WHAT ARE THE WISDOM TEETH AND WHY ARE THEY CALLED THAT?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth and are present in the back side of both jaws. They are commonly four in number, and two in the upper and lower jaw. wisdom is the 3rd molar, which is wider in shape and supports chewing foods. 3rd molar is commonly called wisdom teeth because it comes after maturity of 17 to 21 years but there is no correlation between 3rd molar and maturity because in some cases wisdom teeth are missing and not erupted or impacted but individuals are enough mature.
FUNCTION OF WISDOM TEETH
Wisdom teeth are unnecessary because 1st and 2nd molars are enough for food chewing. Jaws develop according to the food we used, our ancestors were taken raw food for that purpose their jaws developed in such a way that they have more space for 3rd molar eruption. With the passage of time jaws adapted according to the processed food and less room for 3rd molar in the mouth; causing difficulty in eruption, improper alignment, jaw bone resorption, caries, and infection in adjacent teeth. Due to these problems, it should be better to pull 3rd molar but if the jaw has enough space and is in the correct alignment on the radiograph, no need to disturb it.
WHEN TO CONSIDER REMOVAL?
- The common reason behind wisdom teeth removal is not enough space in the mouth.
- Abnormal position of wisdom tooth in the jaw that disturbed adjacent tooth and causes jaw bone resorption.
- Cavities easily develop on 3rd molars that involve another tooth during its outbreaking because it takes a long time for the eruption in the mouth and it is difficult to main hygiene because of its backward position.
- An impacted wisdom tooth (remaining under the gums and not visible in the mouth) can cause sack-like cyst formation under the gum that resorbs jaw bone.
HOW ARE WISDOM TEETH REMOVED?
Wisdom can be removed by simple extraction or surgical extraction, Depending upon its position in the mouth, and surrounding tissue. X-ray before removal of wisdom tooth is necessary because it gives all the information about the root and crown of 3rd molar under the jaw before extraction.
In simple wisdom tooth extraction, the tooth is completely out in the mouth, and above the gum line dentist just loses the tooth and removed it under local anesthesia. No need for any surgery and suture. Dentists just place the gauze at the extraction site to control bleeding that can be removed after half an hour.
In a surgical extraction, the tooth is partially or completely impacted (covered with the jaw bone) below the gum line, not visible in the mouth. After the anesthesia, the dentist accessed the tooth with a surgical cut on the gum and bone, remove the tooth, and closed the socket by suturing it. Oral surgeons and skilled dentists can perform this procedure.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING RECOVERY?
- Pain remains for a week after the removal of 3rd molar. Used pain killer, maintain proper oral hygiene brushing, flossing, and antibacterial mouthwashes after 24 hr of wisdom tooth extraction, it will control infection during healing of the socket.
- Blood oozing within 24 hr after surgery. Avoid frequent spitting and mouth rinse within 24 hr after extraction.
- Facial swallowing subsided after one week. ice compress in the initial 24 hrs after the tooth extraction. Use warm salted water the next day of the surgery after 24 hr.
- Difficulty in the complete mouth opening.
WHAT TO AVOID DURING RECOVERY?
- Avoid uses for chewing from the extraction site
- Avoid hot food and drinks, on the same day of surgery it will Prolong bleeding after 48 hr.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol during the recovery of the extraction socket.
- In case of prolonged bleeding after 48hr, Fever, Pus smelling from the socket, or numbness of the lip, or tongue, schedule your appointment with your dentist.