Why Extracting Wisdom Teeth Can Be a Good Idea

All You Want To Know About Wisdom Teeth Removal

Why Extracting Wisdom Teeth Can Be a Good Idea

Why Extracting Wisdom Teeth Can Be a Good Idea

In most people, wisdom teeth will become a problem. They often grow in at a steep angle, or nearly horizontal, and do not have enough room to reach their full size, causing problems with neighboring teeth. Other cases may involve a wisdom tooth that has become infected, and when that happens, wisdom tooth removal by an oral surgeon becomes necessary. 

Wisdom teeth often cause problems with other teeth, which is why getting wisdom teeth out becomes necessary. Not everyone is born with wisdom teeth, and when that happens, they never have to worry about it. 

 

What is wisdom teeth removal?

Wisdom teeth removal means taking the wisdom tooth or teeth out. Many times, not all wisdom teeth need to be removed. This is a dental surgery that is usually performed by an oral surgeon, rather than a regular dentist. 

The reason for this is because taking out wisdom teeth can be a complicated process. The wisdom tooth may be partly or even completely encased in bone, but it can still become infected. Another possible problem is that the roots may be near the nerve that runs through the jaw (lingual nerve) and surgical precision is needed from a more experienced dentist – an oral surgeon. 

 

Who should go for wisdom teeth removal procedure?

The placement of the wisdom teeth will vary with each individual. While some people will need surgery to have them all removed, others may only need one or two taken out. They are usually the last permanent teeth to grow in and they typically appear sometime between 17 and 25. 

When a wisdom tooth does not have enough room to grow, it is called an impacted wisdom tooth. This can happen when the tooth does not grow properly or in the right direction. It may grow horizontally, toward the back part of the mouth, or even be upright but not break through the bone. 

Besides being painful, an impacted wisdom tooth can cause a number of problems. It can:

  • Become infected
  • Lead to periodontal disease
  • Become decayed
  • Damage a nearby tooth
  • Develop a cyst around the tooth
  • Move other teeth out of alignment

As wisdom teeth come in, some symptoms may be experienced. These may include:

  • Pain
  • Painful to chew food
  • Face or jaw pain
  • An earache
  • Increased sensitivity to hot or cold
  • A sore throat
  • A headache. 

There are also some other symptoms that may indicate a problem with wisdom teeth. When these occur, immediate treatment is necessary. They include:

  • A fever
  • Swollen gums around the wisdom tooth
  • An abscess
  • Swelling in the jaw that makes it difficult to open the mouth. 

 

Wisdom teeth removal procedure

Before you have a wisdom tooth extraction, you will be asked to fast for at least six hours prior to the appointment. Not following this guideline could lead to nausea and vomiting when the anesthesia is applied. You will be asked about it, and, if you did not follow it, the appointment will be rescheduled. Various types of anesthesia can be given, ranging from local to general. One or more wisdom teeth can be removed at the same time. It is not uncommon to remove all four – usually under general anesthesia. 

In many cases, the wisdom tooth will be broken into pieces, and then the pieces will be removed. In some cases, the gums will need to be cut first, and then some of the jaw bone removed to get access to the tooth. 

Medication will be given to prevent infection and to minimize the pain you might otherwise feel afterward. When the patient is of a minor age, a parent will need to be present and will have to watch the young person for the remainder of the day.

 

Recovery and aftercare

After wisdom teeth surgery, the dentist will provide some gauze pads for you to place on the site of the extracted tooth. This will need to stay on the site for at least half an hour. During that time, a clot should have formed. If it has not formed in the first 30 minutes, it should be repeated. Some swelling is to be expected, and it can occur around the mouth, cheeks, and eyes. The amount depends on how extensive the surgery was. Ice packs can be placed where the swelling occurs. Medication will be given for pain after the anesthetic has worn off. Antibiotics are also likely to be prescribed.

Care needs to be taken not to dislodge the blood clot over the site because this may permit a dry socket to form. This means you should not brush your teeth, floss, or swish water in your mouth. Avoid smoking, which can delay healing. 

It is not unusual for there to be a sore throat or pain in your jaw for two or three days. It should subside after that. Call the dentist if pain continues longer than that.

 

How much does it cost for the wisdom teeth removal procedure?

Calculating the wisdom teeth removal cost depends on what needs to be done to extract them. On average, it is likely to cost $75 to $200 per tooth. If there is an impacted wisdom tooth, this will likely cost $200 to $500, but it will also depend on the type of anesthesia used. Removing all four wisdom teeth may cost around $1,600. Dental insurance will often pay between 25 to 50 percent of the cost. 

