|  Wisdom
teeth are a valuable asset to the mouth
when they are healthy and properly positioned.
Often, however, problems develop that require
their removal. When the jaw isn't large
enough to accommodate wisdom teeth, they
can become impacted (unable to come in or
misaligned). Wisdom teeth may grow sideways,
emerge only part way from the gum or remain
trapped beneath the gum and bone.
Extraction of wisdom teeth is generally
recommended when:
- Wisdom teeth
only partially erupt. This leaves an opening
for bacteria to enter around the tooth and
cause an infection. Pain, swelling, jaw
stiffness and general illness can result.
- There is a chance
that poorly aligned wisdom teeth will damage
adjacent teeth.
- A cyst (fluid-filled
sac) forms, destroying surrounding structures
such as bone or tooth roots.
| FAQS |
| Why It Is
Done? |
A wisdom tooth is extracted to correct
an actual or potential problem. When
wisdom teeth come in, a number of problems
can occur :
- Your jaw may not be large enough to
accommodate them, and they may become
impacted and unable to break through
your gums. This happens in about 20%
of people.1
- Your wisdom teeth may break partway
through your gums, causing a flap of
gum tissue to grow over them. Food can
become trapped under the flap and cause
your gums to become red, swollen, and
painful.
- More serious problems can develop
from impacted teeth, such as infection,
damage to other teeth and bone, or the
development of a cyst.
- One or more of your wisdom teeth may
come in at an awkward angle, with the
top of the tooth facing forward, backward,
or to either side. |
| How well
it works? |
Wisdom tooth removal usually is effective
in preventing:
- Crowding of the back teeth.
- A wisdom tooth becoming stuck in the
jaw (impacted) and never breaking through
the gums.
- Red, swollen, and painful gums caused
by a flap of skin around a wisdom tooth
that has only partially come in.
- Gum disease and tooth decay in the
wisdom teeth, which may be harder to
clean than other teeth. |
| When is the
best time to do? |
| If removal of the wisdom teeth is
necessary, the procedure is recommended
in the late teenage years, before the
roots are completely formed. Surgical
procedures in general are better tolerated
when one is young and healthy, and the
gum tissues tend to heal better and
more predictably when young. Most people
experience minimal disruption of their
normal routines, and time off from work
or school is usually minimal. At this
point it is worth nothing that the removal
of wisdom teeth can be of great benefit
to your ultimate oral and general health. |
Healing Tips
1.
DO apply pressure to stop the bleeding
by placing the gauze directly over the
extraction site.
2.
DO apply ice packs to your face
to reduce swelling the day of surgery.
3.
DO eat soft foods, such as soups
and blenderized meals after the bleeding
stops.
4.
DO take antibiotics or pain-reducing
medication if prescribed.
5.
DON’T chew hard or crunchy foods
such as nuts or popcorn for 2 weeks. These
foods could become
lodged in the extraction site or fracture
the weakened jawbone.
6.
DON’T rinse your mouth or spit
forcefully the day of surgery; it could
loosen the blood
clot.
7.
DON’T smoke after surgery. Inhaling
creates suction and it could loosen the
blood
clot.
8.
DON’T over exert yourself.
9.
DON’T drink alcohol the day of
surgery or while taking pain medications.
|
