Why is it necessary to remove wisdom teeth?

Have you ever woken up with a pounding headache, swollen cheeks, and excruciating pain in the back of your mouth? If yes, chances are high that your third molars or wisdom teeth were driving you nuts.

Wisdom teeth usually appear between ages 17 and 25. These set of molars grow at the end of the upper and lower jaws. In most people, the jawline isn’t large enough to accommodate these new additions without causing some problems.

In this informative article, we will unravel why it’s essential to remove impacted wisdom teeth and share some common symptoms linked with their growth. Read on!

What are Wisdom Teeth?

Our Team of dental enthusiasts can’t help but geek out about how unique our pearly whites are! So let’s indulge in a little oral anatomy class:

Third molars or “wisdom” teeth are technically speaking: ‘any posterior-most tooth in each group’. They’re called ”wisdom” because they appear later than other permanent molars – typically when individuals reach late adolescence/ early adulthood which was once considered as being wise henceforth earning its name (we highly doubt King Solomon would pass on this kind of treasure).

Jokes aside, humans generally have four wisdom teeth- two below our chewing surfaces(mandibular) and two above(maxillary).

Why Do We Need To Remove Wisdom Teeth?

Now now… don’t be too quick to judge – not all Third-molar extraction stories go awry; however if removal does become imminent here’s what could happen if one ignores them:

Impacted Teeth

Impaction happens when there isn’t enough room for your emerging third molars due to root development unpredictably steering growth into undesirable angles
or spaces

This obstruction significantly affects gum tissue , increasing the possibility of infection emergence leading sensibly towards irreversible bone damage .

There is no way to predict if you won’t have impacted teeth. Even when predicting is possible, it’s safest to remove them as they can cause some infections and cysts that could impact your oral health.

Overcrowding

Maybe I should cancel my travel plans this summer or avoid ‘vegetables’ for good… wrong! However once the overcrowded cavity masses in between existing molars show up- You’ll be thinking twice before biting into a steak again…

Especially if orthodontic treatment was previously undergone, often having these extra molars that don’t fit will create needless replacements leading to more painful dental issues .

When Is The Right Time?

Now we know why removing wisdom teeth is necessary; let’s talk about timing – this part seems like an excellent opportunity for us to set aside our personal preferences and put on our serious hats (we promise not to bore you.)

One of the essential factors when considering impacted/wisdom tooth removal should always involve timing – As discussed above those root developments at the end of their jawlines offer a glimpse of potential complications with teeth positioning/gum exposure/bone damage/cyst formation/nerve injury hence opting out becomes unrealistic.
However removing early-onset impacts post surgery being far easier saves time/pain/expenses from issues affecting neighboring tissues while preventing any long-term harmful effects.

You’re probably wondering how you’d know it’s time to remove your wisdom teeth. Let’s delve deeper:

A vast number of people experience no problems with their third molars besides natural wear-and-tear attributes over-time . Others might develop severe symptoms such as :

  • Intense Pain
  • Inflamed Gums
  • Swelling around Jaw/Face due to infection/cysts formation
  • Crowded Teeth

So How Do We Remove Them?

Wisdom Tooth Extractions are usually standard simple outpatient procedures performed by general practice dentists/oral surgery specialists /oral/maxillofacial surgeons; except in emergency situations .
The procedure involves using anesthesia-Depending on the extractions’ complexity, it can either be:

Local Anesthesia

Basically – You’re awake throughout the process (easy there cowboy!) and feel pressure – but you won’t experience any pain.

Sedation

This type of anesthesia means receiving medication to make you drowsy during its course while helping with nervousness or anxiety hence leaving no ticks on this bucket list!

In both cases as protocols generally dictate that one should have a ‘responsible driver’ accompany them home🚗💨 for safety purposes.

It’s essential knowing what happens during their extraction so let’s break it down step-by-step:

Step One: Pre-Ops Phase :/

Anticipate some bleeding after surgery , so dress accordingly also if opting out from general/local anesthesia likely receive sedatives injected intravenously over several minutes .

Step Two: Tooth Removal Process 🦷:

The dentist/oral surgeon will typically extract each tooth one at a time place surgical implements around your jawline serving as leverage guiding molars away from gum tissue.

Next up … just kidding we’re done! The entire process may take hours/quickly depending upon unique positioning/extraction protocol.

Step Three: Post-Op Period 😖 :

Keep medications prescribed close by, maintain prescribed alcohol-rinses/or the use of ice-packs applying when necessary.
For proper wound healing, avoid hot drinks/smoking/strenuous exercise/eating/drinking right after the operation( don’t worry Starbucks isn’t going anywhere)

Talk about deadlines work/due dates/tournaments etc. arrange wisely before setting an appointment ensuring adequate rest/recovery times set aside in advance.. trust us your body will thank you!

So Why Not Keep Them?
Well dear wide-eyed reader hats off to you for asking! Despite a small number of cases whereby the retention of wisdom teeth is possible; unfortunately, more times than not these remain in place.

In such an instance surgical intervention could still be essential later on down-the-line – this happening to young adults would approximate twice-over compared with over middle-aged individuals.

Keep in mind, dental surgery becomes riskier as one gets older since bone density tends to decrease making extractions costly/time-consuming/painful at night! Yikes !🥺.

That’s all folks! Getting your third molars or wisdom teeth removed might seem problematic, but it’s undoubtedly worth it in the long run. If you’re experiencing pain, consult with your dentist/oral surgeon for professional advice and guidance today!

Have a great day ahead!

Disclaimer: This article does not substitute expert medical advice from certified professionals hence always seeking legal counsel before acting remains paramount .

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