Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom Teeth, Dangers and Solutions

Wisdom teeth are one of the most serious dental issues patients must contend with, yet many misconceptions exist. These relics of an obsolete biological system can be even more dangerous than many think, especially for patients already suffering from other health conditions.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars that grow right at the far end of the jaw, completing the two sets humans typically have. The original intent of this was to crack the tough shells of nuts and other foods that early humans subsisted on. However, modern agriculture and cooking methods have made this unnecessary.

With the changes in diet, human physiology also changed. As a result, the human jaw became shorter and shallower, leaving less room for all the teeth, which unfortunately failed to evolve accordingly.

This is why wisdom teeth are often considered unnecessary and can be a significant inconvenience for patients who experience the accompanying symptoms.

Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?

The question of whether or not wisdom teeth should be removed is an important one to consider. After all, some cases warrant an extraction while others don’t. It depends entirely on the circumstances surrounding the teeth and the patient’s condition.

In many cases, the patient simply grits their teeth, as it were, and endures the worst symptoms of the wisdom teeth coming out. However, there are just as many, if not more, patients who prefer to get rid of them rather than endure the discomfort for days or weeks.

Then, there are cases where removal is no longer optional. These are those times when patients risk developing serious health issues if the wisdom teeth are left alone. Likewise, some patients work in high-risk jobs where the constant discomfort from wisdom teeth can affect their concentration.

For just some of the situations where a dental extraction of wisdom teeth cannot be avoided include the following:

When the gums are tender and bleeding constantly.
When the pain becomes too much to bear.
When the ache is exacerbated, other health conditions like asthma, congenital heart defects, and high blood pressure occur.
When the discomfort impairs the patient’s senses or functions.
When wisdom teeth damage other teeth.
When an infection sets in.
When the wisdom teeth are impacted.

The above are just some examples of instances where wisdom teeth extraction is recommended and can even be required.

When to Leave Wisdom Teeth Alone

There are times when wisdom teeth extraction is not necessary. To be sure, visiting the dentist for an evaluation is always a good idea.

The reasons for simply leaving the wisdom teeth alone are the following:

When the pain is not completely intolerable.
When there is no excess bleeding.
When the discomfort is not impeding performance.
When the wisdom teeth are completely coming out of the gums.
When the symptoms don’t last for more than a few weeks.

The wisdom teeth can often burst through the gum tissue without problems, and the gums will heal. Ideally, the wisdom teeth should have settled neatly with the rest of the teeth so that there are no unnecessary pressures resulting from the intrusion.

Most importantly, if the symptoms go away over time, there will be no lasting problems from the presence of wisdom teeth.

How Wisdom Teeth Extraction Works

When patients decide to come to our Kitchener Dentist, Fairway Dental, to have their teeth extracted, the steps to get it done are straightforward. The first step is to evaluate the wisdom teeth so that we know exactly what we are dealing with.

A digital X-ray will likely be needed if the wisdom teeth are impacted or have already broken through the gum tissue. This is to ensure that no issues are missed during a visual examination. The more information about the state of the wisdom teeth, the easier it will be to remove them.

Once that is done, the patient is then given local anesthesia, either rubbed around the gums or injected directly into the tissue. In some cases, both are done if the patient is particularly sensitive to pain. Once the area is sufficiently numb, the teeth are extracted using forceps.

At this point, great care is taken to ensure that no unnecessary damage is done to the bone, the gums, or the surrounding teeth. Because wisdom teeth are located at the very back, they can be tricky to pull out.

Once the teeth have been removed, the patient can rinse and spit to cleanse the mouth. A salve is often applied to the cavity to staunch the bleeding. After that, the patient is prescribed medication to speed up recovery.

DISCLAIMER: The advice offered is intended to be informational only and generic in nature. It is in no way offering a definitive diagnosis or specific treatment recommendations for your particular situation. Any advice offered is no substitute for proper evaluation and care by a qualified dentist.