A common dental procedure that many people have heard about or need themselves is having wisdom teeth removed. There are a variety of videos of people after they’ve had their wisdom teeth removed behaving in a goofy manner after the procedure. The internet seems to light up with these videos.
While viewers get a good laugh at these videos or have heard of this common procedure, many people still don’t understand why wisdom teeth need to be removed or what to really expect after the procedure.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
When people refer to wisdom teeth, they are referring to the third set of molars that generally appear between the ages of 17 and 21. These teeth emerge behind the existing molars on both sides of the upper and lower jaw. Wisdom teeth can be helpful for chewing food, but when they become painful or cause problems the best solution is to have them removed.
The Types of Problems Causing Wisdom Teeth To Be Removed
If your wisdom teeth can help you chew, you might be wondering why you would need to have them removed. Wisdom teeth that are healthy and have grown in completely, often don’t need to be pulled.
For many people, that simply isn’t the case, however. Wisdom teeth that don’t have enough room to grow can grow in at an angle and cause problems. Three common problems that can require wisdom teeth removal are as follows.
- Impacted Wisdom Teeth. Wisdom teeth that fail to emerge completely and become trapped often require removal. Wisdom teeth that are impacted can cause swelling and pain along the gums and jaw.
- Infections Around Wisdom Teeth. Wisdom teeth that are partially or fully impacted can become a breeding ground for bacteria and cause painful infections. Some people will even develop cysts around their gum line and the surface covering their wisdom teeth.
- Wisdom Teeth That Cause Alignment Issues. In some cases, wisdom teeth that don’t have room to grow in straight will push through sideways and crowd the surrounding teeth. This overcrowding can push and damage healthy teeth and mess up the overall alignment of your teeth.
What to Expect After Having Your Wisdom Teeth Removed
You may be wondering how difficult the healing will be after having your wisdom teeth removed, especially after seeing videos of people on strong medication. While having wisdom teeth removed is one of the most common dental procedures, it still can require a measure of anesthesia. Not all patients opt for general anesthesia, but will often get numbing shots and painkillers.
The first 24 hours after having your wisdom teeth removed, your mouth may be swollen, painful, or bruised, but those feeling generally subside to general soreness in just a few days. In fact, the average person returns to work 1 to 2 days after having their wisdom teeth removed.
Having your wisdom teeth removed may be a necessary part of keeping your mouth healthy, but it doesn’t have to be scary. If you’re unsure about whether your wisdom teeth could cause problems down the line or need to be removed, the best option is to stop in for your regular dental check-ups. Give The Gentle Dentist a call today at (586) 247-3500 to schedule your appointment!