Last Updated on January 16, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
Normally, wisdom teeth are only removed when they start causing problems or are likely to do so in the future. There are no medically proven health benefits to removing wisdom teeth. Furthermore, having a wisdom tooth extraction procedure can be uncomfortable and have adverse effects. The focus of this article is on when to call a dentist, the advantages of wisdom tooth removal, and potential complications.
When should a patient schedule a dental appointment for wisdom tooth-related problems?
Please be aware that specific symptoms call for a dental examination. The most common oral health problems that an impacted wisdom tooth can cause are persistent pain and irritation in the back of the mouth, stiffness in the jaw, swollen or bleeding gums, early signs of an oral infection, bad breath, and tenderness in the jaw.
After a thorough examination, a dentist can confirm these symptoms. Infection in the tooth or soft tissue, damage to or shifting of the neighboring teeth, deep cavities, bone loss, gum disease, and even cyst formation are examples of dental findings.
What are the advantages of a wisdom tooth extraction?
Please understand that when one is 18–21 years old, wisdom tooth removal is simple. This is because surgery at this age is quicker and safer. Younger patients have a lower risk of developing post-surgical complications.
There can be several pros and cons of a wisdom tooth extraction. Surgery to remove the tooth itself would eliminate the biggest risk of impacted teeth, which is pain from misalignment. If the wisdom teeth have partially formed or have grown up next to a tooth, it may hurt. Given that they didn’t reach all the way down to the gum line, they might have left some areas where food particles, plaque, and bacteria can accumulate.
Additionally, the removal of wisdom teeth reduces the number of infections that can cause inflammation, pain, and a number of other oral health issues in these spaces. Due to potential cleaning difficulties, impacted wisdom teeth are more likely to develop cavities; thus, their removal could avoid developing deep cavities. Additionally, it might lessen the chance of crowding.
What can be the cons of surgical removal of an impacted wisdom tooth?
A surgical extraction of wisdom tooth can have certain cons too and not just the pros. Postoperative complications can occur in some patients. Surgery frequently results in oral infections and other problems if you use tobacco and are over 25. Due to the nature of the surgery, there may be some post-operative issues like nerve injuries, bleeding, and dry socket.
After the removal of your wisdom teeth, smoking, spitting, and drinking through a straw can have a negative impact on your health and lead to a dry socket. It occurs when blood clots at the site of the extraction dissolve too soon or never form. By doing this, the area is exposed to bacteria and food debris, both of which can be extremely painful. The good news is that, after a few days, the pain quickly subsides.
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