Before humans figured out how to cook food, they subsisted largely on a diet of raw meat and fibrous plant matter. Our primitive ancestors needed their wisdom teeth to pulverize these tough foods into easily digestible pulps during the chewing process, but modern mouths are often too small to accommodate these third molars. Here’s a brief overview of the problems your wisdom teeth may cause as well as a quick guide to the extraction process.
What Problems Can Wisdom Teeth Cause?
The wisdom teeth, or third molars, typically begin to emerge in the late teens or early twenties, and they can cause a lot of distress and dental health issues in many cases. Emerging wisdom teeth can lead to problems like:
- Chronic aching pain
- Dental crowding
- Oral hygiene difficulties
- Tooth decay and other oral infections
- TMJ issues
- Teeth grinding
- Forcing teeth out of alignment, which can be especially frustrating for people who have completed orthodontic treatments
The preservation of natural teeth is one of the primary goals of dentistry, but it is sometimes necessary to remove one or some teeth to protect the others. Your dentist will not recommend wisdom tooth extraction unless it is the best way to ensure your oral health.
How Are Wisdom Teeth Extracted?
Before beginning a wisdom tooth extraction, your dentist will administer an appropriate anesthetic and possibly a sedation treatment to make sure that you remain comfortable and feel no pain throughout the procedure. Then, they will use a device called an elevator to lift the tooth out of the gum tissue. After grasping it with forceps, they will gently work the molar free of its connective tissue. In complex cases such as those of impacted teeth, it may be necessary to make incisions in the gums, and you may receive stitches afterward.
What Is Recovering from Wisdom Tooth Extraction Like?
After having your wisdom teeth extracted, you’ll probably need a trusted individual to drive you home while the anesthetic is wearing off. The best way to ensure your comfort and a smooth healing process after the procedure is to strictly adhere to your dentist’s postoperative instructions. These will probably include:
- Take prescribed or over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers or antibiotics as instructed.
- Refrain from drinking through a straw or spitting, as these actions can disturb the healing tissues and lead to a severely painful condition called dry socket.
- Stick to a soft, mild diet until you can comfortably resume your normal eating habits.
- Avoid strenuous exercise for several days after the procedure.
Removing wisdom teeth can be the best way to relieve pain, prevent infections, and preserve your oral health. Complying with your dentist’s instructions after extraction can keep your recovery comfortable and complication-free.
About the Practice
Smile More Dentistry provides the finest oral health services in Tappan. Led by Drs. LaCap, Tong, Davidson, Kim, and Jeon, the staff treats each customer with sincere compassion and exemplary customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as extraction services. If you think you may need wisdom tooth extractions, contact the office online or dial (845) 675-1512.