Thing You Should Know Before Getting Your Wisdom Teeth Out
Wisdom teeth are our third molars that normally emerge when we are in our late teens or early twenties. They are usually the last permanent teeth to appear, although not all wisdom teeth emerge. When a wisdom tooth does erupt, it can grow the wrong way and cause complications. When that happens, it is called an impacted tooth.
An impacted tooth can take different forms. Examples include:
- Wisdom teeth that are not yet fully erupt
- Stuck below the surface of the gums
- Emerging out of alignment
When Does It Become An Issue?
Wisdom teeth tend to force their way into spaces that are not meant for them. They create alignment issues when they push neighbouring teeth away from their original positions. This will upset the balance of your teeth’s natural growth and lead to dental ailments like infection and bone damage.
Most people only find out about their wisdom teeth after experiencing the painful symptoms. However, the best time to evaluate the condition of your wisdom teeth is in your late teens. You may avoid the effects of wisdom teeth in your youth only for them to erupt later on in life. As you age, your tooth roots grow deeper and the bone surrounding the tooth becomes denser. This makes it more difficult to remove your wisdom tooth and post-removal healing would take longer as well.
Of course, if you are experiencing symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth, you should not delay but get it checked by a dentist. Besides pain in the jawbone or pain from an infection, here are some of the symptoms you may look for:
- Swelling of gums
- Swollen lymph nodes under the jaw
- Bad breath
- Jaw stiffness
- Headaches
Using advanced diagnostic equipment, a dentist is in the best position to evaluate your condition and advise whether an extraction is the optimum solution.
Important Post-Operative Tips
As important as the wisdom teeth removal procedure is, you should also make sure that your post-extraction healing process is as comfortable as possible. The following are some of the important post-operative things to take note:
- Get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous exercise in the first 24 hours following the surgery
- Drink plenty of fluids as it promotes faster healing
- Avoid rinsing your mouth in the first 24 hours as it might interfere with the blood clot formation
- Avoid smoking for at least 3 days prior to and following the surgery, as it increases infection risk
- Begin with a soft diet with foods like pudding and mashed potatoes, gradually returning to your normal diet after a few days
Check Out The Special Offers At Face Value Dental
At Face Value Dental, we provide safe and effective removal of your wisdom teeth in a clinically safe environment so as to minimise any cross-infection risks. Eligible patients can redeem our wisdom teeth check up offer for $99, please see our Special Offers page for the full description.
If you are new to our clinic and wish to evaluate your wisdom teeth condition, you can also redeem our special No Gap New Patient Offer. This exclusive offer includes a comprehensive examination, x-rays, treatment planning and digital imaging services. You will also receive a professional clean, polish and fluoride treatment as part of your important routine dental check-up.
If you are aged 17 and above, this offer presents an excellent opportunity to check up on your wisdom teeth to pre-empt any future complications. There are no known benefits to keeping your wisdom teeth yet they present a high risk of complications. Perhaps it’s time to get rid of them before they become a cause for concern.
To book a consultation with one of our friendly dentists at Face Value Dental, call (07 3221 0677 today.
*Please visit our Special Offers page for Terms and Conditions.