What happens if your wisdom tooth falls out?

Picture this: You’re enjoying a nice meal with friends when suddenly you hear a distinct crunch. Panic sets in as you realize that one of your wisdom teeth has fallen out, and with it, any semblance of composure or calmness. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered (well, not literally – we can’t regrow teeth). In this article, we’ll go over what happens if your wisdom tooth falls out and give you some tips on how to handle the situation.

What is a Wisdom Tooth?

Before we dive into the topic at hand, let’s first make sure everyone knows what we’re talking about here. A wisdom tooth is a third molar that usually erupts between the ages of 17 and 25 (or later for those slow pokes among us). Most people have four wisdom teeth – two on top and two on bottom (unless they are part shark-human hybrid…then all bets are off).

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

Ah yes, why do humans have these pesky little (and sometimes big) molars anyway? The short answer is that our ancestors needed them to chew tough foods like plants, roots, nuts and raw meat. But as humans evolved and technology advanced (hello blenders) , our diets changed too – making these additional molars somewhat redundant.

When Will My Wisdom Teeth Fall Out?

Let me grab my crystal ball….Oh wait! I don’t need it! Unlike baby teeth which fall out at roughly set times during childhood years, there isn’t an exact timeline for when your wisdom teeth will fall out (they clearly missed the memo). It really depends on various factors like genetics (thanks mom & dad) , dental hygiene habits (brush twice daily kids) , age etc…

How Can I Tell If My Wisdom Tooth Has Fallen Out?

It’s pretty hard to miss a tooth actually falling out so chances are when it happens, you will know. (you won’t be able to ‘brush that under the rug’ – get it?) . However sometimes wisdom teeth can become impacted (aka stuck beneath gum tissue) and in these cases, patients may experience pain or tenderness near the back of their mouth which could indicate an issue.

Will My Wisdom Tooth Grow Back If It Falls Out?

I’ll give you time for everyone’s favorite answer…it depends! If your adult tooth falls out completely then sadly no (time for a moment of silence) , but don’t worry we have some good news too….if only part of your tooth comes out and is still attached by roots, there is a chance that over time it might re-erupt (cue triumphant music) .

However, this process takes weeks/months & often requires removal with extraction surgery done depending on numerous factors like depth position & potential risks/stakes involved.

What Should I Do if My Wisdom Tooth Falls Out?

First things first – don’t panic! We’re here to help guide you through what steps you should take next:

1. Retrieve the Tooth

If at all possible try to retrieve your fallen tooth ( Eww really?), usually this would involve feeling around inside or outside of mouth where later finding/learning options can then be followed after doing so.

2. Rinse Your Mouth With Warm Water

Now rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water ensuring debris does not remain present as this could lead to further infections or injuries during post op recovery stages especially among certain demographics age groups etc…

3. Schedule A Dental Appointment Immediately!

The best move now is getting a dental appointment ASAP as many dentists offer emergency treatment services which cover scenarios like these without significant waiting periods needing fulfilled just keep in mind that these services may come with an additional cost.

4. Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers May Help

You might experience some discomfort or pain due to your recent tooth loss so don’t hesitate to explore over the counter medication options that can help deflect this annoyance and make things more tolerable such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen etc (or any other doctor prescribed alternatives) which are available in most drug stores.

What Happens if I Don’t Treat my Wisdom Tooth Loss?

If left untreated, several complications may occur resulting from a wisdom tooth loss for instance:

1 Infection

Bacterial invasion is ubiquitous when a wound/abrasion presents itself and generally happens fast therefore leaving it untreated sets one up for higher odds of getting an oral infection thus putting oneself at greater risk medically-speaking requiring immediate attention like antibiotics prescription coverage until symptoms subside making them being negligible again.

2 Heterotopic Calcification Formation

Calcification formation could occur sometime following tooth extraction where bone tissue replaces missing areas hence requiring x-rays MRI scan respectively recommending specialist orthopedic doctors on specific cases based upon issues such as increased pains & inflammatory changes during healing phases plus inaccurate positioning of formed calcifications mainly affecting patients living within those age brackets experiencing hormonal fluctuations upcoming menopause onset (usually 40+) which makes things slightly more complicated – hence do not trivialize dental issues by assuming they will resolve themselves…they usually don’t!

In conclusion: If (when) you lose a wisdom tooth (because let’s face it we all meet our match somehow someday) , please remember; firstly that everything is going to be okay! Secondly never underestimate self-care/hygiene’s importance in everyday life especially when wanting to maintain optimum health balance. Finally dental appointments shouldn’t be something that scares us or stresses us tbh…as far as trips go its kinda nice (no pun intended) to be taken care of by a professional even if you have to part ways (temporarily ) with one of your molars.

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