If you are unsure about having your wisdom teeth removed or are wondering whether or not you have wisdom teeth, ask your friendly Thornhill dentist to check for you. They may take an x-ray of your teeth to check if your wisdom teeth are present and how they are aligned. If further evaluation is necessary, your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon for an examination.
After evaluation, your oral surgeon or your dentist may suggest that you have your wisdom teeth removed, even if you are experiencing no problems with them. This is because, the earlier they are removed, the less complicated the procedure will be.
HOW ARE WISDOM TEETH REMOVED?
The ease at which a wisdom tooth can be extracted will depend on the position of the tooth and how far it has developed. If the tooth is fully visible above the gum, extraction will be no more difficult than a regular tooth. If it is still under the gum, it will require an incision and, if it is embedded in the jaw bone, it will require the removal of the bone that is covering the tooth. In the more complicated wisdom tooth extractions, small sections of the tooth may be extracted one piece at a time.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL?
The first thing that will happen when you have a wisdom tooth extracted is that the tooth and the surrounding gum will be anaesthetised. In some cases, a sedative may also be administered to reduce anxiety, which may mean that you will be unable to drive immediately after the treatment.
WHAT DOES RECOVERY INVOLVE AFTER WISDOM TEETH ARE PULLED?
How quickly you recover from a wisdom tooth extraction will depend on the complexity of the extraction. Here, in general terms, is what you can expect following the extraction of a wisdom tooth.
During the first 24 hours
In the first few hours following the extraction you may experience some bleeding. This can be controlled by biting down on a clean piece of gauze placed over the socket. You should avoid rinsing your mouth out for 24 hours, avoid hot drinks, and avoid any sucking that might dislodge the blood clot. Typically, there will be some swelling of the face, which can be reduced by placing an ice pack against your face. You can take off-the-shelf pain medication, if required, or your dentist may prescribe stronger painkillers if they are needed. You may also be prescribed antibiotics if there was any infection found around the wisdom tooth. For the first few days after the extraction, it is advisable to eat soft foods and only brush your teeth very gently. You should also avoid alcohol if you are taking any pain relief medication.
After 24 hours
After 24 hours, swelling in the face should be treated by applying heat to the affected area. You should rinse your mouth with salt water after every meal and just before you go to bed and you should not use a store-bought mouthwash during this period.
If you had any stitches and they were not the dissolvable type, they will need to be removed after about one week. It will take approximately two weeks of the socket to heal fully.
WHAT ARE POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS OF WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL?
Other than the mild discomfort, there are two main complications that could occur.
Dry Socket
If a blood clot does not form in the socket or, if the clot is dislodged, a complication known as dry socket can occur. If this happens, it will take longer for the socket to heal and it may become infected. The symptoms of dry socket include pain and mouth odour. Your dentist will treat this condition by inserting medication into the socket.
Paresthesia
Wisdom teeth that have become trapped in the jawbone are sometimes very close to nerves and those nerves can be damaged by the removal of the tooth. In rare cases, this can cause a condition called paresthesia, which is a numbing of the chin, lip or tongue that can last anything from a few days to a few months. In some very rare cases, paresthesia can be permanent. To avoid any of these potential problems, call your Thornhill dentist today and get it checked immediately before it becomes a big issue.