You’ve obviously heard about wisdom teeth and how they can sometimes be a pain (literally). Do you know why they are called what they are called, what they are about, and when and whether they should be removed? In this article, we’ll talk about wisdom teeth in great detail and answer the age-old question: can all of your wisdom teeth be removed at the same time?
Why should you have your wisdom teeth removed?
Typically, your jaw may not be large enough to accommodate your wisdom teeth and they may become impacted, and unable to break through your gums. Your wisdom teeth may break partway through your gums, causing a flap of gum tissue to grow over them. Food and germs can get trapped under the flap, and cause your gums to become red, swollen, and painful.
These are signs of infection. However, more serious problems can result from impacted teeth. These include infection, damage to other teeth and bone, or a cyst. Also, one or more of your wisdom teeth may grow at a deleterious angle, with the top of the tooth facing forward, backward, or downwards.
When should you have your wisdom teeth removed?
We strongly recommend you avoid waiting until your wisdom teeth start to bother you before you decide to remove them. The earlier you remove your wisdom teeth, the less complicated healing process is. Dentists recommend that your wisdom teeth be removed by the time you are a teenager, in order to prevent future problems and to ensure optimal healing. It is normally based on an x-ray of your teeth and clinical exam.
Researchers have found that older patients are at greater risk for disease, including periodontitis, in the tissues surrounding the third molars and adjacent teeth. Periodontal infections can also affect your general health.
Should you remove all of your wisdom teeth at the same time?
This is a million-dollar question, and the short answer is: Absolutely! Removing all four wisdom teeth at once is recommended. It is better to opt only for one surgical procedure instead of multiple ones. Also, the cost of removing all four wisdom teeth at once is less than two to four individual ones. The recovery period after surgery for wisdom teeth removal is a few days.
Why are they called wisdom teeth and why is it necessary?
The third set of molars that most of us have in the back of our mouths are called “wisdom teeth.” They were originally called “teeth of wisdom” in the 1600s and later, “wisdom teeth” by 1848. These molars erupt at age 16 to 22 when we are supposed to be older and wiser than we were in our formative years.
Wisdom teeth are a remnant from our primitive ancestors who needed those four extra molars to help chew their diet of sinewy, raw meat, and tree bark, nuts, roots, and leaves. The introduction of cooking and meal preparation created cuisine that was easier to chew, thus eliminating the need for these molars.
Our brain size has also increased since then, and so, our jaws simply do not have the space for this third set of molars. Most of us have from one to four molars growing at the back of our mouths. However, about 35 percent of Americans do not have any wisdom teeth at all!
What should you do after surgery for wisdom teeth removal?
You should follow certain practices dictated by common sense in the hours and days following surgery for removal of your wisdom teeth. You should change your dressing as it may become soaked with blood; bite down on the gauze in your mouth to help control bleeding; try using an ice pack on the outside of your cheek for the first 24 hours; eat soft foods such as gelatin, soup, and pudding; gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water several times a day to reduce swelling and pain, and continue to brush your teeth and tongue carefully.
If your wisdom teeth are bothering you, consider talking to us. At Harbour Pointe Oral Surgery & Advanced Dental Implant Center, we specialize in the removal of wisdom teeth. In most instances, wisdom teeth are removed under local anesthesia, laughing gas (nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia), sedation or general anesthesia. After the procedure, you will rest under supervision in our office until you are ready to be taken home.
So, if your wisdom teeth are bothering you, do not hesitate to talk to your dentist for treatment. You need a specialist’s opinion and you should get one. Here’s to the perfect treatment for wisdom teeth!
For more information on wisdom teeth and their removal, contact Dr. Brian Hart or Dr. Kathleen Isdith at 425-353-1009 or at hporalsurgery@gmail.com.