 |
 |
 Wisdom
teeth are a valuable asset to
the mouth when they are healthy
and properly positioned. Often,
however, problems develop that
require their removal. When the
jaw isn't large enough to
accommodate wisdom teeth, they
can become impacted (unable to
come in or misaligned). Wisdom
teeth may grow sideways, emerge
only part way from the gum or
remain trapped beneath the gum
and bone.
Extraction of wisdom teeth is
generally recommended when:
- Wisdom teeth only
partially erupt. This leaves an
opening for bacteria to enter
around the tooth and cause an
infection. Pain, swelling, jaw
stiffness and general illness
can result.
- There
is a chance that poorly aligned
wisdom teeth will damage
adjacent teeth.
- A
cyst (fluid-filled sac) forms,
destroying surrounding
structures such as bone or tooth
roots.
|
FAQS
|
|
Why It Is Done?
|
A wisdom tooth is
extracted to correct an
actual or potential
problem. When wisdom
teeth come in, a number
of problems can occur :
- Your jaw may not be
large enough to
accommodate them, and
they may become impacted
and unable to break
through your gums. This
happens in about 20% of
people.1
- Your wisdom teeth may
break partway through
your gums, causing a
flap of gum tissue to
grow over them. Food can
become trapped under the
flap and cause your gums
to become red, swollen,
and painful.
- More serious problems
can develop from
impacted teeth, such as
infection, damage to
other teeth and bone, or
the development of a
cyst.
- One or more of your
wisdom teeth may come in
at an awkward angle,
with the top of the
tooth facing forward,
backward, or to either
side. |
|
How well it works? |
Wisdom tooth removal
usually is effective in
preventing:
- Crowding of the back
teeth.
- A wisdom tooth
becoming stuck in the
jaw (impacted) and never
breaking through the
gums.
- Red, swollen, and
painful gums caused by a
flap of skin around a
wisdom tooth that has
only partially come in.
- Gum disease and tooth
decay in the wisdom
teeth, which may be
harder to clean than
other teeth. |
|
When is the best time to
do? |
|
If removal of the wisdom
teeth is necessary, the
procedure is recommended
in the late teenage
years, before the roots
are completely formed.
Surgical procedures in
general are better
tolerated when one is
young and healthy, and
the gum tissues tend to
heal better and more
predictably when young.
Most people experience
minimal disruption of
their normal routines,
and time off from work
or school is usually
minimal. At this point
it is worth nothing that
the removal of wisdom
teeth can be of great
benefit to your ultimate
oral and general health. |
Healing Tips
1. DO
apply pressure to stop the
bleeding by placing the gauze
directly over the
extraction site.
2. DO
apply ice packs to your face to
reduce swelling the day of
surgery.
3. DO eat
soft foods, such as soups and
blenderized meals after the
bleeding stops.
4. DO take
antibiotics or pain-reducing
medication if prescribed.
5. DON’T
chew hard or crunchy foods such
as nuts or popcorn for 2 weeks.
These
foods could become
lodged in the extraction site or
fracture the weakened jawbone.
6. DON’T
rinse your mouth or spit
forcefully the day of surgery;
it could loosen the blood
clot.
7. DON’T
smoke after surgery. Inhaling
creates suction and it could
loosen the blood
clot.
8. DON’T
over exert yourself.
9. DON’T
drink alcohol the day of surgery
or while taking pain
medications.
|
|
|
Copyright © by Thailanddentalcenter.com