 

If you live in the Farmers Branch TX area and need wisdom tooth removal, Champion Dental clinic . We regularly perform teeth extractions and many other dental services. For more information about our services, or to set up an appointment, visit our website 

Dental Health for Young Adults

Why young adults need ongoing dental care

People of every age have certain dental needs and each group requires some unique dental care. The nature of the oral cavity changes over the years. For young adults between the ages of 19 to 24, who has just left home to live on their own, or are in a college dorm or military barracks, you should know that if your teeth are going to stay healthy, you need to be aware of those changes and the dental care needed to meet them. 

 

Dental care for young adults

Developing Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Failing to take care of your teeth properly can ruin your smile quickly. Not only will it lead to cavities, but it will also lead to gum disease – which can be costly to repair. A lack of good oral hygiene is the main cause of the development of gum disease. You can help prevent dental problems by developing a habit of brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time and flossing – preferably before you go to sleep.

After you eat sweets or anything with sugar or acid in it, you should rinse your mouth out with water afterward. Avoid brushing your teeth after consuming these foods for at least 20 minutes because the acid softens your enamel and brushing them too soon can cause tiny pieces of enamel to break off. 

Cavities

Cavities are caused by the acid that is naturally found in your mouth. While still small, getting a cavity filled is a simple task – and inexpensive. If not treated, it will lead to a sensitive tooth, and then it may require a dental crown or you may need a tooth extraction. If it is extracted, it will require a dental implant and a dental crown, or a dental bridge, replace it – very expensive. 

You have several choices of materials when you get dental fillings. White fillings are very popular today because they help your teeth to look healthy and no one will know you needed one. They will last between five to seven years. Amalgam fillings are cheaper but they will last a long time.

Wisdom Teeth

You can expect your wisdom teeth to come in between the ages of 17 and 25. They may or may not be a problem, but having a dentist check your wisdom teeth and their position is a good idea. An x-ray will need to be taken and the dentist will be able to tell if they can be left alone or if one or more should be removed. Wisdom teeth can come in sideways, be impacted (buried in bone), and cause other problems such as developing an infection or gum disease. It is best, and safer, to have a wisdom tooth extraction before age 25 because it becomes more complicated as you get older.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is a problem that starts small but can quickly become a very big and expensive dental problem. The first symptoms of gum disease are gums that are inflamed and bleed when you brush or floss them. With regular daily brushing and flossing, you can eliminate it at this stage. 

If your oral hygiene does not improve, it will become periodontitis – a much more serious problem. Gum disease is caused by bacteria in your mouth that get out of control. It gets into your gums through the tartar (hardened plaque) on your teeth. The acid irritates the gums and starts an immune reaction that will not stop until treated by a dentist. 

The symptoms of periodontitis include receding gums, spaces developing between your teeth, pus at the gum line, pain when you bite, loose teeth, and your teeth may even fall out. These symptoms occur because your immune system attacks your gums, the support structures for your teeth, and the jawbone. 

Eating for Healthy Teeth

It can be easy to live off of fast food between these ages. If you are in college, you naturally want something easy to fix or obtain because time is always an issue. The problem with this is that your teeth need healthy foods to be able to fight off gum disease and cavities. 

Several types of food will ruin your teeth quickly. If you eat a lot of foods that are high in sugar, it will promote the growth of the bacteria in your mouth that cause cavities and gum disease. Since the bacteria feed on sugar, drinking sodas and specialized coffees all day will quickly make the matter worse. 

In addition to sugar, sodas and fruit juices also contain acid. Along with the acid from the bacteria, it will erode the enamel faster and cause cavities sooner. The acid also demineralizes some of the minerals out of the enamel. Eating a healthy diet helps to remineralize your teeth with the needed minerals and keeps them strong. If you have spots on your teeth that are chalky white, your teeth are demineralizing faster than they are remineralizing. which means tooth decay has started. 

Smoking

Lighting up that cigarette is going to do more than stain your teeth. Nicotine also reduces the flow of blood in your gums, which also reduces the effectiveness of your gum’s immune system to fight off gum disease and oral cancer. Many people who smoke or use tobacco products have gum disease and they have it worse than people who do not smoke.

Smoking and Teeth

Alcohol

Alcohol will also hurt your teeth. Red wine will stain them, and alcohol, in general, will dry out your mouth. Your saliva will normally help to reduce the acid and bacteria on your teeth, but a dry mouth enables more bacteria and acid to develop above normal levels in your mouth.

Women’s Issues

When young women are going through their period or are pregnant, there are changes taking place in the hormone levels that will affect their teeth and gums. You may develop gum disease during these occasions and dental visits are recommended (especially when pregnant) to keep it under control. 

dental surgeon for young adults