Things You Should Know About Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to grow in a person's mouth. These teeth are located at the back of your jaw. Most people have four wisdom teeth, but some have more, and some less. Wisdom teeth are usually removed between the ages of 18 and 24.
If you’re considering wisdom teeth removal, read on for important information about the surgery and its potential risks. Understanding what to expect before, during, and after your procedure can help make the experience as positive as possible.
What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come in during a person's development. Wisdom teeth grow slowly and can cause problems if they get too big or become impacted. When this happens, the wisdom tooth can start to push against other teeth, causing pain and difficulty while eating.
Wisdom teeth may cause discomfort when they grow in, but they can also cause pain if they get stuck. If you experience any pain when your wisdom teeth are developing or growing in, see your nearby Didsbury dentist for an evaluation.
Types of wisdom teeth impactions
Wisdom teeth are associated with a specific type of impaction: mesial, vertical, and distal for the first two teeth and horizontal for the last two.
Here’s what you need to know about each type of impaction before you decide whether or not to have them removed.
Mesial Impactions
Mesial impactions are the most common type of wisdom tooth and occur when one or more of the first two wisdom teeth come in at an angle instead of straight out from the jawbone. This can cause significant damage to the surrounding bone and tooth structures, which is why they’re typically removed as soon as possible. If left untreated, a mesial impaction can lead to tooth loss or even jawbone damage.
Vertical Impactions
Vertical impactions are rare but can happen to anyone. When this happens, one or more of the first two wisdom teeth come into contact with the roof of the mouth (maxilla) instead of going down into the jawbone. This can cause significant damage to the surrounding bone and tooth structures, which is why they’re typically removed as soon as possible.
Horizontal Impactions
Horizontal impactions are less common than either mesial or vertical impactions. When this happens, one or more of the first two wisdom teeth come in at an angle instead of going down into the jawbone. This can cause significant damage to the surrounding tooth and gum tissue, which is why they’re removed immediately.
Distal Impactions
Distal impactions are the rarest type of wisdom tooth and only happen to a small percentage of all patients. It is important to have it removed as soon as possible because the pain it causes can be unbearable. The tooth is attached to the jawbone and the gum around it can be infected.
Problems with keeping your wisdom teeth
If you are like most people, you probably want to keep your wisdom teeth. But, as is the case with many things in life, there are risks and rewards to keeping your wisdom teeth.
Here are some of the problems that can happen if you don't remove your wisdom teeth:
- You may develop gum disease, which can eventually lead to tooth loss.
- Your jawbone may also grow thinner over time, which can cause problems with chewing and swallowing.
- Wisdom teeth can become impacted, which means they won’t budge no matter how much you try. This can lead to pain, inflammation and even infection.
- Wisdom teeth can also shift position within your mouth, which can cause difficulty with speech and dental work down the road.
Why wisdom teeth removal is necessary?
There are many reasons why
wisdom teeth removal is necessary. Some of the most common reasons are as follows:
To alleviate pain from overcrowding of other teeth in the jaw
To prevent future toothache and other dental problems
To improve oral hygiene
To improve appearance
Do I need to have my wisdom teeth removed?
Wisdom teeth are typically removed between the ages of 18 and 24, but there are many cases in which they can be removed earlier or later. If you are over the age of 18 and your wisdom teeth are causing you pain or difficulty chewing, you should consult with a local dentist to see if they should be removed.
How to prepare for a wisdom teeth removal
Before you undergo wisdom teeth removal, there are a few things you should do to make the experience as smooth and comfortable as possible for both you and your dentist in Didsbury AB.
Here are five tips to help get you started:
- Make an appointment with your nearby dentist as soon as possible. Wisdom teeth removal requires time and preparation in order to ensure the best outcomes.
- Bring along any relevant medical records from previous wisdom tooth removal procedures. Your dentist will need to know about any health conditions or medications you may be taking in order to prevent any potential complications during the procedure.
- Make sure to maintain a healthy diet before your appointment. A healthy diet will help reduce the risk of postoperative pain and infection, which can negatively impact your recovery.
- Arrive at the Didsbury dentist's office has already completed some basic dental hygiene procedures, such as brushing and flossing, before your surgery. This will help prevent any potential complications during the procedure.
- Relax! Although it may seem like a daunting task, undergoing wisdom teeth removal is actually quite simple if you plan and follow these tips. With proper preparation, you should have an easy time recovering.
What happens during the surgery?
There are a few different types of wisdom teeth removal procedures, but all involve removing the tooth by cutting it out and removing the surrounding gum. The most common type is an extraction, which is usually done when a tooth is too big or difficult to remove using other methods.
During the wisdom tooth extraction, your dentist will make an incision in your mouth and use a special tool to pull out the tooth. The tooth may be attached to the jaw by a root or crown (the top part of the tooth), so your dentist may need to remove both together. If the tooth is just attached by a root, your dentist may be able to leave it in place and remove the root later. If the tooth is attached by a crown, your dentist will likely have to remove it.
You may feel some pain during the surgery, but it should be minimal and should go away within a few days. If you have any questions about your procedure, please don’t hesitate to ask your dentist.
What to expect after wisdom teeth removal
The process of removing wisdom teeth can be both painful and uncomfortable, but with the proper preparation and attitude, it can be an effective and relatively short procedure.
Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Expect some pain during and after your surgery. This can range from mild discomfort to intense pain. Taking painkillers or using other forms of relief will help to minimize discomfort.
- You may experience swelling and soreness in the area around your wisdom teeth for several days following your procedure. These symptoms will eventually subside but may take up to two weeks for complete healing.
- It is important not to strain or overly exert yourself while recovering from wisdom tooth removal; any movement that causes pain should be avoided until the area has fully healed.
If you are prepared for possible discomfort and follow these tips, you should have a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.
If you are thinking about getting wisdom teeth removed or need an emergency wisdom tooth extraction in Didsbury Alberta, it is important that you do your research first. There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about wisdom teeth removal, and it is important to have accurate information in order to make an informed decision.
This article will help you make an informed decision about whether or not to have this surgery and give you a better understanding of what to expect during and after the procedure.
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