If
you are someone who is about to have their wisdom teeth removed, you probably
have many questions swirling around in your brain (besides "why
me?"). You might be wondering why we even have teeth that are taken out
almost as soon as they come in, why they have to be removed at all, and how
your cousin, Gertrude, avoided having wisdom teeth removal surgery
altogether.
What
Are Wisdom Teeth?
For
most people, their wisdom teeth start coming in when they are about 16, but
they can come in as late as the age of 25.
Scientists
think that wisdom teeth are left over from the days of our early ancestors.
With diets that were less than friendly to teeth and a lack of proper dental
hygiene, it was common for early humans to lose teeth by the time they were in
their late teens or early 20s. Wisdom teeth were a way for early humans to make
up for some of the teeth they may have lost, to ensure that they could eat and
survive.
Interestingly,
about 35 percent of people nowadays don't ever have wisdom teeth that
develop—this is a good indication that modern man no longer needs wisdom teeth
to survive, and that there may come a day when no one develops them at all.
Why
Do Wisdom Teeth Have to Be Removed?
Your
dentist might recommend that your wisdom teeth come out if they are impacted,
which means that the tooth is not coming through the gum correctly. It might be
erupting at an angle that is going to cause harm to other teeth, or it might be
rubbing up against the cheek.
Even
if your incoming wisdom teeth aren't causing you pain and don't seem to be developing
in a way that will harm your other teeth, your dentist might recommend that
they be removed. Many dentists feel that leaving wisdom teeth in is just asking
for infection, since bits of food are hard to remove way back there, even with
good brushing and flossing habits. These infections can be very painful and
even dangerous to the patient's health. The bacteria that build up in such a
case may lead to gum disease or worse—it is possible for the bacteria to get
into the bloodstream and cause an infection that affects the heart or other
organs.
If
a wisdom tooth is not extracted, a cyst or tumor may develop around the tooth
and cause problems for the jaw, nerves, or other teeth.
With
all of these scenarios, you might figure it is best to just get your wisdom
teeth taken out. However, if they are not causing you any pain, and your
dentist believes the teeth and the gums look healthy, you might be able to
avoid the extraction procedure. Of course if you decide to keep them, your
dentist will want to keep a close eye on them.
What
to Expect Before, During, and After Surgery
An
oral or maxillofacial surgeon will probably be the one who will be removing
your teeth. Before the surgery, the doctor should explain the procedure to you,
and answer any questions you have. One thing the doctor will discuss with you
is your anesthesia choice—either general or local anesthesia or intravenous
sedation.
Usually
the teeth can be extracted right there in the doctor's office. You should make
sure that a friend or family member is there to drive you home.
Once
you get home, make sure you follow your doctor's instructions to take care of
yourself and your mouth. Your doctor will probably prescribe medication to help
ease any pain. You can use cold compresses to reduce swelling. It probably goes
without saying that you should eat soft foods such as ice cream and mashed
potatoes. You might also need to make sure you have a couple of days where you
get to stay home and rest.