Is The Removal of Wisdom Teeth Actually Necessary? Should I Be Worried?

Wisdom teeth extraction is among the most performed dental surgeries yearly. Wisdom teeth are the last ones to erupt, and despite their name, they do not make anyone wiser. Most people will have their wisdom teeth erupt at the age of 17 to 21; for some, they may not erupt at all. The issue brought by wisdom teeth is that when these last molars become impacted, they infect and affect all the other teeth around them.

Impacted molars can also cause other teeth to shift position in an effort to accommodate the erupting teeth. This can ruin your teeth alignment and affect your smile appearance. Not only this, but you also risk having an underbite or overbite. Most people prefer to have their wisdom teeth removed to avoid such issues.

If you are looking for a dental clinic near you to have your wisdom teeth extracted, visit Meadows View Dental clinic.

Why Dentists Are Warning People to Avoid Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth do not have to be extracted if they have adequate room for growth. Also, if they are impacted but aren’t causing problems, surgical extraction isn’t necessary. This is because the extraction procedure, just like other medical procedures, comes with its risks and potential complications.

In most scenarios of wisdom tooth eruption, the teeth partially erupt or break through gums at bad angles. Having a severely impacted wisdom tooth can cause various oral issues, and at such times, their extraction becomes necessary. Below are some of the reasons why our dentist in SE, Calgary, may recommend the removal of your impacted wisdom teeth.

• Jaw pain– Your jaw’s structural integrity is greatly dependent on your teeth growing properly, including the wisdom teeth. When the wisdom teeth become impacted, they start pushing your other teeth out of place, and this will affect the health, strength, and integrity of your jaw. You are also likely to experience a stiff jaw or difficulties opening and closing your mouth.
• Sinus issues– Impacted wisdom teeth can affect your sinuses, causing issues like frequent headaches, sinus pressure, and sinus congestion.
• Risk of infection and inflammation– A partially erupted tooth puts you at risk of gum infection, which can spread and also affect the surrounding tissues. In addition, impacted wisdom teeth cause lymph nodes inflammation and increase the frequency of sore throat. You may thus find it hard to do activities like talking, eating, and chewing.
• Bad breath – Impacted or partially erupted teeth can be the reason behind your bad breath. Wisdom teeth come out in areas that are hard to reach and are thus a suitable site for bacteria to thrive. Since it’s almost impossible to clean out all the food particles stuck in these areas, the bacteria will break down what’s left, resulting in bad breath.

The Wisdom Teeth Recovery Timeline

The recovery timeline following wisdom teeth surgery from a dentist near you may be between 2 to 4 weeks. The healing will be gradual, and you should see improvements each day. Blood clot formation will occur in the first 24 hours, while the swelling should go down in the next 2 to 3 days. After a week, your dentist will remove the remaining stitches, and in the next 14 days, the soreness, jaw stiffness, and facial bruising should heal.

Suffering a complication like an infection at the extraction site can disrupt the healing process leading to a lengthy recovery timeline. A dry socket is another complication that can prolong healing and cause intense throbbing pain.

What Is the Aftercare of Wisdom Teeth Removal?

The healing process after the surgical extraction of wisdom teeth is reliant on adherence to the post-operative instructions given by the dental practitioner. Following the instructions given by your dentist can help minimize the recovery time, decrease unnecessary swelling and pain, as well as help prevent complications like a bacterial infection.

Following your wisdom teeth removal in Calgary, AB, the dentist will recommend that you:

• Rest and restrict your daily activities for the next 2 to 3 days
• Avoid strenuous activities
• Restrict eating hard foods or any food that needs chewing
• Take the prescribed medications for pain
• Avoid rinsing your mouth vigorously, and don’t smoke, drink alcohol, or suck on a straw
• Use icepacks to minimize the swelling
• Avoid touching the extraction site