Wisdom Tooth Extraction – It’s Not That Scary

If thinking about having to bid your wisdom tooth goodbye worries you that you will be losing wisdom, take heart! Removing a wisdom tooth will not have an effect on your ability to make wise decisions. A majority of individuals worry about the more pressing concerns when it comes to wisdom tooth extraction in Singapore — is it really necessary? How much pain is involved? Will my body be exposed to risks and complications within the process or after having a wisdom tooth pulled out? With the help of Dentaleh – Singapore’s largest dental health publication, this article addresses these questions and more.

First, let us learn more about the wisdom teeth.

Wisdom 1: What Are Wisdom Teeth and Why Are They Called as Such?

The wisdom teeth belong to the three arrays of molars located on the left and right side, as well as at the top and bottom areas of the mouth. Molars can be identified by their location, which is at the very far end of the mouth, and by means of the way they look—large and flat. Molars work as grinders when chewing food.

These molars got their one-of-a-kind title because they usually are the last batch of molars, and teeth generally speaking, to grow during the period when an individual is within the stage of adulthood and are presumed “wiser” when the teeth make their appearance.

Wisdom 2: Is It Necessary to Have Them Extracted?

The human jaw’s dimension varies from person to person. Over the eras, evolution has shown and proved that the human body changed and appears to have gotten smaller as compared to the human beings who first existed. Noticeably, a human jaw has conformed to this change and shrunk in size as well.

The teeth, once all have erupted, can be overcrowded inside the mouth as a result of a jowl that has been reduced in size. On the occasion when the wisdom teeth are to protrude, there is a tendency that the space may be too little or there will be no space at all for it to erupt fully. The chance is high for the tooth to get stuck and be impacted. This can be a problem because an impacted molar can develop cavities when cleaning is not done appropriately. Aside from this, the position in which the molars grow can be wrong. Instead of pushing their way up, they come out sideways. The effect of this can be bad for the existing teeth. This can result to bouts of pain, as well as alter the arrangement of your once straight teeth into a jagged and damaged mess.

Evading this problem is easy. All you have to do is follow the recommendation to have your wisdom tooth taken out beforehand.

Wisdom 3: What Are Red Flags to Look Out for When the Eruption of a Wisdom Tooth Is About to Happen?

Wisdom teeth make their appearance between the age of 17 and 24 years old. The red flags that you should be mindful of indicating that they are about to emerge are the following:

• Bad breath
• Challenges with opening the mouth
• Gums that may be swollen, bleeding, or tender
• Inflammation and pain felt in the jaw area

Wisdom 4: What Are the Indications That A Wisdom Tooth Is Trapped or Impacted?

A wisdom tooth that is either trapped or impacted will create heaviness in the jaw as it cannot push its way out fully. This pressure build-up could provoke headaches. If a person frequently has migraines even before the time the wisdom teeth are to come in, it is advisable to get a dentist’s confirmation if your headaches are triggered by an impacted wisdom tooth in the event that they happen at a point when the symptoms for a developing wisdom tooth manifest. In addition, teeth that are impacted can also be a reason for infections, especially when food debris get caught and are not reached properly when cleaning with the use of a toothbrush and dental floss.

Wisdom 5: What Happens During A When the Wisdom Tooth Is Pulled Out?

Word to the wise: If, after a thorough consultation with the dentist, you have received a recommendation to have your wisdom tooth pulled out, take heed and do it at your earliest convenience. By doing so, your teeth and gums will be spared from the complications that can be induced by one of the last molars that has lost its way and ended up getting trapped inside your gums.

Here’s what to anticipate during the process of extracting a wisdom tooth:

1. The dental surgeon will administer local or general anaesthesia to minimize your any discomfort or pain that may be felt while the tooth removal is underway.
2. The dental surgeon will carry on reaching the location of your wisdom tooth by slicing through the gums, exposing the bone underneath. Sometimes, it may be vital to further cut through the bone to access the entire tooth.
3. All of the wisdom tooth is then taken out and the area where it was once kept is cleaned to avoid infection.
4. Following cleansing, the part in which the incision is present will be sutured and plastered using a gauze to heal.

Wisdom 6: What Should Be Done for Aftercare?

The treated site will be quite sensitive post-extraction. It is vital that the operated location is protected and allowed to heal. Avoid activities that can add pressure in this part that may cause it to rip open. When this happens, the area can be exposed to bacterial infection. Your dental surgeon will provide instructions on the aftercare of your jaw during the weeks of recovery. Be on the lookout for any difficulties, such as bleeding excessively, fever, inflammation, intolerable pain, or numbness. Should you feel any more of these and the discomfort stays for an extended period, call your dental services provider immediately.