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Wisdom Tooth Removal: What Happens When You Ignore Impacted Teeth For Long?

Havent we all heard the jokes about gaining wisdom on wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the third set of adult teeth to develop in the mouth. They are the last teeth that grow when you are 18-25 years old. Wisdom teeth are found behind your other teeth, and they have roots that grow towards your oral cavity. For many people, the eruption of wisdom teeth may cause complications. Wisdom teeth can become painful for several reasons.

When a wisdom tooth doesnt fully emerge out of gums, it is known as an impacted tooth. They can be very problematic and may lead to worsening your oral health further. Hence, it becomes necessary to remove the impacted teeth. In this blog, we will discuss wisdom tooth removal and what happens when you ignore the impacted tooth for a long time.

Need For Removal Of Wisdom Teeth

If your wisdom teeth arent causing you any trouble and you have good oral health, you can live with them. It isn't necessary to get your wisdom teeth removed if:

Your teeth, including wisdom teeth are healthy and free of cavities
They completely erupted out of your gums
They are positioned correctly and bite properly along with their opposite teeth
You can keep them clean with your daily dental hygiene routine
Able to be cleaned as part of daily hygiene practices

However, in several cases, wisdom teeth dont have sufficient space to grow. This leads to the eruption of wisdom teeth at various angles in the jaw and they arent properly aligned as they grow. Here are some of the problems that you may face when your wisdom teeth dont grow correctly.

The wisdom teeth may remain covered completely with the gums. If the teeth dont emerge normally, they become trapped within your jaw. Also called impacted teeth, it can result in infections or the formation of cysts that can damage your other teeth or supporting bone.

The wisdom teeth can emerge partially through the gums. When this happens, you may develop gum diseases or oral infections. This is because the partially emerged tooth is hard to reach and clean. And so it becomes a site for bacteria and gums. Wisdom teeth can crowd the adjacent teeth. When there isnt enough space for the wisdom teeth to grow, they damage the nearby teeth.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

If our wisdom teeth arent a source of pain and trouble, it doesnt mean that there is nothing wrong. The teeth still could be impacted or stuck. Its also possible that your mouth is too small to make space for new teeth. So if the wisdom teeth emerge in such cases, they may damage the tooth right next to them.

Hence, it is recommended to remove wisdom teeth even if they arent fully erupted. Many dentists suggest removing wisdom teeth at a younger age before the bone and tooth roots are fully developed. As you age, the bones in your mouth get stiffer. That makes your teeth tougher to pull. At a young age, recovery after the surgery is generally faster. This is why some young adults have their wisdom teeth removed before the wisdom teeth cause complications.

If you wait, you could have difficulties after surgery that may include heavy bleeding and fractured teeth, severe numbness, and minor loss of motion in your jaw. These problems could last a few days or a lifetime.

When You Ignore Impacted Teeth

Ignoring impacted teeth for a long time may put your oral health at risk. It can cause several problems, which may include:

Difficulty in brushing your teeth and flossing. Improper hygiene leads to tooth decay and gum infection. When you ignore wisdom tooth pain, it increases the chances of cavities in your teeth.
Growing of infection-causing bacteria. This bacteria can lead to swelling in gums and cause infection. It can be either treated with antibiotics, or oral surgery might be required to remove the gum tissue. If such infections arent treated on time, they may affect the heart, kidneys and other organs as the bacteria can travel through the bloodstream.
Damage to the adjacent teeth. If you feel pain due to wisdom teeth, it indicates that its coming out at an incorrect angle. In such a case, the neighboring teeth get crowded and become out of alignment. It causes permanent damage to the teeth and affects the alignment of your bite.
Development of cyst. When a wisdom tooth stays in the gum, it can result in the formation of a cyst. A cyst, if remain untreated, can cause hollowing of the jaw and can also damage the nerve. It can also make eating, drinking, and swallowing difficult.

Signs Of Impacted Tooth

You may have an impacted tooth if you experience any of the following:

Inflammation, stiffness, or redness around the tooth
Feeling of a tooth poking out from your gums
Pain at the back of your mouth
Bad breath, which could be a sign of bacteria and infection

If you experience any of the above symptoms, its always best to contact your dentist.

Process Of Removal Of Impacted Teeth

Wisdom teeth removal surgery is an outpatient process. It means you dont have to stay at the hospital after the surgery. It is typically performed by a dentist or oral surgeon. For the process, your affordable dentist in New Jersey, will take the X-rays of your jaw to see if wisdom teeth are impacted. In case, the teeth may cause you any dental problem in the future, the dentist may suggest you remove them.

The wisdom tooth removal surgery takes around 45 minutes to complete. The doctor generally gives you anesthesia to manage pain and discomfort. Whether you remain conscious or asleep during the process, depends on the type of sedation used.

