Wisdom teeth removal is almost like a rite of passage for most young adults. But do you really need the surgery? Here are five signs it's time to visit your Calgary family dentist.
Wisdom teeth are the molars found at the very back corners of your mouth. They’re typically the last teeth to erupt, with the average patient developing them in their late teens or early twenties.
While for some patients, wisdom teeth may not cause any problems, in many cases, they can become impacted, affecting your natural dental alignment.
Having wisdom teeth removed:
- lowers the risk of periodontal disease, cavities, and plaque buildup.
- prevents damage to nearby teeth.
- protects the natural alignment of your other teeth.
- prevents joint pain that results from cysts and tumors which result from impacted wisdom teeth.
Wisdom Teeth Removal at Marlborough Dental Centre
Our Calgary family dentists can determine whether or not you require a wisdom tooth removal during a comprehensive dental exam. We also offer sedation dentistry, to make all your treatments, including tooth extractions, as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
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5 Signs You Need a Wisdom Tooth Removal
Wisdom tooth removal is one of the most common dental procedures, with nearly 85% of adults getting their teeth extracted to protect their oral health.
Here are some of the reasons why your family dentist might recommend this treatment for you:
1. YOU HAVE PAIN IN THE BACK OF YOUR MOUTH
One of the most common signs that you need your wisdom teeth extracted is pain in the back of your mouth. If you notice any discomfort when you are eating, cleaning your teeth, or just generally throughout the day, you should schedule a dental checkup.
2. YOU ARE EXPERIENCING JAW STIFFNESS
As your wisdom teeth grow, they shift your jaw and the rest of your teeth. That means you’ll experience some major pain in your jaw, and possibly some stiffness. If your mouth pain is extending across your jaw, or you feel like you can’t open your mouth as wide as normal, it might be time to consider wisdom tooth removal.
3. YOU HAVE INFLAMED GUMS
Due to a combination of limited space and partial impactions, wisdom teeth often lead to gum inflammation, which can then cause gum disease or other oral health hazards. Removing your wisdom teeth will reduce the inflammation, and in turn, make it easier for you to clean your teeth.
Do You Need Wisdom Tooth Removal?
4. YOU HAVE SINUS ISSUES
Surprisingly, issues with your dental health can have a huge impact on your sinuses. Problems with wisdom teeth typically lead to sinus:
- Pain
- Congestion
- Pressure
An increase in sinus pain is a sure indicator that you need to visit your Calgary family dentist.
5. THERE ARE CYSTS IN YOUR MOUTH
If you ignore your wisdom teeth for too long, the damage they cause can result in cysts in your mouth. These sacs of fluid can then destroy the surrounding areas, damaging the roots of nearby teeth.
Thankfully wisdom teeth removal, combined with professional dental care, can help heal these cysts.
What Happens During a Wisdom Teeth Removal Process?
Wisdom teeth removal is a surgical treatment to remove one or more of your wisdom teeth. Depending on the complexity of the situation, the procedure typically involves your dentist:
- Making a minor incision to access the tooth.
- Dividing the tooth into sections to make removal easier and to minimize any potential damage to the surrounding bone
- Extracting the tooth
- Cleaning the extraction site of any tooth/bone debris
- Closing the wound to promote healing using dissolvable stitches
- Placing gauze over the treatment site to assist in the formation of a blood clot
The time for the wisdom tooth removal procedure varies according to individual patients. While simple procedures may only take a few minutes, more complex situations will require a longer time period.
Wisdom Tooth Removal Recovery Tips
After getting your wisdom teeth removed, it’s very normal to experience a certain degree of pain and swelling, in addition to some bleeding. However, taking certain steps can help alleviate your discomfort.
Tips For Promoting Healing:
- Do not consume any solid foods, alcohol, hot beverages or cigarettes in the first few days following the procedure.
- Replace your gauze every 20-30 minutes.
- Don’t participate in any rigorous activities for up to 7 days as you don’t want to dislodge the blood clot.
- Take any prescription painkillers to help with the discomfort. The pain should subside fully by 72 hours after the procedure.
- Use an ice-pack on your jaw to help with any pain or swelling.
- Rinse your mouth regularly with warm salt water to keep the extraction site infection-free.
Call Today
To find out more about our pain-free wisdom teeth removal procedures, contact our Calgary family dentists today at 403-248-2066 or fill in our online contact form.
