Having your wisdom teeth removed is among the most talked-about dental procedures, yet many of us do not know why we grow them, what their function is, and why we need them removed. Continue reading and reach out to our knowledgeable Basking Ridge dental team to learn more about wisdom teeth and how they may be affecting your dental health. Here are some of the questions you may have:
Why do we have wisdom teeth?
Essentially, wisdom teeth served their true purpose years and years ago, back when our ancient ancestors ate diets consisting of harder, rawer materials. Now that we no longer have to break down such tough materials, wisdom teeth have long been rendered virtually useless. Unfortunately, now, when wisdom teeth come in, they are simply an inconvenience, as they often come in on an angle, which frequently causes overcrowding, infections, bone damage, nerve damage, and more. That is why very often, dentists will recommend you have your wisdom teeth removed.
In some cases, individuals will develop impacted wisdom teeth, which can cause very serious issues. Wisdom tooth impaction happens when the jaw bone or other teeth block the tooth from erupting, all while its roots continue to grow, eventually causing severe dental problems, such as intense pain, cysts, tumors, and infections, which often cause people to redden, swell, have bad breath, and more.
Is wisdom tooth removal painful?
Fortunately, depending on whether your teeth are impacted or not, we will either numb your gums or put you under anesthesia to ensure you don’t feel a thing while the surgery is happening. Unfortunately, we cannot promise you that your mouth will not feel sore for the next couple of weeks. Generally, it can take individuals up to two weeks to fully recover from wisdom tooth removal. Some of the symptoms of having your wisdom teeth removed can include an unpleasant taste in your mouth, soreness in your jaw, swollen cheeks, and a few other minor side effects. Fortunately, bleeding should subside within a day of your surgery
This pain is normal, though there are several things you can do to speed up the healing process, including not smoking or drinking alcohol, refraining from doing any strenuous activity, abstaining from hot liquids, and sticking mainly to soft foods until harder foods feel comfortable. Of course, over the counter pain medicines are also an option, such as ibuprofen. For any further questions, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with our dental team.
Contact the Dental Associates of Basking Ridge
Dental Associates of Basking Ridge is a compassionate, gentle, and professional state-of-the-art dental practice serving Basking Ridge, Morris & Somerset County. Our office is always ready to greet our patients with a smile, take the time to answer any questions, and provide the quality dental services our patients expect. Please contact us to schedule an appointment. We look forward to serving you!
