Around your teenage years, your classmates start to mention how they are making a trip to the dentist to have their wisdom teeth removed. “What’s a wisdom tooth? And why do you need to get it removed?” you wonder. A week or so later, your classmate returns to school and shares their experience with you. One thing they inevitably highlight is how painful the recovery process was. They couldn’t eat anything solid and experienced occasional episodes of spitting out blood that came from the extraction site. Their cheeks were also insanely swollen for the first couple of days.
The whole experience sounds awful, and you start to get nervous about when YOUR time will come. We won’t sugarcoat it, wisdom teeth removal involves a pretty painful recovery process. However, what we can do is ease your anxiety and answer some questions about what the process is like.
What is a wisdom tooth?
Your wisdom teeth are the very last teeth to come in. They are in the very back of your mouth and usually start to come in around your late teens and early twenties. When your wisdom teeth start to come in, you will notice that the gums in the back of your mouth are tender, swollen, and reddish. In some cases, you may have difficulty biting down because of the swelling. The American Dental Association also advises that it is time to remove your wisdom teeth when you start to experience:
- Pain
- Infection
- Cysts
- Tumors
- Damage to neighboring teeth
- Gum Disease
- Tooth decay
Routine visits to your dentist are best for them to assess the state of your wisdom teeth and discern whether or not they will affect the positioning of your teeth.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
The good news about getting your wisdom teeth removed is that you won’t feel it. Patients are typically sedated, and by the time you wake up, you’re ready to be sent home with a bag of aftercare products and medication to help manage the pain.
Risks of Wisdom Tooth Removal
Wisdom teeth removal is a pretty smooth-sailing process. However, on rare instances, there may be complications that you should be mindful of, such as:
- Dry socket is exposure to bone when the post-surgical blood clot is lost from the site of the surgical wound.
- Infection in the socket from bacteria that get trapped, which can happen from poor hygiene.
- Damage to neighboring teeth, nerves, jawbone, or your sinuses.
Some people don’t need to get their wisdom teeth removed because it won’t overcrowd and affect their other teeth. They may experience some swelling and irritation when the wisdom tooth starts to come in, but after that, the swelling and pain will die down.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for tailored dental care that meets your individual needs, look no further than BrightSmile Avenue. Our dedicated team is committed to providing you with exceptional care that is personalized to your unique dental needs. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment and let us help you achieve a healthy and beautiful smile!