Most people have little knowledge about their wisdom teeth thinking about them only when the dentist informs them they need removal. You might think similarly and worry about the jaw swelling and thinking about eating ice cream later. However, there is more to wisdom teeth than you think.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Alternatively called your third molars, wisdom teeth are your last permanent teeth erupting in your jaw during the teens or adulthood. They receive the acronym wisdom teeth because it is thought that teeth appear after you attain wisdom.

When Do Wisdom Teeth Come in?

Your wisdom teeth emerge in your jawbone between 17 and 21, around adolescence or adulthood. Thirty-five percent of adults are born without wisdom teeth. Many have all four wisdom teeth emerging in the corners of their top and bottom jaws when their jaw doesn’t have sufficient space to accommodate them. As a result, many people have impacted wisdom teeth remaining partially hidden under the gum line.

Why Do People Have Their Wisdom Teeth Removed?

When suggested wisdom tooth removal by tooth extraction in Watsonville, CA, you might wonder why you must have the tooth removed. However, many dentists recommend Wisdom teeth extractions only when they notice the tooth is impacted or causes challenges in cleaning your mouth appropriately to prevent dental infections and gum disease.

Dentists recommend wisdom teeth removal to prevent problems later or correct an existing issue. Some issues that can occur when your wisdom teeth erupt include the following:

• Your wisdom teeth may partially emerge through your gums with a flap of gum tissue covering them. Food and bacteria can remain trapped under the flap causing you to have periodontal disease.
• Your jaw might not have sufficient space to accommodate them, ensuring they remain under them to cause impaction.
• Impacted wisdom teeth can cause severe problems, including infections, damage to the neighboring teeth and bone, and cysts.
• More than one wisdom tooth may emerge at awkward angles, with the top surface of the tooth pointing forward, backward, or on either side.

Besides the above, wisdom teeth can cause crowding, tooth decay, and gum disease making it challenging to clean them because of their location. Therefore if you are recommended wisdom teeth removal, kindly do not wonder why do people get wisdom teeth removed. The removal procedure helps eliminate several complications that might confront you if you decide to keep them in your mouth.

Wisdom Tooth Removal Procedure

The dentist in Watsonville takes x-rays of your mouth to identify whether your wisdom teeth are impacted and decides if surgery is needed to remove them. In addition, they might recommend antibiotics if infections exist around the wisdom tooth.

Depending on the severity of your situation, the dentist determines whether you need local or general anesthesia. How many wisdom teeth require removal is also considered during your consultation.

During the surgical procedure, incisions are made by the dentist in your gums to expose the wisdom tooth. The tissue connecting the wisdom tooth and the bone is separated to remove the tooth gently. In some situations, the tooth is cut into sections for comfortable removal. The surgical site is sutured, and a gauze pad is placed to help blood clot formation.

The dentist instructs you on how to protect the surgical site by asking you to refrain from having hot foods and beverages, alcoholic drinks, and elevating your head when sleeping to prevent bleeding in your mouth. In addition, you also receive instructions to rest without indulging in strenuous activity for at least a couple of days.

How Lengthy Is the Wisdom Tooth Removal Process?

Removing a fully erupted visible wisdom tooth takes approximately 35 minutes. Unfortunately, if you have an impacted wisdom tooth, the process requires more time because the bone covering the tooth needs opening, extending the procedure to approximately an hour. However, every situation is not similar and differs between patients.

Wisdom teeth are advised removal as a preventive measure to prevent dental infections and complications later. Therefore if you feel sensitivity in the mouth besides pain and swelling, you may have a problem with your wisdom teeth needing an assessment from your dentist without further delay. Removing the problematic tooth is a better option than enduring unnecessary complications and pain.

Watsonville Family Dental routinely perform wisdom teeth removal procedures on teenagers and adults to help them avoid dental infections and other complications. If you experience pain and swelling in the jaw due to wisdom teeth, kindly consult this practice to have the teeth removed to benefit your dental health.