Common Misconceptions About Wisdom Teeth

Health & Medical Articles

Popular lore about wisdom teeth consists of a myriad of misconceptions about the third molars and getting them removed. Wisdom teeth usually appear during the late teens and early twenties. If you have a wisdom tooth that is causing you severe pain, facial swelling, fever, bleeding or other symptoms, your dentist may recommend that you get the molar removed.

However, if you fear getting the tooth extracted because of horror stories you have heard about the procedure, the following guide to common myths about wisdom tooth removal may help to alleviate some of your apprehension.

Getting Wisdom Teeth Removed is Extremely Painful

If you are among the millions of people that suffer from dental phobia, finding out that you need a wisdom tooth pulled may exacerbate your fears of potentially experiencing pain while in the dentist chair. However, dentists can perform the procedure without causing you any significant discomfort or pain by administering local anesthesia.

If your tooth is impacted and is stuck in your gum tissue or you need to have more than one tooth pulled, the dentist may give you a general anesthetic so you will relax and sleep during the procedure.

In addition, dentists can choose from a variety of pain management options to minimize discomfort after the wisdom tooth is pulled, including cold compresses and prescription drugs.

You Will Only Be Able to Eat Milkshakes for Several Days After the Extraction

While your oral surgeon will instruct you to limit your diet to soft foods in the first 24 hours after your wisdom tooth extraction, you should return to a normal diet as soon as possible according to the National Institutes of Health. Other foods you can eat in the immediate aftermath of an extraction include:

  • Yogurt
  • Gelatin
  • Pudding
  • Soup
  • Applesauce
  • Instant breakfast drinks and smoothies
  • Mashed potatoes

If you are not experiencing complications, you can move to eating semi-soft foods, like scrambled eggs, beans and pasta, after 48 hours. Furthermore, chewing can actually help to loosen tight jaw muscles after surgery.

You should steer clear of spicy and hard foods. In addition, you should not use a straw to consume soft foods because the sucking can loosen the blood clot in the extraction area. In addition, do not avoid brushing your teeth after getting a wisdom tooth removed. Simply avoid the brushing over the blood clot.

The Older You Get the More Wisdom Tooth Problems You Will Have

You cannot predict when and if your wisdom teeth will cause you problems. Some people will never experience any problems with impacted wisdom teeth while others may begin suffering from excruciating pain during their teen years.

In fact, the majority of problems caused by wisdom teeth develop before the age of 25. Once you reach 30, the probability of experiencing problems with your wisdom teeth decreases significantly. While it is easier for dentists to remove teeth in younger people, chances are that any problems you have with the third molars after you reach 30 will not be serious enough for you to have them removed.

You Need to Get All of Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

Even if your third molars never emerge or are crooked and crowd other teeth, it does not mean that you should get all of the third molars removed. During your regular dental checkups, your dentist will examine your wisdom teeth and let you know if there are serious problems that warrant extraction.

In the meantime, you can live your life without worrying about unsubstantiated myths about needing to get all of your wisdom teeth removed. Furthermore, the wisdom teeth can be useful for helping you chew food. For more information, contact a local dentist that specializes in wisdom teeth removal

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30 December 2014

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