You have likely heard of wisdom teeth and associate them with the extraction procedure to remove them from the mouth. But what role do these teeth have on your oral health?
If your wisdom teeth feel sore, they might be growing into place. If this occurs, you should consult your dentist to make sure they are not negatively impacting your smile. Read on to see your expert dentist respond to frequently asked questions regarding wisdom teeth and their effect on your overall dental health.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth refer to the third set of molars in the mouth. The name comes from the fact that they tend to grow into place after an individual completes puberty.
In some instances, wisdom teeth will assume their place in your smile without issue. Some patients do not even have wisdom teeth. But in many cases, wisdom teeth will come with complications that could have detrimental effects on your jaw, gums, and other teeth. This is why you should ensure your dentist evaluates your wisdom teeth and why many patients need to have them extracted from their smiles.
Why Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Approximately 85% of adults will need to have their wisdom teeth removed. The wisdom teeth can cause several issues in your mouth that will lead to the dentist’s recommendation to extract them.
Wisdom teeth can cause overcrowding with a patient’s other teeth as they grow into place. They can shift the teeth out of their position, impacting their alignment. This could lead to bite problems as well as a higher risk for many other dental dangers.
To prevent these issues, dentists may remove the wisdom teeth before they can invoke this type of damage. Dentists can monitor the growth of wisdom teeth and estimate how dangerous they can be for your smile before they grow into place. They use x-ray imaging to view these teeth.
Wisdom teeth may also become impacted as they grow. This occurs when the teeth become stuck and cannot grow properly to burst through the gum tissue. They have a high likelihood of infection in this position. So dentists will suggest the extraction of these teeth in these cases.
What Can I Expect During Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Your dentist can remove one, several, or all of your wisdom teeth within one extraction procedure if needed. They will give you adequate sedation for the duration of this treatment so that you will remain at ease and comfortable in the dentist’s chair.
The dentist cuts into the gums to access the wisdom teeth and they carefully extract the teeth from the mouth. You may feel groggy from the sedation as you return home from the dentist’s office that same day.
Patients will feel sore and may experience swelling as these surgical sites heal. Follow aftercare instructions from your dentist to prevent complications such as painful dry socket.