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When it comes to rites of passage for young adults, wisdom tooth extraction may be the one you are looking forward to the least. You can’t be blamed, as you may have heard many horror stories from people who talk about how painful it is or how long it takes to recover.
But before those stories scare you into bearing the pain of your wisdom tooth or putting off the extraction, your trusted local dentist in Waterford shares with you what you need to know about wisdom tooth extraction:
It’s a Common Procedure
Every year, about 10 million wisdom teeth are removed in the US alone. That should tell you that it is not, in any way, a rare dental procedure! In fact, it is among the most commonly done surgical procedures we do at Dental House, too. Almost everyone gets their molars when they are around 17 to 25 years old. Most people get four molars, but few get more than that and even fewer who don’t even grow any.
Keeping Your Wisdom Tooth Is Riskier Than Having It Removed
There is a reason your dentist tells you it’s necessary to take out your wisdom tooth. This is because it can cause some health problems like infections, cysts, gum damage, and affect nearby teeth. More serious complications can even affect vital organs, including the kidney and the heart, but these usually happen only when the tooth is impacted or decayed.
When any of these signs manifest, call your dentist right away to schedule a check-up:
- Jaw pain
- Red, swollen, tender, or bleeding gums
- Swollen jaw area
- Difficulty opening the mouth
When you come for your regular dental appointments, your doctor can catch these symptoms and advise you whether or not you should undergo an extraction.
You’re Not Going to Feel Pain During the Procedure
Since the extraction is performed as a surgical procedure, you won’t feel any pain because you’re going to get local or general anesthesia or get sedated. Whichever your dental surgeon chooses, you still won’t feel pain during your surgery!
The pain and discomfort will come after the surgery is done and when the numbness is gone. However, it’s not going to be unbearable. You will also get a prescription from your doctor for pain relief medication. You may be instructed to stay on a soft diet for a few days until the swelling subsides. You might even miss your favorite crackers, but you’ll surely make the most of the days when you’re allowed to eat ice cream, smoothies, and yogurt, as much as you want!
You Can Help Speed Up Your Recovery
When you get your wisdom teeth extracted, the dental surgeon will provide you with instructions on what you should and shouldn’t do for the first few days or weeks after the procedure. You must follow these instructions so that you can resume your normal activities sooner. Some of the things you will have to avoid include lifting heavy objects and doing physical activities, sipping from straws, smoking, eating hard food, and brushing your teeth vigorously.
Conclusion
There may be instances when wisdom tooth removal is not necessary, and if that is the case with you, you just have to ensure that you take care of your molars like you do your other teeth. But for those people who are experiencing pain or discomfort due to their molars, there may be no getting around an extraction. If that’s where you’re at, you need not fear your dental surgery, as long as you go to a reliable clinic like Dental House.
Whether you require wisdom teeth removal in Waterford or any other dental service, Dental House is here to take care of your needs. Get in touch with us today to set up an appointment or know more about our services!
