the tooth. However, a wisdom tooth that sits below the gumline may call for surgical extraction. The dentist makes an incision in the gums and then frees the tooth from the bone.
What Can You Expect During the Recuperation Period?
You’ll have some pain, bleeding, and swelling immediately after your wisdom tooth extraction. Your dentist will prescribe medicine to manage pain and inflammation and antibiotics as needed. Most individuals can return to everyday activities after a couple days’ rest and recuperation. However, you’ll want to eat soft foods until the gum and bone tissues heal.
Don’t smoke, consume alcohol, or drink hot beverages early in your recuperation period. These activities may interfere with healing or cause the blood clot developing in your empty socket to come loose. The latter problem, known as a dry socket, can cause significant pain and prolong your recovery.
If your wisdom teeth threaten your dental health and comfort, turn to the caring professionals at e.s.i. Healthy Dentistry. Our dental team can evaluate the need for extraction, discuss the procedure with you, and administer high-quality surgical treatment that includes sedation. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
