If you suffer from severe pain in your wisdom teeth, it may be time for you to have them removed. We know that it can be a tough decision as it is an invasive procedure that can carry some risks and result in complications. However, many benefits come with the surgical procedure, making life more comfortable for those who have had their wisdom teeth pulled.
If you’re thinking about having your wisdom teeth removed but aren’t sure if it will help relieve pain or improve your dental condition, then read on to learn more about the benefits and side effects of wisdom tooth extraction.
The third molars, also known as wisdom teeth, are the last set of teeth to develop. They usually grow during the late teens or early twenties. Sometimes wisdom teeth are problematic because of their crooked alignment. As these new molars grow in, they can cause overcrowding and misalignment of surrounding teeth. Crowding forces them out at odd angles or traps them underneath other teeth and gums, which may harm neighbouring teeth, the jaw bone, or nerves.
The impacted wisdom teeth are essentially trapped within the soft tissue or the jaw bone, or they erupt partially through the gum. A partially erupted wisdom tooth allows bacteria to enter the tooth, leading to oral infection, pain, and swelling. The hard-to-reach position of the teeth makes brushing and flossing more difficult. Because of this, they are more likely to suffer from tooth decay and gum disease.
Wisdom teeth are often removed when they become impacted as they may cause pain, discomfort, or other problems affecting your daily life. It can also increase the risk of more severe complications later on if left untreated.
Signs That Wisdom Teeth Extraction is a Good Idea
When deciding whether to remove wisdom teeth, your choice will be based primarily on whether they cause you problems now or if it is likely that they will do so in the future. Prior to removing wisdom teeth, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- Is your jaw or nearby teeth already suffering from pain caused by your wisdom teeth, or is this a potential issue?
- Does the growth of the wisdom teeth interfere with the development of the other teeth?
- What are the consequences of wisdom teeth affecting other dental treatments or procedures that are already being planned?
- Is there a risk associated with oral surgery?
- Can the wisdom tooth replace missing or severely damaged molars?
Those with crooked teeth or small jawbones are anxious that their wisdom teeth will further misalign them. It is not always the case, as wisdom teeth may be retained if the oral surgeon believes they will not interfere with neighbouring teeth.
The Surprising Benefits of Wisdom Teeth Removal
For many people, wisdom teeth can be a source of pain and discomfort. They are often removed to avoid distress and inconvenience in the future as they can cause serious health problems. You will benefit from removing them in the following ways:
Prevents wisdom teeth from interfering with orthodontic treatment
As third molars emerge, they may grow at odd angles or not fit properly in the mouth, resulting in a misaligned bite as they push neighbouring teeth out of the way. Although you may already have had braces to straighten your teeth, you will never want to risk ruining your newly aligned smile. The most common reason for wisdom teeth extraction is to prevent them from developing and causing the rest of your teeth to become crooked.
Prevent discomfort caused by tooth shifting
It’s uncomfortable, inconvenient, and painful for your molars to move your teeth. Wisdom teeth that develop at angles or try to squeeze into a location too tight for them can cause discomfort throughout the mouth as your bones change position and are compressed to make room. Thus, this will harm your other teeth, making them more prone to cavities and tooth chipping. Because of this, most experienced dentists urge removing these teeth before they start to develop to prevent future problems.
Protect your jaw from damage
Your dentist will give you specific instructions on how to care for your mouth after dental surgery. It’s crucial that you do an excellent job of caring since infections and wisdom teeth removal complications could occur if the directions aren’t followed correctly. It is the only time your dentist will ask you to refrain from brushing, rinsing, or flossing for the entire day.
Instructions for cleaning include:
- To keep the wound clean, rinse it with saltwater. When you’re done washing, don’t spit out the salt water. Instead, tip your head over the sink and let the water flow down your chin.
- Absorb excess blood by gently dabbing the wound with clean gauze.
You should be able to resume your normal activities one or two days after surgery. You’ll want to be vigilant for a week after the extraction not to move or remove your blood clot or stitches. The blood that has formed over your wisdom tooth hole serves two purposes: it protects and heals the wound in the same way as any scab would. If the blood clotting is disrupted, you will experience discomfort and be at risk of infection. When this occurs, it’s known as a dry socket.
Pain Management
There is a possibility that cysts will grow around these new teeth. Although these cysts can usually be treated, they can slowly hollow out the jaw if they are not dealt with, damaging the nerves.
Makes gum healthy
If tooth movements are necessary to make space for wisdom teeth, the gums around the teeth will also be affected. The gums are likely to become inflamed and swollen, making them harder to clean. As a result, bacteria can find hiding places and cause cavities and foul breath. Maintaining gum health when it comes to tooth upkeep is vital to both your oral and general health.
Risks and Side Effects of Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery
It is not unusual for the surrounding area to feel swollen in the days following the removal of wisdom teeth. The swelling will go down over time, as will the pain. In addition, you may experience some difficulty opening your mouth thoroughly for several hours or days. While these side effects are temporary, if the pain continues for five days or more, it may indicate that the wound is infected.
A wound can become infected if the blood clot that seals it comes off too early, leaving the wound exposed. It is possible to prevent these complications by using antibacterial mouthwashes or gels, and antibiotics are not generally required.
There is a possibility that nerves and blood vessels will be damaged during the surgery. You may experience bleeding and temporary numbness in your tongue or face. But there is a very slim chance that you may experience a severe infection. Approximately 1 out of 100 patients will suffer from long-term adverse effects, such as numbness or tooth damage. The severity of the dental treatment required will determine the likelihood of this happening.
Local anaesthetics are used to numb the area before wisdom teeth extraction. For more complicated operations, general anaesthesia may be used.
Final Thoughts
We hope this article helped you better understand the benefits and side effects of removing wisdom teeth to relieve pain. Wisdom teeth can be painful, which is why we provide safe and effective wisdom tooth removal services that have proven results.
We can provide you with a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs based on an accurate assessment of your oral health. At Burwood Dental Care, we use modern technology to provide patients with comfortable treatments for removing their wisdom teeth. So give us a call at (03) 7003 2011 today, and we will be glad to discuss your options with you.