Does the thought of having your wisdom teeth appear make you feel fearful and anxious? With Australia having one of the highest levels of hospitalisation for third molar extractions among countries in the world, it’s no wonder people are scared of matters related to wisdom teeth.
But we have some good news for you that will take your fear away and answer all your questions about wisdom teeth, debunking myths with accurate facts. You’ll be happy to know that wisdom tooth removal is one of the most common oral surgical procedures with an average recovery time of 2 weeks. (may be more or even less for some people)
Learn more about; does everyone have a wisdom tooth, what’s its purpose and why they may need to get it removed here.
When Do Wisdom Teeth Appear?
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars located at the back of your mouth. They usually appear in their late teens or early twenties. Since wisdom teeth appear when all the adult teeth have erupted, they may not have enough space in the mouth to grow out fully. This may cause the wisdom tooth to erupt at the wrong angle, or it may get stuck in the gums, leaving an opening for bacteria to enter. This is called an impacted wisdom tooth and usually has to be extracted.
Does Everyone Have Wisdom Teeth?
There are four wisdom teeth located in the very back of the mouth, two on the top and two on the bottom. But not everyone may have wisdom teeth. Some people may have all 4, while others may have three or fewer, and some may not have any at all. You may be interested to know that around 5 to 37% of people are missing one or more of their third molars. The reason behind this is unknown but could be due to genetics, diet, environment, or chewing function. There may also be cases where the wisdom teeth may lie dormant and never erupt. Since wisdom molars are not used for chewing and do not affect teeth functionality, not having them does affect your oral health or appearance. But having them erupt in the wrong position or getting stuck may cause complications and pain that can be prevented or treated with a wisdom tooth removal.
What Are Complications of Wisdom Teeth?
A wisdom tooth doesn’t cause complications until it becomes impacted, i.e. doesn’t have room to come out, gets stuck under the gums, or erupts partially or at the wrong angle. This can cause:
- Pain and facial swelling
- Bleeding and cysts
- Damage to the nearby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or opening your mouth
- Increased risk of infection and gum disease
If you experience these symptoms, you probably have an impacted wisdom tooth, which should be checked out by the dentist immediately.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Wisdom tooth extraction is an invasive surgery performed under anaesthesia. Before the surgery, your dentist will conduct an oral examination to assess the condition of the tooth and X-rays or CBCT scan to determine the position to recommend the best course of treatment.
What is the purpose of wisdom teeth extraction?
The purpose of wisdom teeth extraction is to remove wisdom teeth that cannot grow properly due to lack of space. Wisdom teeth extraction also helps prevent pain, swelling, and potential damage to the surrounding teeth and gums.
Should People Have Their Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
If wisdom teeth come out fully without causing pain or any other problem, there is no need to have them extracted. Removal is recommended only when there is decay on the wisdom tooth and a risk of infection. It’s best to consult your dentist for more information.
How to recover from the wisdom teeth extraction
Wisdom tooth extraction generally involves making an incision in the gum line to remove the tooth under local anaesthesia. The surgery should be performed by a qualified dentist because each wisdom tooth removal surgery is different. Some people may have their wisdom tooth buried deep inside their gum, while others may have it partially out. The same applies to recovery time because the deeper the wound is, the more time it takes to heal.
Generally, most people recover within a week or two with the proper aftercare. Some of the things you can do to aid your recovery after a wisdom tooth extraction include:
- Taking the medication prescribed by your dentist
- Avoid rinsing or brushing the extraction site for 24 hours
- Have a liquid food diet initially, then transition to soft foods
- Do not do any heavy lifting, exercise or strenuous activity for a few days
- Use ice packs and a cold compress for pain and swelling
- Don’t use a straw for drinking, as this can cause a dry socket
- Stay away from alcohol, smoking, carbonated and hot drinks
- Be gentle while brushing your teeth, and use a soft bristle toothbrush
Lastly, consult your dentist immediately if pain or bleeding persists a few days after surgery.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction at Boon Dental
Getting your wisdom tooth removed can help prevent future dental problems, saving you from a whole lot of tooth pain and expensive treatments. At Boon Dental, we offer a wide range of dental services tailored to your oral needs for lasting oral health. With a team of gentle and friendly dentists, we take the time to listen and understand your concerns, helping alleviate your fears with detailed information and guidance before and after treatments. Talk to our dentists about wisdom teeth removal if you are experiencing symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth.
