What are wisdom teeth?
The wisdom teeth or third molars grow at the back of the gums. They are the last set of teeth that emerge and many people have four wisdom teeth with one in each corner. They usually grow through the gums during the later teenage years or in the early twenties when the other 28 adult permanent teeth are in place.
Why are they known as impacted teeth?
Due to lack of space the wisdom teeth can sometimes emerge at an angle or they get stuck and emerge partially only. The wisdom teeth which emerge in such a way are known as impacted teeth.
Why should the wisdom teeth be removed?
Wisdom teeth which have become impacted or which haven’t emerged fully through the gum can cause many dental problems.
- Food particles can get trapped around the edge of the wisdom teeth and as a result bacteria might grow in these areas.
- It might lead to the development of plaque due to lack of proper cleaning of teeth which will cause gum disease, tooth decay or other problems.
If the wisdom teeth are not impacted and they do not cause any problems they need not be removed as they do not cause any complications.
When should one visit the dentist?
Like any teeth problems it is very important to see your dentist at the earliest. If you’re experiencing discomfort or severe pain caused by the wisdom teeth it is best suggested that you make an appointment with your dentist. The dentist will check your teeth and will advise you accordingly whether the teeth need to be removed or not.
How are wisdom teeth removed?
Wisdom teeth may be removed by your dentist or they may also refer you to a specialist surgeon for treatment.
What is the wisdom tooth surgery procedure?
The various dental clinics in Pune like the Oswal Dental clinic have been successfully conducting wisdom tooth surgery to alleviate the various dental problems. The following are the wisdom tooth surgery procedure conducted by the dental surgeons in Pune.
- The patient will usually be injected local anaesthesia to numb the area around the wisdom tooth.
- In some cases during the surgery before the wisdom tooth is removed, an incision or cut in your gum may also be resorted to by the surgeon and tooth may need to be cut into smaller pieces.
- The duration of the procedure will vary depending upon the condition of the tooth. It might take only a few minutes for removal in some cases while in others it may also take about 20 minutes or longer.
Will the patient feel any discomfort after the surgery?
When the wisdom teeth have been removed, the patient may experience discomfort and there might also be swelling both on the inside and outside of the mouth. This may persist for the first three days and can also last for up to two weeks. At times slight bleeding may also occur in the saliva.
What is the post-operative care that one needs to take?
Since the removal of wisdom teeth is a surgical procedure, post-operative care is very important. Take the following points into account after the wisdom tooth surgery.
- The gauze pad which is placed over the surgical area should be kept in place for half an hour and should later be removed and discarded.
- You should avoid vigorous rinsing and touching the wounded area after the surgery. Else, it may initiate bleeding by causing the blood clot that has been formed in the surgical area to become dislodged.
- After some time the local anaesthetic will not be effective and its effect begins to diminish and you might feel discomfort or pain. In such times it is advisable to take the prescribed pain killers.
- Restrict any activities on the day of the surgery and when you feel comfortable resume normal activity.
- If you feel nausea and vomiting sip on tea or ginger ale.
- Place ice pack on the sides of your face after the surgery is performed to minimize swelling. You can do this for 36 hours and later it can be replaced with the application of moist heat to the both the sides of the face.
- Rinsing or wiping the blood clot can be done if there is excessive bleeding.
- In the case of diet, only liquids should be taken after the surgery. You can eat something soft by chewing it away from the surgical site. Have ample fluid intake to avoid dehydration. The intake of food will be limited for the first few days and regular meal can be resumed.
- Brushing of teeth should be avoided after the surgery. You can brush your teeth in the night on the surgery and take care by rinsing gently. The day after the surgery, you should begin to rinse at least 5 to 6 times with a cup of warm water by adding a teaspoon of salt to it.
You can minimize the pain, swelling and the complications of infection by following these instructions carefully.
Ref.
Links:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Wisdom-tooth-removal/Pages/Introduction.aspx
http://www.conestogaoms.com/instructions/wisdom_tooth_removal.html