Want An Easy Fix For Your Wisdom Teeth? Read This!

Did you know our ancestors chewed on food with their wisdom teeth? Since we cook our food to make it soft and eat it with utensils, wisdom teeth are no longer necessary.

As we age, we develop a third set of molars, known as wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are flatter and located in the rear of the mouth. These molars typically appear on top, sides, and bottom in adults. 

Is it necessary to have them removed?

When wisdom teeth are healthy and positioned correctly, your dentist will not remove them. However, when a patient feels pain and discomfort brought by wisdom teeth, this can be a sign that it affects other teeth. Like the other teeth, wisdom teeth need space to grow, but they can grow from different angles.

Your dentist recommends wisdom teeth removal if the following signs are detected:

• Jaw damage
• Gum inflammation
• Pain
• Inflamed gums
• Infection
• Tumours
• It affects the rest of the teeth
• Tooth decay
• Crowded teeth
• Crooked teeth

Any dental treatment begins with a thorough examination by your dentist and an X-ray. Once done, they will discuss the best option for you. 

When to see your dentist for an appointment?

If you have impacted wisdom teeth, your dentist will recommend removing them through surgery. Oral surgeons perform wisdom teeth extraction. The procedure starts with administering the following anesthesia :

1. Local anesthesia –   to help in numbing the mouth.
2. Sedation anesthesia – to help a patient relax and reduce pain.
3. General anesthesia –  to allow the patient to sleep and be unconscious.

During the procedure, the oral surgeon cuts a slit in your gums to remove the wisdom teeth. Once removed, they will stitch back the gums together and applies gauze to stop the bleeding. You do not need to worry about the surgery since it will only take 30 to 60 minutes, and you can leave after the procedure. 

Wisdom teeth aftercare instructions

Within a few days of surgery, most people can get back to their routine. You can expect to heal your mouth entirely within six weeks. Here are some aftercare wisdom teeth removal instructions to help you recover faster :

• Bleeding

Bleeding is common after wisdom teeth surgery. To absorb blood, bite a piece of gauze gently. You should change the gauze once it becomes soaked with blood. If in case there is still continuous bleeding after twenty-four hours, call your dentist immediately. 

• Swelling

To reduce swelling, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek. For the first 24 hours, apply for 15 to 20 minutes per session. During the next 2 to 3 days, you can use a cotton face cloth moistened with warm water. 

• Sleeping position and physical activity

Never lie flat while sleeping to prevent bleeding from lasting longer. Put a pillow beneath your head. As much as possible, take a rest and avoid strenuous physical activity since it will cause bleeding. 

• Food restrictions

During your recovery period, your dentist will advise you to have a soft diet. Once you’re feeling better, you can slowly add solid foods. Avoid using straws during those first few days, as they can delay the healing process and loosen your blood clot. 

• Cleaning your teeth

For a faster recovery, gently rinse your mouth after 24 hours with salt water to relieve your pain. You can brush your teeth but make sure to do it carefully, avoiding the extraction site.  

Schedule an appointment

Your wisdom teeth can cause you a lot of pain. Don’t wait another day before making an appointment. Your mouth deserves some peace of mind. Call your dentist in London today!

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