Wisdom Teeth Removal in Fitchburg
Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?
An average adult mouth holds around 28 teeth comfortably, but most adults have 32. These other four teeth are called wisdom teeth, (AKA) third molars. There are different theories as to why we get these extra molars few of us have room for. One reason is that human jaws have gradually grown smaller over the course of history.
Another reason that has gained traction in recent years is the theory of soft food. It proposes that the processed foods we eat nowadays require much less chewing than our hunter-gatherer ancestors. Because we’re chewing less, we stimulate our jaws less, and they don’t grow large enough to accommodate that last set of molars. An increasing number of people don’t even get all four wisdom teeth to begin with — some people don’t get wisdom teeth at all!
Whatever the cause, if there isn’t enough room for the wisdom teeth, they will likely become blocked or impacted by the other teeth around them. They can become extremely painful and traumatizing for the roots of the neighboring teeth. A partially erupted wisdom tooth provides an easy place for food to become trapped in the tissue surrounding the tooth, leading to bacterial growth and possibly severe infections.
Early Adulthood Is the Best Age for Wisdom Tooth Removal
At Watkin Dental Associates, we recommend removing wisdom teeth between the ages of 17 -24, and there’s a reason for that. Our dentists can prevent potential healing problems by removing wisdom teeth when a patient is a young adult. When a person reaches their mid-thirties, there are much higher risks for wisdom teeth extraction.
If you are an adult and need to remove your wisdom teeth, there is no need to worry. At Watkin Dental Associates, we take extra care to ensure that our adult patients are comfortable and anxiety-free.
After an initial consultation, we recommend you continue with your wisdom teeth until intervention is essential. When it is finally necessary to remove your wisdom teeth, the dentist will recommend a simple and pain-free tooth extraction surgery. Your health is our most significant concern.
Do I Need to Get My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
For some people, all four wisdom teeth usually erupt and don’t cause any problems. But wisdom teeth often grow at an angle or stay trapped (impacted) in the jawbone or under the gum tissue. It can cause many problems in the future. You may need your wisdom teeth extracted if:
- – There is dental pain near the back of your mouth.
- – Food and debris get trapped around your wisdom teeth.
- – Gum disease develops around your molars.
- – You have tooth decay in a wisdom tooth.
- – A cyst develops around a wisdom tooth.
Wisdom teeth extraction is usually recommended as a preventive measure. And for this reason, your dentist may suggest removing your wisdom teeth without having any symptoms. It helps reduce your risk for infection and tooth decay later on.
The Procedure
Before your procedure, you will meet the oral and maxillofacial surgeon to go over what to expect for your procedure. They will go over any medications you are taking and answer any questions.
The actual procedure takes an average of about 45 minutes. Depending on the agreed-upon method discussed at your pre-op appointment, your dentist will provide you with either general anesthesia or local anesthesia. Rest assured that you will be numb during the entire procedure and should not feel any pain. At the end of the process, the dentist will stitch up the area and place gauze to stop bleeding in the gum tissue.
Recovery after Wisdom Tooth Removal
Wisdom teeth recovery can take up to two weeks, and you can expect a swollen mouth and cheeks. The swelling will be worse the first couple of days and gradually improve.
Icing your cheeks and face will help with the swelling, and we recommend eating soft foods like pudding and shakes. Staying clear from hard, crunchy, or sticky foods is imperative. Avoid drinking with a straw to prevent dry sockets.
Watkin Dental Associates | Wisdom Teeth Removal in Fitchburg
Wisdom teeth removal is one of the most common oral surgery procedures. It is very routine, but patients are sometimes still nervous before any dental procedure. Patient comfort is one of our highest priorities.
If you have questions about our practice, you can learn more on our business page, and make sure to get directions before you head our way! Wisdom teeth extraction is a standard procedure at Watkin Dental Associates. If you are interested in having a consultation, please call us at (978) 345-6919 or email us.
