Everything about pulling this tooth
Wisdom teeth: are they called that because they are far away in the mouth or because they make you smarter? And why do they actually cause so many problems? The least popular pick highlighted.
Humans have room for 32 teeth in their mouths. Wisdom teeth are the last molars that emerge at the back of the mouth. This usually happens between the ages of 17 and 22. This coincides with the moment that adolescents become adults and with increasing age, the mind should also come. Hence the name. However, there are also people without wisdom teeth.
The position in the back of the mouth has therefore nothing to do with the naming. However, it is one of the reasons why many people suffer from their wisdom teeth. They are so far back in the mouth that we have trouble reaching them with the toothbrush. In addition, many people nowadays have narrow jaws, which means that there is not enough space for the wisdom teeth to come through properly.
Get through
Wisdom tooth eruption can be painful. This does not immediately mean that the tooth should be drawn. You can control the pain with paracetamol or ibuprofen. It is also important to brush the gums gently. This prevents inflammation.
Sometimes wisdom teeth only come half through, leaving a piece of gum over the tooth. Such a spot is a source of infections, because food residues easily get stuck under it. Wisdom teeth can also come through tilted or crooked; that often causes problems with chewing.
Do the wisdom teeth remain painful, do the gums become inflamed or do you have difficulty opening your mouth? Then contact the dentist.
Always pulling?
If a wisdom tooth comes through nicely and is easy to maintain, you can leave it in. Wisdom teeth can also have a good function in this way. Especially if you lose teeth, it is nice to still have the wisdom teeth.
You can determine what is best in consultation with the dentist. The dentist will also make regular X-rays (once every two years) to check the condition of your wisdom teeth. Such a photo can help in the choice of pulling or not. For a good recovery, it is better to remove the wisdom teeth before the 25th year.
remove
Sometimes the extraction of a wisdom tooth is an immediate necessity: the tooth then causes a lot of trouble. Wisdom teeth are often removed as a preventative measure to prevent problems. When the tooth is not completely neat, there is an increased risk of inflammation, gum problems, cavities and even a tumor or cyst.
Nowadays, the dentist usually pulls wisdom teeth himself, but if there is a high risk of infection or if the tooth is very deep, for example, you will be referred to an oral surgeon. The shape and position of the molar determine how difficult it is to pull.
Before the treatment, the dentist or oral surgeon will anaesthetize the affected area. The molar is then pulled out with pliers: usually by making a twisting or prying movement. The oral surgeon often uses different tools, because the procedure is more complicated. Preferably, the molar is pulled out in one go; if that doesn’t work, cut it to pieces.
In general, the pulling, after numbing, does not hurt. You may, however, feel slight pressure or shaking during the treatment. The wound is usually sutured with material that dissolves on its own.
After pulling?
The anesthetic wears off after two to four hours. Until then, you should not eat or drink any hot food and it is better not to consume alcohol and cigarettes. It is better to leave the blood clot in the mouth alone. Often there is also some blood coming out of your mouth: this mixes with saliva, making it look more than it is.
It is recommended not to clean the mouth for the first six hours after pulling. Brush your other teeth normally, but do so gently near the wound. The first day, do not rinse too vigorously or suck on the wound.
You can keep the area around the wound clean with an antibacterial mouthwash. Sometimes the dentist or dental surgeon will also give you a cleaning syringe to properly spray out the cavity where the molar used to be.
Pain after treatment
The first days after the treatment can be quite painful. Also, the wound (and your face) may swell slightly or feel uncomfortable. You can safely use the maximum dose of painkillers for the first 48 hours. The amount of after pain varies per person. A slight increase can also occur.
If the pain persists, the swelling does not disappear or if you remain ill for a long time, it is better to contact the dentist. It is also wise to consult with other complications such as a long-term deaf lip or tongue.
