Every year, around 5 million people have to get their wisdom teeth removed for a number of reasons. Wisdom teeth are also called third molars. Molars are the four teeth that grow in the back corners of a person’s mouth. Most people’s wisdom teeth come in at ages 17-25, and problems usually occur as the teeth are coming in during teenage years. Some of the problems can include:
Jaw damage - Cysts can form around your wisdom teeth as they come in, and if they go untreated they can cause a lot of damage to the nerves.
Sinus Issues - Untreated wisdom teeth can cause pain in the sinuses and cause congestion.
Inflamed Gums - Tissues around the gums can get irritated due to misshapen and out of place teeth.
Cavities - Swollen gums can create pockets between your teeth which causes cavities and bacteria to grow.
Alignment - One of the most common reasons to get your wisdom teeth removed is alignment. A lot of times wisdom teeth come in at the wrong angle and cause issues with the alignment of your other teeth.
Now that you know some of the reasons to have your wisdom teeth removed, what is the process of getting your wisdom teeth removed like? In a lot of cases, your annual dentist will tell you that you need to get a second opinion, so they recommend making an appointment with an orthodontist. If your orthodontist recommends getting them removed, usually the removal will occur at a time based off of the urgency.
The day of your appointment to get your teeth removed has finally arrived, I’m sure you have a lot of questions about the process. Will it hurt? How long will it take to recover? One thing you must have is a ride. During the surgery, you will be given anesthetic, which afterwards makes you feel dizzy, and see things that aren’t actually there. You are in no state to be driving after surgery, and will need someone to drive you home. When you get there, you will be put in a comfy chair for the surgery, and the surgeons assistants will start giving you medicine that will make sure there is no pain, and that you are asleep. One of the most famous forms of medicine you will be given is laughing gas. Laughing gas makes sure you aren’t stressed out, and helps you to relax. When you are given the medicine that makes you fall asleep, a lot of times people recommend counting down from 10, and seeing what number you get to before you have fallen asleep.
When you wake up, it will feel like no time has passed. You won’t feel any pain, but you may feel nauseated due to the medicine. You can’t eat any solid foods for a while, and you’ll have to eat things like ice cream and yogurt. Due to the laughing gas, you will say a lot of crazy and strange things, so be careful what you say! You will need a lot of rest, and need someone to drive you home.
Getting your wisdom teeth removed can be a scary process. I am getting my wisdom teeth removed soon. When I’m scared, I just remember that I will never have to get my wisdom teeth removed again.