Removing or not removing your wisdom teeth is a question of concern. Wisdom teeth are your final molar sets that grow during early or late adult tooth development. Because of how different your jaw grows, wisdom teeth do not often fit properly beyond the other set of molars. As a result, they lack enough room to grow and become blocked or impacted below your gum line, thus pushing the other teeth to fit in. For this reason, oral surgeons recommend the removal of wisdom teeth before their emerging structure can tamper with the existing one. However, most dentists recommend their patients retain their wisdom teeth to avoid complications associated with their removal and instead be under close observation.
Removing wisdom teeth is a standard surgical process that often goes well. Wisdom teeth are only removed if they have problems or are likely to have in the coming years. There are no proven benefits of removing wisdom teeth that don’t cause complications.
Wisdom teeth don’t break over the gums in many people. At least a significant percentage of adults globally have wisdom teeth that haven’t broken. This mainly occurs in the lower jaw because the jaw doesn’t have enough space. Complications associated with removing wisdom teeth include bleeding, swelling, and jaw numbness. Several ways to reduce or prevent these complications include notifying your dentist of any noticeable issues and following the dentist’s care guidelines.
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When is it Ideal to Remove Wisdom Teeth?
The best time to remove your wisdom teeth depends on whether they are causing problems or will in the future. Getting answers to the questions below is vital before removing your wisdom teeth.
- Are your wisdom teeth causing damage and pain near your mouth or jaw?
- Are wisdom teeth hindering the growth of other teeth?
- What are the risks associated with surgery?
People with smaller jawbones and crooked front teeth often wonder whether their teeth may be tampered with when their wisdom teeth grow off the gum. Even though it may be true, that is not always the case. Patients can leave their wisdom teeth intact if they do not impact other teeth.
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Potential Risks Associated with Removing Wisdom Teeth
1. Dry Socket
Blood clots form at the extraction site after the removal of wisdom teeth. This is helpful during the healing process of your mouth. A dry socket happens when the blood clot dislodges, and the nerve under your gum gets exposed to food debris and air. This may also result in Dental abscesses.
Researchers found that a small percentage of people experience dry sockets after wisdom teeth removal. The National Health Service notes that dry socket occurs three to four days after removal of wisdom teeth. Its symptoms include sharp or throbbing pain in the extraction area. You must contact your dentist if you experience a throbbing or sharp pain around the extraction place.
2. Swelling and Pain
Swelling and pain are typical after wisdom teeth removal for the first two to three days. Researchers discovered that all patients with wisdom teeth removal typically experience swelling and pain. Your oral surgeon or dentist may recommend over-the-counter medication or prescription pain relievers. If you experience severe pain after a few days, contact your doctor; they may schedule an examination.
3. Nerve Damage
In rare cases, the removal of wisdom teeth can lead to nerve damage. This can result in numbness, tingling, or a loss of sensation in the affected area. While nerve damage is usually temporary, it can sometimes be permanent.
Nerve damage is a potential complication of wisdom tooth removal. When nerve damage occurs, the patient may experience tingling, numbness, or other sensations in the areas controlled by the damaged nerve. Although nerve damage is often discussed before wisdom tooth extraction, this complication is extremely rare.
4. Lip Numbness
Lip numbness is a rare complication, but it’s possible. According to the NHS, if your surgeon damages a nerve during wisdom teeth extraction, it can cause lip or jaw numbness. The numbness is often temporary but may be permanent if the nerve has severe damage.
Your surgeon or dentist will take you through all the common complications associated with wisdom teeth extraction and the recommended ways of minimizing their risks, including taking care of the extracted area to help it heal well. Contact your doctor’s office for after-care instructions if you are concerned about wisdom teeth removal’s side effects.
Wisdom teeth extraction occurs under local anaesthesia. Your doctor may also use general anaesthesia for a more comprehensive process.
5. Partial Mouth Opening
After a lengthy wisdom teeth extraction procedure, you may experience temporary discomfort or restriction during mouth opening. If jaw stiffness prolongs, your dentist may prescribe specific pain medication, heat therapy, and muscle relaxants.
6. Sinus Problems
If your upper wisdom teeth are close to your sinuses, there is a small risk of developing sinus problems after the procedure. This can include sinus pain, congestion, or even a sinus infection.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Congestion | Feeling of stuffiness or blockage in the nose |
| Pain | Pressure or discomfort around the cheeks, eyes, or forehead |
| Post-nasal drip | Sensation of mucus dripping down the back of the throat |
| Runny nose | Nasal discharge that is watery or thick |
| Loss of smell | Reduced or complete loss of the ability to smell |
| Bad breath | Unpleasant taste or odor in the mouth |
| Cough | Coughing, especially at night |
| Fatigue | Feeling tired or low energy |
| Fever | Elevated body temperature |
Please note that these symptoms can vary in severity and may not all be present in every case of sinus problems.
7. Excessive Bleeding
It is normal to bleed eight to twelve hours after wisdom teeth extraction because blood clots take time before forming in the extraction area. Your oral surgeon or dentist will give you guidelines on reducing bleeding, including using salt water to rinse your mouth or avoiding smoking and eating soft food.
How to Handle Pain after Wisdom Teeth Removal
Most people use pain relievers after the procedure. In most cases, your doctor gives you a painkiller before the operation. Both paracetamol and ibuprofen are effective for relieving pain after wisdom teeth extraction. Other medications like aspirin are not effective before or after the procedure as they may increase bleeding risks.
According to researchers, 400mg of ibuprofen works better than 1000mg of acetaminophen to relieve pain. However, their combination relieves pain better, and its effect is long-lasting. One should take this combination after every eight hours to avoid taking the maximum dosage of the drugs. Adults are recommended to take 80 to 1200 mg of ibuprofen and 4000 mg of acetaminophen daily.
Your doctor may also give you bromelain enzymes to reduce pain and inflammation around the extraction site. However, more research is needed on this drug to prove its effectiveness and impact. Several days after the extraction of wisdom teeth, placing an ice pack on your cheek effectively reduces swelling.
Avoid drinking hot drinks and fruit juices, eating complicated meals, and smoking for the first couple of days, as it may slow down the process of healing. Drinking lukewarm tea and still water is suitable. Consuming not-too-hot food and soup such as pasta, potatoes, and fish is appropriate as you will use your tongue to crush it easily.
Avoid strenuous physical activities such as visiting a sauna or sports for the first few days after removing your wisdom teeth. These activities may slow down the process of healing.
FAQs
Why do my wisdom teeth need to come out?
Why can’t my dentist take my wisdom teeth out?
What happens if I don’t have my wisdom teeth taken out?
How long does it take to recover from wisdom teeth removal?
What can I do to minimize pain and swelling after the procedure?
