Facts You Must Know About Wisdom Tooth Removal
Wisdom teeth are the last molars that erupt during the age bracket of 18 to 25 years. They are the third molars and more often than not people have issues with them. Not all people feel pain due to wisdom teeth but most people do. They don’t have a function in our mouth as we can chew our food properly even without them. Thus, many people get them removed as their dentists suggest extraction for better oral health and comfort. Here’s a look at some facts about wisdom tooth removal that you must know.
Wisdom Teeth Cause Dental Issues
According to the dentist in Surrey, BC near you, in some people, the wisdom tooth never appears while in others they cause problems. Many people have impacted wisdom teeth as they don’t have enough space for erupting in the mouth. Some common issues that wisdom teeth can cause are as follows:
- Your jaw may be too small for accommodating them which can make them impacted and unable to break through the gum.
- The wisdom tooth can break only in the part which can cause a flap that traps germs.
- The impacted teeth can lead to infections, damage the teeth and cause cysts.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction Can Prevent Problems
Some of the oral surgeons will suggest you to get the wisdom teeth removal near me for preventing:
- Crowding of the teeth in the back mouth.
- Wisdom teeth being impacted in the jaw.
- Gum disease caused by tooth decay in the wisdom teeth.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Is Surgery
The dentist or the oral surgeon near you can extract a wisdom tooth in their office. Because of the higher risk involved, some people can also get it removed in the hospital. The dentist will administer local anesthetic for numbing the area. A general anesthetic may be used in case more than one tooth needs to be removed. This means that you will sleep through the procedure.
The dentist will then open the gum tissue over the tooth and take out any bone that is covering it followed by separating the tissue connecting the tooth to the bone and removes the tooth. You may also get stitches that will dissolve or will be removed a few days after the successful procedure.
You Would Need a Few Days to recover After Having Your Wisdom Teeth Removed
Just like any other surgery, you would need a few days recovering from it. The recovery phase can last for a week or two and the oral surgeon will prescribe some painkillers for relieving the pain. Here’s a look at some tips for recovery.
- Change the gauze placed inside your mouth periodically.
- Place an ice pack on your cheeks for 15 minutes for a few days.
- Avoid biting the inside of your tongue or mouth.
- Avoid lying flat on the bed and keep at least a pillow or two while sleeping.
- You must avoid strenuous physical activity.
- Eat only soft foods and thin soup.
- Avoid using straws for having juices and drinks as it can open the wound.
- Follow the doctor’s instructions carefully.
What to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal
- You can have blended soups as they will be soft on your teeth as well as offer the required nutrition. They are also easy to make and easy to digest. Full of vitamins and minerals, these soups are a must-have after the tooth removal.
- Just like soups, even broths are a good source of nutrition after dental surgery. Have them lukewarm or cold so that they don’t irritate the wound.
- Who doesn’t love Greek yogurt? If you need more reasons to have it, your tooth removal is an ideal one. It has a smooth and creamy texture and it helps in soothing and
numbing the mouth. It is high in protein and low in fat. - Mashed potatoes with some herbs and salt can be a good choice of meal post tooth extraction. They are easy to make and taste delicious.
- Mashed bananas also make for a good choice when it comes to soft foods.
- You can also have your favorite Ice-creams as they are soft and tasty and don’t hurt your mouth post-extraction.