Wisdom Tooth Removal

What is a Wisdom Tooth?

When we take birth, we first develop a set of teeth called milk teeth. Then they fall out after some time and the permanent teeth take their place. Full-grown teeth occur at different ages, the first set of molars becomes visible at 6, followed by the second set at 12, and then the final set at the age of 21.

What age do wisdom teeth come in?
Wisdom teeth also known as third molars are the toughest, and widest that help in grinding food. They are called wisdom teeth because they grow late, mainly around the age of 17 to 21.

They occur in pairs and are placed on top and bottom behind the mouth. But sometimes people don’t get their wisdom teeth. They are the most commonly missing teeth in adults.

What are wisdom teeth used for?
They were the most important tooth structure in early human life. They used it to eat leaves, nuts, meat, and roots. However, over the time and introduction of cooking techniques, the need for them has changed. The shift in dietary habits has limited the need for wisdom teeth.

As a result, the eruption of the teeth remains dormant. Sometimes there is less space which also prevents its eruption. Impacted teeth or partially erupted teeth cause infection to the adjacent teeth and affect the nearby structures.

What is an impacted tooth?
When the tooth does not come out at the right age or does not find enough space for eruption or may come in the wrong direction, this condition is called impacted tooth. Children who are getting permanent teeth can have impacted teeth.

The jaw bones are getting smaller and there is not enough room for the wisdom tooth to grow. This causes oral infections or malformed teeth structure.

This results in crooked teeth, crowded teeth, increased tooth decay, cysts, and wisdom tooth growing sideways. In this situation, the dentists recommend the removal of wisdom teeth.

What to do for wisdom tooth pain?
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause various health issues. It may entrap food particles which may lead to bacterial growth and tooth decay.

They require more space for correct placement making other teeth compete for space. It does not allow proper flossing that too causes periodontal problems.

Partially erupted wisdom teeth can be a source of infection leading to pain and swelling of the gums. Congestion of other teeth due to wisdom teeth affects the aesthetics of the face and leads to malformed teeth.

The problem of formation of cysts comes with this third molar tooth which may damage the roots and bones supporting the teeth.

What is a dry socket wisdom tooth?
The removal of a wisdom tooth can cause risks like dry socket, nerve injury, infection, or bleeding. A dry socket wisdom tooth is a common type of complication of wisdom tooth removal.

It is the place where a blood clot fails to develop or blood clot becomes dislodged or disappears. This can happen 3 to 5 days after surgery.

What to do after wisdom teeth removal?
If a person experiences problems with wisdom teeth, he should immediately seek the help of a dental professional.

In case you notice problems like pain, infection, cysts and tumors, cavities, gum inflammation, and infection you must undergo removal of the oral cavity. Wisdom teeth need removal during orthodontic treatment.

Most of the time the extraction does not cause any complications. But if you experience fever, bleeding, pain, swelling, or infection, you must consult your surgeon immediately. To recover fast and comfortably after a wisdom tooth removal, just follow some precautions:

Take proper rest

Avoid work for 48 to 72 hours

Use ice pack

Don’t swish vigorously

Brush the teeth normally

Soak surgical items in antibacterial mouthwash

Eat soft things and have cold items to soothe surgical areas. Avoid hard, crunchy, and spicy food items and drink liquids through a straw.

Wisdom tooth removal is a simple oral surgery to prevent long-term dental problems. You should consult a known and experienced dentist for your problem and decide if a tooth extraction is suitable for you.

Crown after wisdom tooth removal

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *