What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Your wisdom teeth are also known as your third molars. They’re just as important as your other teeth. However, most people don’t really need them at all. Your wisdom teeth aren’t required for chewing. They often grow sideways or backward and can cause a host of problems like tooth decay, gum disease, cysts or tumors under the jaw bone (neuralgia), impacted wisdom teeth and even an infection in your mouth. If you have impacted wisdom teeth, they may be too deep to remove with simple surgery. And if they aren’t removed properly, you could experience ongoing pain. The best thing to do is have your wisdom teeth removed by a dentist before they become impacted. In many cases, it isn’t possible to remove wisdom teeth until after puberty because of their location and size. By then, there might not be enough room in your mouth to safely perform oral surgery. After reaching maturity, only 10 percent of adults will require dental work related to their wisdom teeth removal. You should still see a dentist regularly so he or she can check on any growths or potential issues early on before they turn into major problems. Talk with your doctor about any questions you have about how long it will take for you to recover from wisdom tooth removal surgery, what symptoms to expect after going home from the hospital and how long it will take for your face/jaw pain and swelling go away completely. Don't wait until you're in severe pain!
How Do You Know if You Need Them Removed?
One of our readers recently asked us how he knew if his wisdom teeth needed to be removed. Some people find it difficult to determine if they have any problems with their wisdom teeth—until it’s too late. Here are some common symptoms of complications associated with impacted wisdom teeth. If you experience any of these issues, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. These symptoms could indicate that one or more of your wisdom teeth need to be extracted. You might also consider having them taken out even if you don’t have any symptoms at all! In fact, many dentists recommend removing wisdom teeth during a patient's early 20s when oral health is optimal. The earlier in life you remove them, the better off you'll be down the road. It's better to get them out sooner than later!
What are the Different Types of Procedures for Removing Wisdom Teeth?
There are a variety of ways to remove wisdom teeth. The method you choose will depend on a number of factors, including where your wisdom teeth are located in your mouth, what condition they’re in before extraction, and how old you are. For example, if there is excessive bleeding from an impacted tooth (which might occur if it’s pressing up against other teeth), a surgeon may opt for surgery rather than waiting for a naturally-occurring decay to set in. Age can also play into the equation—if you’re still growing or aren’t done developing physically or mentally at age 18 or older (depending on your state laws), most dentists will recommend waiting until after adolescence to have wisdom teeth removed. However, if you’ve had trouble with pain due to impacted wisdom teeth, it’s important to consult with a dentist as soon as possible so that any complications that could arise from infection or misalignment can be addressed.
Surgical Removal (Risks/Recovery)
If you can’t keep your mouth shut or are experiencing complications that have become unbearable, you might have to undergo surgical removal. Typically you’ll be given a local anesthetic prior to undergoing any type of surgery; however in some cases—like wisdom teeth extraction—general anesthesia is used. After surgery, you should expect at least a few days of recovery time (and possibly weeks). During your recovery period you won’t be able to eat solid foods. If these symptoms continue after 24 hours post-surgery call your doctor immediately. You may also experience other symptoms such as swelling, bruising, or pain for several days following surgery. These symptoms will gradually subside over time with proper care and attention. In most cases you will not be able to brush your teeth until 24 hours after surgery has been completed. It’s important that during your recovery period you take it easy so as not to put unnecessary strain on your healing body parts. Avoid strenuous exercise for several days after surgery has been completed and don’t forget about eating! While certain soft foods may be okay for consumption during early stages of recovery, remember to consult with your doctor before beginning any new diet plan so as not to further complicate matters. Recovery from oral surgeries can take anywhere from a week up to several months depending on what was done.
Non-Surgical Alternatives (Potential Risks/Shortcomings)
If you have been told that you need to have your wisdom teeth removed, but are wary of surgery (or can’t afford it), there are a few options to consider. While none of these options is guaranteed to solve all problems, they may be a better option for many people. The most popular alternatives include: ______________________ __________________________ __________________________ *This is not an exhaustive list. Be sure to consult with your doctor before beginning any alternative treatment plan or regimen.* Surgical Removal (Potential Risks/Shortcomings): A surgical extraction is usually recommended if other methods don’t work. This procedure involves removing one or more impacted teeth via oral surgery in order to relieve pressure on nearby structures and ensure proper alignment of surrounding teeth. There are two main types of surgical extractions: _______________and_______________ Although these procedures are often successful, they do carry some risks including pain, infection, swelling and damage to nearby tissues/structures. Your dentist will review potential risks prior to performing either type of extraction so you can make an informed decision about which procedure is best for you.
What are the Different Types of Follow Up Care?
There are many different types of follow up care needed after wisdom teeth removal. Your dentist will recommend what’s best for you after your procedure. It’s essential to be in touch with your dentist following any oral surgery—after all, they are your go-to resource for anything related to maintaining a healthy mouth. There is no one perfect way to take care of yourself post-surgery. Everyone heals differently so every individual needs to determine which method works best for them based on their own healing process. Here are some common methods of follow up care: ● Cold packs ● Ice ● Tylenol ● Anesthetic sprays ● Topical numbing gels (like Orajel) ● Over-the-counter pain relievers (Advil, Aleve) ● Ibuprofen (Motrin)
What Are The Symptoms of Wisdom Teeth? When it comes to wisdom teeth, pain isn't always an indicator that something is wrong. For example, there's a possibility that inflammation or swelling could be taking place within your jaw without any pain whatsoever. While most symptoms can usually be linked back to infection or swelling, others may have nothing at all to do with those issues.
If Something Goes Wrong, Where Can I Get Treatment?
There are a few things to consider if you’re considering whether or not to have your wisdom teeth removed. Since wisdom teeth can cause complications like cutting into your cheeks or causing jaw pain, for example, it makes sense to think about where you’d go for treatment in those cases. The good news is that most of these issues are covered by insurance—but if you’re still concerned about having your wisdom teeth removed because of cost or other considerations, don’t be afraid to do some research. You might find out that it would be easier than you thought (or much harder) to get treated for certain issues; it could be a case of doing what’s best for your overall dental health versus putting off removal until symptoms start cropping up. It’s worth thinking through all of your options before making any decisions.
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