What to expect when getting your wisdom tooth removed

The third molar, commonly called wisdom tooth, is your last set of adult teeth to grow in. Wisdom teeth won’t make you smarter. They are called that because they usually come in when you are older, around ages 17 to 25. Wisdom teeth were necessary for our ancestors to chew a much tougher diet than we currently consume. As a result of evolution over time, some people never develop their third molars at all. Some do develop them, but have no problems.

Wisdom teeth present potential problems when they are maligned. They can position themselves horizontally, be angled towards or away from the second molars or be angled inward or outward. In some other cases, the wisdom tooth that grows partly creates a pathway for bacteria causing cavities which can't be fixed with fillings. It can also cause infection and gum diseases. A partly erupted third molar, due to lack of adequate space, can cause pressure and dental cavities in the healthy adjacent molars as well.

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In some cases the wisdom tooth remains fully hidden within the gums i.e. impacted wisdom tooth. If left untreated, it may cause infection or a cyst which could further damage the other teeth and the surrounding alveolar bone. In most cases, around 85% of people with wisdom teeth will have to get them extracted.

The relative ease at which your Oral Surgeon can extract your wisdom teeth depends on the position of the impacted teeth. Before your wisdom tooth is extracted, the tooth and the surrounding tissue will temporarily be numbed with a local anesthesia. This completely blocks pain from your gums while you will stay awake when your wisdom tooth is being removed.

How quick your recovery is depends on the degree of difficulty of extraction.

Hence it is crucial for a parent to understand the importance of professional as well as home dental care. You must visit Shilp Dental Care for your child's first dental examination within the six months of the child's very first primary tooth erupting.

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During the first 24 hours :

• Immediately after the extraction is done, a piece of clean moist gauze is placed over the empty tooth socket and the patient is instructed to apply constant pressure for about 45 minutes to control post extraction bleeding.
• Avoid rinsing or spitting for 24 hours after tooth extraction.
• Avoid spicy food and hot liquids (tea, coffee, soup etc)
• Avoid smoking or drinking beverages using straw for at least 24 hours. These activities can dislodge the clot causing Dry Socket to develop (a post extraction complication)
• Only Soft Food should be consumed and chewed on the side of the mouth opposite the extraction site.
• Facial Swelling may occur in the area where the tooth was extracted. To minimize swelling, external ice application must be done as many times as possible during the first 24 hours post surgery
• Follow the course of medicines prescribed by your dentist.
• Continue to brush your teeth gently. Do not use commercial mouth rinses as these canirritate extraction site
• Rinse your mouth with warm water (add about half a spoon of salt in it) after meals and before bedtime. This must be continued for 2 weeks.
• Avoid using commercial mouth rinses for about 2 weeks
• Stitches if used and if not of self-dissolving type, need to be removed by your dentist after one week.
• Complete healing doesn't occur for a few weeks to a few months following the extraction. However, usually within the first week or two, enough healing has taken place to be reasonably comfortable in the area of the extraction.

A wisdom tooth is extracted to correct an actual problem or to prevent problems that may come up in the future. If your wisdom teeth are not causing any problems, it may not be necessary to have these teeth removed. Remember, your dentist is the best judge and will explain what to expect in your specific case.

Expressing Experience by Dr. Vandil Patel

"It isn't always easy to decide if or when a wisdom tooth should be extracted. A planned discussion with the dentist can provide guidance about what's best for you."