Wisdom Teeth Removal: Why Is It Necessary?
The old saying goes that if you have wisdom teeth, you are by nature a wise person. The reality is that the wisest move for most people with wisdom teeth is to have them removed altogether. The third molars have been a dental issue for thousands of years; even the Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote about the "great pain" they can cause.
In most people, between one and four wisdom teeth emerge at some point during their late teens and early adult years, though not everyone will have wisdom teeth. For those that do, wisdom teeth removal is often recommended and there are good reasons for this.
In this blog post, the expert team at byte Dentistry & Orthodontics, your leading dentist in Houston, TX, will take a closer look at wisdom teeth and why removal is recommended. Let's get started!
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
There are several body parts that, today, serve no function. These include the appendix, the palmaris longus muscle in the arm, the third eyelid, the coccyx, and wisdom teeth.
Modern humans do not require the same powerful jaws as our ancestors as our diets have gradually changed toward cooked grains and smaller foods. What's more, our jaws today are smaller and we aren't able to fit all of our wisdom teeth properly. There is often only room in a person's mouth for 28 teeth; between one and four extra wisdom teeth can result in overcrowding.
For our distant ancestors, it is believed that wisdom teeth served as replacement teeth. Because, as noted above, modern humans tend to eat foods that are soft (and oral hygiene has improved), the likelihood of losing teeth is lower.
The bottom line is that wisdom teeth serve little to no purpose for humans and they cause far more harm than good. Let's take a look at some of the issues that wisdom teeth can cause.
Why Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Needed?
There isn't any set rule that says that wisdom teeth must be removed, particularly if there is sufficient space within the mouth. However, many people do opt to have their wisdom teeth removed, either due to complications or as a preemptive step to avoid the possibility of future issues.
Tooth pain is a common complication associated with wisdom teeth. Experiencing pain in the back of the mouth is often a sign that wisdom teeth are emerging. This pain often starts as intermittent and mild and occurs on and off over months or years.
Gradually, the pain will increase (often due to teeth pressing on nerves) to the point where chewing or speaking can be difficult. Another associated complication is swelling and redness in the gums around the wisdom teeth.
In some cases, wisdom teeth can become impacted. This can occur if other teeth and the jaw bone prevent wisdom teeth from coming in, causing them to remain trapped below the gum line. This can cause severe pain.
Oral infections can also occur as a result of emerging wisdom teeth, as bacteria can become trapped in the gums. Along with pain, redness, and swelling, signs of an oral infection include a foul taste in the mouth, bad breath, and tenderness in the jaw.
Shifting teeth is another complication of emerging wisdom teeth. When there isn't enough space in the mouth, other teeth can be shifted out of place, leading to a crooked or misaligned smile.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms related to wisdom teeth, schedule an appointment with our team.
What to Expect With Wisdom Teeth Removal
The surgery to remove wisdom teeth typically takes around 45 minutes or less. General, IV sedation or local anesthesia will be used so that you do not feel anything during the surgery. Depending on the type of anesthesia used, you will be either numb or asleep.
Depending on the nature of the case, the gums or bone may need to be cut to remove the wisdom teeth. In this event, the wounds will be stitched shut so that they heal quickly. After a few days, these stitches will dissolve.
Following the surgery, your immediate recovery will depend on the type of anesthesia you received. It is usually recommended that you arrange for someone to drive you home.
You may experience some mild discomfort and swelling for a few days after the surgery, though there should be little to no pain. It should take a few weeks for the mouth to completely heal.
To speed up your recovery, it can help to apply an ice pack to the face or curb swelling. It is also advised that you drink plenty of fluids and stick to soft foods such as group, rice, and pasta. You can resume brushing your teeth the second day after your surgery.
Wisdom Teeth Removal: The Bottom Line
Not everyone gets wisdom teeth and not everyone with wisdom teeth will experience problems. However, for many people, it is better to remove them—either preemptively or due to the complications listed above.
If you are suffering from wisdom teeth pain or would like to learn more about wisdom teeth removal, speak to our team at byte Dentistry & Orthodontics. We are a boutique practice providing services of the greatest value for our patients' budgets.
Contact us today and
request an appointment at our clinic on 5578 Weslayan Street, Houston, TX. We look forward to speaking with you.
713-715-4498
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