Wisdom Teeth - To remove or not to remove?
Some of us are fortunate enough to not have to have had our wisdom teeth removed. Others are not, as was the case of a friend of mine, who had all of hers removed at the age of twenty-three. This controversy of removing or not removing has been ongoing for some time. If they don’t erupt and break through, it is thought that they will cause no harm. However, if they remain impacted and are in an abnormal position, it could be harmful and would require a complete assessment from a dentist.
A tooth becomes impacted due to lack of space in the dental arch. The breaking through of the tooth is prevented by the bone, gum, another tooth or all three of these factors.
So when should wisdom teeth be removed? One factor for removal is tooth decay. Bacteria and food particles can form around impacted wisdom teeth, causing it to decay. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to remove and can cause a lot of pain.
Gum infections can result from food and bacterial collecting under the gums of wisdom teeth that are partially erupted. This infection can spread throughout the mouth, on the cheek, and into the neck. This is also a cause for wisdom teeth removal.
Another factor for removal is that pressure from the erupting wisdom teeth against another tooth can cause erosion. Also, eruption of wisdom teeth may cause movement of others and will change any orthodontic measures that have already been taken.
Sometimes a cyst may develop around the area of an impacted tooth. This can cause jaw expansion and displacement and/or damage of a nearby tooth.
If any of these situations occur, it may be cause for wisdom teeth to be removed.
It is very important to talk to your dentist about the procedure, risks, possible complications and outcomes of the removal. The extraction may be done by a dentist or you may be referred to an oral surgeon. This decision is based on the dentist’s preference and the unique factors of each case. If you are unsure about whether or not to proceed with the treatment suggested by your dentist, it is a good idea to get a second opinion. If you decide after consulting with a dentist to not have any extractions, they should be monitored at every dental visit.
If you decide to have your wisdom teeth removed, you will have to follow some instructions for proper care and recovery. You will need to control the bleeding by changing the gauze packing until the bleeding stops. It may be hard to eat, so you it is wise to eat soft foods that don’t require a lot of chewing. Don’t sip through a straw as this may dislodge the blood clot. Control swelling by using cold packs. After twenty-four hours, you can rinse your mouth with warm salt water to expedite healing.
If you are concerned about your wisdom teeth and whether or not they should be removed, consult your dentist to get his advice and more information.