Wisdom teeth removal: When is it necessary?
- Posted on: Jul 3 2018
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Where Are Wisdom Teeth Located Inside Your Mouth?
Wisdom teeth are located toward the back of your mouth, but you can have one to four of these third molars. You are born with tooth buds in your gums, and if one or both of your parents have third molars, then you can inherit this characteristic. The human mouth is becoming smaller in most humans, so if you have wisdom teeth, then you probably won’t have enough room for these third molars.
What Are the Signs Of Having Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
However, third molars don’t begin to erupt until you are an older teenager or a young adult, but when the wisdom teeth are trying to erupt in your small mouth, you will begin to suffer from several symptoms. The signs of problems from your wisdom teeth include:
- Chronic headaches
- Sinus congestion
- Nighttime teeth grinding
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Jaw pain near the joints
- Foul taste in the mouth
- Halitosis
- Unable to open your mouth
If you look inside your mouth, then you may notice that the points of the wisdom teeth are already erupting, and the third molars might apply pressure against your other teeth or rub against your inner cheeks.
What Are the Complications From Not Removing Wisdom Teeth?
This is the perfect time to have your third molars removed because the teeth are at the surface, requiring only pulling with specialized dental instruments, or alternatively, the dentist can make a tiny incision to remove the wisdom teeth. It is important to visit a dentist right away to have the third molars removed before you begin to have complications. Some of the complications that can occur from third molars include:
- Infection in the gum tissue
- Inflammation in the lymph glands
- A sore throat
- Misalignment of your other teeth
- Sores on the tongue, gums and cheeks
- Dental root infections
- Infection in the jawbone or alveolar bones
When your wisdom teeth remain in your mouth, you will experience excruciating pain, and the third molars will change direction to erupt from the sides of the gums or between other teeth. By visiting a dentist, you can avoid having long-term pain or horrible complications, and a dentist will arrange wisdom teeth removal right away.
You Will Require Anesthetic For Wisdom Teeth Removal
First, you must have a complete examination with medical images so that the dentist can determine how many wisdom teeth are in your gums. The surgery to remove wisdom teeth is scheduled as soon as possible, and it typically occurs in the dental facility. Most dentists schedule wisdom teeth removal early in the day. You are anesthetized for this procedure, so you must have someone with you to drive you home. This procedure requires two hours or less, depending on how many wisdom teeth are removed. It is important to have a few days of recovery time from school or a job because your mouth or jaw will hurt for several days, and you will also have bleeding from the gums.
A Dental Hygienist Will Prepare Your Mouth For the Procedure
The dental hygienist will prepare your mouth with plastic devices that will keep saliva from flowing down your throat. You are anesthetized so that you will sleep throughout the procedure. The wisdom teeth are pulled from the gum tissue, and the dentist may make a small incision to reach the third molars. You may need stitches to close the incisions, but these will absorb into your body within a few days.
You Will Need Ice Packs and Absorbent Bandages After Wisdom Teeth Removal
The gum tissue will bleed profusely, but the dentist will pack the area with absorbent fabric pads. As you wake up from the surgery, you will be groggy, and the dentist will have you bite down firmly on the bandages to help create a clot in the gum tissue. The dental hygienist will wrap an elastic band over your head that reaches below your jaw, and this device will hold ice packs against your cheeks.
A Dentist Will Provide a Written List Of Directions After the Procedure
You will receive painkillers or antibiotics to use at home according to the directions on the packages. Your friend or relative can take you home, and it is a good idea to have the individual stay with you during the recovery process. You will want to sleep for most of the day, but you will need to change your absorbent packing materials several times. If you are too groggy to do this, then your friend can help you with this process. The dentist will give you a written list of directions about caring for your mouth after wisdom teeth removal. Here are the directions that are recommended after having third molars removed:
- Change the packing as it becomes saturated with blood
- Avoid rinsing your mouth vigorously
- Don’t use mouthwash or brush your teeth for at least 24 hours
- Sip plain water
- Don’t use straws while drinking liquids
- Rinse your mouth with salty water on the second day of recovery
- Begin eating soft foods on the second day of recovery
- Don’t try to chew hard foods for several days
- Use ice packs on your face to relieve discomfort
- Do not consume hot foods or beverages
- Do not smoke cigarettes
- Do not chew gum or suck on lozenges
- Avoid carbonated beverages for at least four days
- Contact your dentist if you have any complications or severe pain
What Do You Do About Having a Dry Socket?
If your gums are healing properly, then you will see dark spots near the location where the wisdom teeth were removed. However, when you see a white area, this is the sign of having a dry socket, and it will lead to pain and inflammation. When you suspect that you have a dry socket, you need to visit the dentist immediately for additional treatment. A dentist will cover the dry socket with a paste-like substance that will destroy bacteria and prevent any exposure to saliva or the air.
Do You Need To Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?
When you visit a dentist about wisdom teeth, it is possible that you won’t need to have the teeth removed. Some individuals do have mouths that are large enough for third molars. A dentist can determine if there is enough room in your mouth for wisdom teeth to erupt without causing any pain in your jawbone or misaligning your teeth. You can contact Clock Tower Dental Associates in Franklin Square, N.Y., for a complete examination with X-rays to determine if you need to have your wisdom teeth removed.
Posted in: General Dentistry
