Signs Your Wisdom Teeth Should Be Removed
Ten million wisdom teeth are extracted annually from 5 million people in the United States. Not everyone needs their wisdom teeth removed, but it is the best course when they cause problems or are likely to in the future.
Scott Young, DDS, in The Woodlands, Texas, offers expert wisdom tooth advice and removal when necessary. Here’s what he wants you to know about wisdom tooth removal.
The function of your wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth usually don’t emerge until the late teens or early 20s, and for some, they may never emerge. Like other molars, wisdom teeth help grind food, but thanks to modern utensils, we don’t need them as much as we once did, if at all.
Fun fact: 5% to 37% of the population never form wisdom teeth.
But if you do, they can cause issues. Often, these third molars don’t have enough room to develop or grow properly, leading to complications, including an impacted tooth.
Impacted wisdom teeth can often come in at awkward angles, such as toward the back of the mouth, toward a neighboring tooth, or even at a right angle. Wisdom teeth can also become trapped inside the jawbone and unable to emerge.
Signs your wisdom tooth or teeth are a problem
Common signs your wisdom tooth or teeth are impacted:
- Pain
- Tooth decay
- Damage to surrounding bone or teeth
- Cysts in tissue around the wisdom tooth
- Increased risks of infection or gum disease
- Foul breath
If your wisdom teeth cause any of these issues, Dr. Young will likely recommend removing them.
What to expect during your removal procedure
Removing wisdom teeth typically takes less than an hour. More complex cases can take longer.
Here’s what the procedure will likely entail:
- An incision is made in the gum tissue to access the tooth
- The whole tooth is extracted, or it may be divided into sections for easier removal
- Any bone tissue that’s preventing access to the tooth root is removed
Depending on the complexity of the procedure, Dr. Young uses local anesthetics or intravenous sedation.
After removing your wisdom tooth, Dr. Young cleans the site and closes the wound with stitches, if necessary. Lastly, he applies gauze to the area to manage bleeding and support blood clot formation.
You’ll need someone to drive you home after the procedure.
What to expect during your recovery
For most patients, pain is minimal and managed by over-the-counter pain pills. However, Dr. Young can provide prescription pain relief when needed.
Patients usually start feeling like themselves again within 3-4 days. However, it can take up to a week.
To book a consultation about wisdom tooth removal, contact Dr. Young today.