The surgery involves the following steps:

Sedation: Sedation allows you to relax during the whole process. For sedation, your dental health professional might provide you Nitrous Oxide, also known as laughing gas. It allows you to be awake and remain relaxed. Another option is intravenous sedation. If such type of sedation is preferred, the assistant will place a needle in your arm and monitor the sedation through the process. IV sedation is generally considered a more comfortable option as youre unlikely to remember the procedure later.
Numbing: The process of sedation is followed by numbing of the wisdom teeth and the tissue surrounding the teeth. A local anesthetic is used for the numbing.
Removing The Tissue: The next step is the removal of any gum tissue that covers the site of the wisdom tooth.
Removing The Bone: It might be possible that the impacted wisdom tooth is completely or partially covered with bone. In this case, a special high-speed hand piece is used to drill and remove the bone that covers the tooth.
Loosening Of The Tooth: When the impacted tooth becomes accessible to the dentist, they will then loosen the teeth up from any connective tissue from the tooth socket, using surgical instruments. The surgeon may also cut the tooth into several sections so that it becomes easier to remove them.
Removing The Tooth: Once the wisdom tooth is completely sectioned and loosened, it can be removed. The dental surgeon will use special surgical tools that are designed to remove the tooth completely.
Stitching: Once the wisdom tooth is removed, the surgeon may add stitches to close up the site. This step is necessary when the dentist feels that the patient will heal better and faster with stitches.

Searching for tooth removal costs near me in New Jersey, will get you ideas about the expenses related to wisdom tooth removal.

Healing After Surgery

The process of healing is different for everyone as it depends on the position of your wisdom teeth, oral hygiene habits, eating habits, and your health before the surgery. It also depends on how properly you follow your doctors post-surgery instructions.

When the instructions are followed, the healing time is around a week, or even less if there arent any complications. During healing after your surgery, you may experience the following

Tour stitches will dissolve within one-week post-surgery.
Swelling around the site may increase till 36-48 hours and then diminish with each day passing by.
New tissues will develop gradually over the next 1-2 months.

It is very important to take special care for the first 24 hours after the tooth removal surgery. You should avoid rinsing your mouth vigorously as it may dislodge the blood clot. You should also avoid using a straw to drink liquids. It is essential that you dont drink alcohol, and don't use a mouthwash containing alcohol. While brushing your teeth, don't brush next to the extraction site and use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Use gentle strokes to clean your teeth.

It is common to experience some pain, swelling, or bleeding in your mouth and cheeks and it may continue for a few days after the surgery. Though the extraction site may take up to six weeks to heal completely, most people can resume their normal activities after a day or two. However, you must avoid any kind of activity that puts stress on the extraction site. You should also avoid smoking, as it delays the healing process.

Your doctor may prescribe you over-the-counter medicine such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil (ibuprofen). You can also put a bag of ice or cold washcloth to control swelling and pain. In some cases, your doctor may also prescribe you medicines such as hydrocodone and oxycodone to manage pain. These medications can be safe if taken as directed for a short period.

Your dentist will also give you suggestions about the things that you should eat after your surgery. The soft tissues in your mouth will remain sensitive for a few weeks after the procedure. Hence, you should start eating soft food items such as mashed potatoes and yogurt. You should avoid food that is spicy, acidic, chewy, and hard, or else it will irritate the tooth removal site. Your dentist will also instruct you to rinse your mouth with warm salt water after meals. Be careful not to dislodge the newly formed blood clots.

Not following the instructions given by your dentist, may result in pain, infection, swelling, dry socket, or any other similar problem. If any of the above symptoms arise, its essential to consult with the doctor.

Dental Care Services

Having your wisdom tooth uprooted can be painful if you do not take good care after the surgery. From the day when you get your tooth removed, till you heal fully, you should take adequate rest. No matter how you feel, you must take all the medications given by your dentist.

The role of your dentist isnt only confined to removing your wisdom teeth and prescribing medications. It is equally important to provide aftercare instructions and treat any problems that you may face during the time of recovery. Hence, you must find a dental surgeon that makes you feel comfortable. To find the top rated dentist, you can search for best dentist near me in New Jersey.

At Jackson Dental, we understand that getting your wisdom tooth extracted can be overwhelming. We also understand that you might have dental anxiety. Hence, we guide you through the whole procedure step by step so that you dont worry thinking about the surgery. We provide patient-centered care in the coziest environment. Our team of skilled experts makes sure that you are comfortable, right from the first visit. We value your time, health, and money and provide you with the most affordable dental care and cheap dentures in New Jersey. We have highly experienced professionals who take care of your dental health at every stage. With modern dentistry, we ensure maximum comfort while you get your dental procedures done. We also provide in-budget dental implants cost near me in New Jersey.

Conclusion

Getting your wisdom tooth extracted may sound scary, but sometimes it becomes essential to ensure that your dental health isnt at risk. Timely removal of the impacted tooth can save you from several dental problems such as pain, gum infections, and tooth decay. Moreover, the surgeons that perform the extraction process perform multiple surgeries in a day. They have expertise and experience in performing successful procedures. All you have to do is take care of your dental health, medications, and eating habits before and after your surgery so that you heal well and get back to your normal daily routine post-surgery. Consult with jackson Dental, the best dental care clinic near me in New Jersey for further queries.