Wisdom tooth removal is very common. This procedure isn’t always necessary, but many people do find themselves needing to have one or all four of them removed at one time or another.
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars in the back of your mouth. They grow somewhere between the ages of 17 and 25. Sometimes they grow in straight and do not affect the teeth surrounding them, but most people run into one of the following problems:
Impacted wisdom teeth – the teeth can become trapped in your gums or jawbone causing pain and discomfort
Grew in at the wrong angle – the teeth may grow in at an angle that causes them to press against your other teeth
Your mouth may not be big enough – some people have smaller mouths than others. Sometimes their mouth is so small that they don’t have enough space for the wisdom teeth to sit comfortably in place
You have cavities or gum disease – If you can’t reach your wisdom teeth with a toothbrush or dental floss you may develop cavities. Rather than fill them, it makes more sense to remove the teeth so you don’t run into the same problem again
This procedure becomes necessary when the wisdom teeth begin to grow out of place and impact the teeth around them. This can lead to pain and discomfort that can only be solved with their removal.
Fortunately, you don’t need your wisdom teeth. So if you do need them removed, once you get past any fears or concerns about the surgery this is a simple solution to a very common problem.
Still, undergoing a dental procedure can be scary, so it’s good to be prepared ahead of time.
Before the procedure
While this surgery isn’t a cause for concern, you do need to be prepared. This is not the kind of procedure you can drive yourself to and leave right after.
Plan to take the day off of work or pull your child out of school. The patient will need a few days to recover, so its best to plan for that downtime in advance.
You cannot drive yourself to and from the appointment. You’ll need anesthesia that will likely have you asleep during the surgery, so you’ll be drowsy once you wake up.
Lastly, you should tell your doctor about any health problems or concerns and the medication that you are taking.
During the surgery
The surgery itself only takes around 45 minutes. This quick surgery goes even more quickly for you since you’ll be under some form of anesthesia.
During the surgery, your doctor may have to cut your gums to remove the teeth. As a result, you’ll need stitches which may cause you pain and discomfort later during healing.
After the surgery
Most people do not have an excessive amount of pain and swelling after surgery. For about three days you’ll likely have mild discomfort and may not be able to eat normally.
Keeping ice over the area, taking pain relievers, and eating soft foods will help you heal and recover from surgery faster.
If you’re concerned about your wisdom teeth or have questions about the surgery, give us a call today.
