Many people have questions about their wisdom teeth, and understandably so. The wisdom teeth are a mysterious part of the anatomy to many. The “third molars” are the less vernacular name for the wisdom teeth.
Wisdom teeth removal dentists are experts in the field and know the ins and outs of our elusive third molars. Almost 85% of people will eventually pay a visit to a wisdom teeth removal surgeon at some point in their lives to have their teeth removed. Even though it’s a rite of passage for so many people, there’s still a lot of mystery surrounding these teeth if you haven’t extensively studied them.
Why Do We Need Wisdom Teeth Removed?
When our jaws grow, they do not grow large enough for our wisdom teeth to come in – or, the wisdom teeth do come in before other teeth do, and hence overcrowd the mouth. Since our mouths lack the space for all of these teeth, our wisdom teeth often come in at an angle, or they do not fully emerge. Either way, this may cause issues for the rest of the mouth, and for the whole facial structure. Wisdom teeth removal is then required.
If we do not remove the wisdom teeth in time, these third molars can wreak havoc on their next-door neighbors in your mouth, the second molars. We always recommend removing the wisdom teeth before they can damage the second molars. The damage that could occur will often create a need for another, more involved surgery later on, so it is smarter to be pro-active about the situation.
If you wait too long to have them taken out by a wisdom teeth extraction surgeon, the following complications can arise:
- Pain – wisdom teeth can cause severe pain as they attempt to erupt from the surface fo the gums
- Infections – bacteria lodges in the nooks and crannies of partially erupted wisdom teeth
- Teeth crowding – wisdom teeth push against adjacent teeth as they come in, causing misalignment and other issues
- Damage to neighboring teeth – the roots and bones of your other teeth can become damaged by wisdom teeth
- Cysts or tumors – this doesn’t happen often, but untreated wisdom teeth can lead to the formation of cysts around them
In short, none of this sounds fun, and you certainly don’t want to risk damaging existing teeth. If you know or suspect your wisdom teeth are coming in, don’t hesitate to visit a dental surgeon who deals in wisdom teeth removal.
When is the Best Time to Visit a Wisdom Teeth Removal Doctor?
The right time to get your wisdom teeth taken out by a dental surgeon specializing in wisdom teeth removal depends on a few circumstances. Most people will visit their local wisdom teeth removal surgeon when they’re in their late teens or early twenties. At this age, the wisdom teeth roots are still developing. They’re much easier to remove when the roots aren’t fully established, and it also decreases the risk of damaging surrounding nerves. Younger folks also experience quicker recovery and can get back to their usual routine much faster.
In truth, though, a wisdom tooth removal specialist can take them out at any point. The surgery itself is more involved, and you probably won’t heal nearly as quick as someone in their youth. But if you need them removed, it’s best not to delay. Unchecked wisdom teeth can lead to many complications for your oral health, and you’ll end up needing more than just a dental doctor who performs wisdom teeth extraction to help out.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
When we say that the wisdom teeth are “impacted,” this means that the teeth have not fully erupted into the mouth because other teeth are blocking (impacting) them. Having those wisdom teeth stuck in the jaw, unable to erupt or emerge, is not a pleasant experience. This impacted state can cause pain, inflammation, and infection.
Why do our jaws not allow room for all 32 teeth to come in straight? This is an excellent question, and one with which our profession has grappled for many years. Our ancestors had all 32 come in, and their jaws developed to a greater extent than our do. Much of this is due to the modern diet, which includes a great deal of soft, nutrient-poor foods. Crunchy, raw foods used to constitute a much larger portion of our diet. We also used to receive nutrients from organ meats, which we largely miss with the modern diet. Liver and other organ meats contain Vitamin K2, which helps our bodies feed calcium into our bones. In today’s society, we consume very little Vitamin K2, and this has led to our jaws developing less fully than they did thousands of years ago.
What’s Recovery from Wisdom Teeth Surgery Like?
After you have your wisdom teeth extracted by an oral surgeon who specializes in wisdom teeth removal, you’ll experience some pain, swelling, and possibly light bleeding in the first 24 hours following surgery.
Your wisdom tooth removal doctor will send you home with detailed post-op instructions, but expect to get lots of rest in the days following. You’ll also want to stick to soft foods entirely for around a full week. While it’s not the most fun having a limited diet, it’ll be over before you know it.
Make sure to listen to your wisdom teeth removal dentist and follow their instructions for post-op care closely. They’re attuned to your individual needs and will give you care instructions that will have you healed up and back to normal in no time.
If you have any questions about wisdom teeth removal, or would like to schedule an appointment, you can reach us at (937) 382-8020. The friendly staff at Wilmington Oral Surgery looks forward to working with you.
