14 Jan Wisdom Teeth

The third, and last, set of molars, known as “wisdom teeth” generally start coming in during the late teen years to the early twenties. Because they are so late to come in, there can be problems associated with wisdom teeth which may require removal. Wisdom tooth extraction is a fairly common procedure.

So, what are some common reasons that wisdom teeth need to be removed? Sometimes there is not enough room in the mouth to make space for the new teeth coming in, which increases the chance of having impacted wisdom teeth. A wisdom tooth can also come in crooked, which can cause problems with your bite as well as potentially having a negative effect on the jaw or surrounding teeth. If a wisdom tooth does not fully emerge, there is an increased chance of bacterial infection in the area.

As with many other dental procedures, anesthesia will be used in the event of wisdom tooth extraction. Occasionally it is possible to just have a local numbing shot, but when multiple teeth are being extracted at once, sedation or general anesthesia is more likely. Your dentist will work with you to determine the proper approach, depending on all the factors. 

Once you have been anesthetized, the tooth will be surgically removed. After the procedure, you may experience some bleeding at the extraction site, which can be controlled by using gauze pads. Your dentist may prescribe you pain medication. Ice packs applied to the face can help to reduce swelling, and a warm salt water rinse can also help alleviate negative symptoms. The recovery should only take a few days, during which you may want to eat soft foods and just generally take extra care when brushing, flossing, and eating.