What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that typically develop in adults ages 17-21. The molars were named “wisdom teeth” as they come later in life when a person is “wiser.” As most jaws are done growing around age 18, wisdom teeth coming in later may cause teeth-crowding in the mouth. Crowded teeth can cause many problems, the largest being pain.
Other problems include [source]:
- Jaw pain
- Tooth decay
- Teeth moving due to crowding
- Damage to nearby teeth or the surrounding bone
If any of those problems exist, your dentist will recommend the removal of the wisdom teeth. Getting your wisdom teeth removed is a simple outpatient procedure. Most patients recover within 24 hours of surgery. Depending on the complexity and placement of the wisdom teeth being removed, your dentist will use either local, sedation, or general anesthesia.
During the procedure, your dentist will make a small incision in the gum tissue. Typically, the dentist will divide the tooth into pieces for easy extraction. After the teeth are fully removed, the area is cleaned and stitches are used to close up the incision. Gauze is packed into the sides of the cheeks to control bleeding [source].
Patients need to drink plenty of water 24 hours after surgery and only eat soft food. Keeping the mouth clean and the pockets where the teeth were removed clear of food until the wounds are healed is so important. The first few days can be painful, but your dentist will help you manage the pain. Total recovery typically takes two weeks.
Dr. Brady will visit with you if she feels your wisdom teeth are causing crowding and need to be extracted.