Stuart Ave Dentists

Have you heard of wisdom teeth? If they had to take them out or told you that it would be better to get them out, they certainly would. But surely you do not know why they are called that and neither, why your dentist thinks (or decided) that it is (or was) better to extract them. Here we tell you those details and more about the wisdom teeth.

Teeth come out when we are still children. However, “wisdom teeth” are the last teeth to come out and occupy their position in the mouth. They do it around the age of 18, when we are supposed to have more judgment or wisdom than when we were children. That’s where his name comes from.

The wisdom teeth are two on each side of the upper jaw and two on either side of the lower jaw or jaw. When they come out healthy and properly aligned, these molars are a valuable contribution to the mouth. However, it is very common for the wisdom teeth to come out crooked: sometimes they come out horizontally or at an angle where they press on other molars or the jaw bone. When they leave that way they can tighten the structures in the mouth, damaging neighboring teeth (make them more prone to decay and plaque), jaw and even nerves. In these cases it is necessary to remove them.

It also happens that the wisdom teeth can come out partially, which makes them prone to cavities and other diseases because they are difficult to reach with brushing and dental floss, which causes bacteria to accumulate. This happens because they do not have enough space in the mouth to come out completely.

Your dentist or your oral / maxillofacial surgeon will determine if you need to get your wisdom teeth through an x – ray. Sometimes you may decide to take them out before they cause problems.

Of course, it is not always necessary to get rid of the wisdom teeth. This happens if:

• Your teeth are healthy
• They left completely
• Positioned correctly
• You can clean them in your daily oral hygiene routine

If you remove the wisdom teeth, the surgeon will anesthetize you around the area where the molars are. The duration of the procedure depends on the condition of your molars – if they were completely removed or if they are causing problems to other molars or maxillary bone – and requires rest for recovery. Usually, during the first 24 hours after surgery, you can expect the following:

• Bleeding could be abundant during the first few hours. It is recommended that you put a clean and damp gauze in the cavity and that you bite firmly. Apply constant pressure for at least 45 minutes. A good alternative is to use a wet tea bag. Tea’s tannic acid helps clots to heal the wound. Do not take anything with a straw or cigarette, avoid hot drinks and but if the bleeding continues in abundance and does not stop, call your surgeon immediately.
• Inflammation (swelling) It occurs on the face, around the area where the molars were removed (removed). To reduce swelling, apply a piece of ice wrapped in a cloth on the part that is swollen for a period of 10 minutes. Remove it for 20 minutes and repeat (several times).
• Pain medications acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) can help relieve pain.
• Maybe your dentist or surgeon prescribed antibiotics you before you out the wisdom teeth to treat or prevent infection. You must continue taking them until you directed.
• You should limit your diet to liquids only until the anesthesia has finished its effect.
• Brush your teeth, but avoid touching those that are very close to the teeth that you extracted. Do not use mouthwashes because they may irritate you. Instead use a warm water rinse and salt when 24 hours have passed after your surgery.

If you have stitches in the wound and are not those that dissolve on their own, your dentist or maxillofacial surgeon should remove them in about a week.

Remember that removing the wisdom teeth is not necessary for everyone and if it is necessary to remove them, it is not the same from one patient to another. Check with your dentist or surgeon to find out what is best for your particular case.