You Just Found Out that You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed!
So, your dentist tells you that you need your wisdom teeth extracted and you’re feeling a bit anxious. Here are all the things you should know before you go in for surgery (and tips on how to ensure a quick recovery) so you can go into the procedure feeling prepped and ready.
By the end of this post, you’ll know:
- What to ask your oral surgeon prior to the procedure
- What you can anticipate during the procedure
- What to expect in regards to discomfort after wisdom teeth removal
- How to protect against a dry socket
Why are wisdom teeth a problem?
Essentially, there isn’t adequate space for wisdom teeth because our jaws don’t develop to be large enough to have enough space for them to grow correctly. Since there isn’t enough room for them to emerge appropriately, wisdom teeth have the tendency to come in at a slant or completely surface (this is called impacted wisdom teeth), which causes problems for the rest of your teeth.
Third molars (also known as wisdom teeth) often cause problems with the teeth right next to them, called second molars. Dentists suggest taking out wisdom teeth before they end up being a problem and to steer clear of a more invasive surgery.
Why isn’t there room in our mouths for wisdom teeth?
Our jaws are much smaller than they used to be. That’s not due to evolution– it’s due to the fact that our modern-day diet does not have a number of key nutrients that make it possible for the jaw to develop correctly.
One vitamin specifically, Vitamin K2, is accountable for allowing the jaw to develop by taking calcium in the body and putting it into the bones. The majority of people don’t grow up consuming the type of food where you would get Vitamin K2– liver and organ meat in addition to animal products from animals that eat grass (not grain or corn). The low-fat food craze of the 90s, along with factory farming, have practically wiped out Vitamin K2 from our diets.
That’s why, nowadays, an undersized lower third of the face is so typical that it has ended up being the norm. Our ancestors and small indigenous groups not consuming the present day diet had excellent jaw growth with plenty of room for all 32 teeth to come in straight.
So, how do you find out if your jaw developed completely? It hinges on your childhood years. Eating raw, crispy foods rich in the nutrients found in organ meats and grass-fed animal fats are what promote adequate jaw growth. These days, childhood diets are heavy in soft, nutrient-poor foods like applesauce and Goldfish crackers. Bottlefeeding and sippy cups can also impair suitable jaw progression. Our diets have become too soft and our jaws aren’t developing fully thanks to lack of use.
What happens if I skip surgery and leave my wisdom teeth in place?
The main reason we extract wisdom teeth is to stop them from harming other healthy teeth. Typically, wisdom teeth emerge perpendicularly to the teeth next to them (your second molars). When wisdom teeth grow sideways like this, it can cause problems with your bite, generates an area where food gets captured, wears away both of the teeth, and can even trigger an agonizing infection. So, if you pass up the surgical procedure today, it’s very likely to cause difficulties and issues in the future.
But what if the wisdom teeth don’t ever come in? If your wisdom teeth don’t erupt and you leave them in, there is a 25% chance that the epithelial lining around the wisdom tooth will end up being cancerous. I discovered this in my mom while I was in dental school and it was properly eliminated, but it was a complex procedure. This is just one of the many reasons that you get your wisdom teeth out sooner, instead of later, in life.
Naturally, if you were born with no wisdom teeth, then you can disregard the rest of the guide because you’re all good! This is not to be confused with people who still have wisdom teeth in the bone that haven’t erupted yet. A limited portion of the community is born without wisdom teeth and those people never have to get surgery.
How long will it take to recover from wisdom teeth surgery?
Normally about one week. From time to time, it’ll be as short as three to five days to recover, but that’s often just for uncomplicated surgery cases with no impaction or other conditions.
Your recuperation time will be dependent on:
What type of anesthesia you select. – You’ll have the ability to recover a lot faster if you have just local anesthesia or nitrous than if you have to go under.
Your healthy eating plan during recovery. – In almost every situation, I see a lot of people who have a plain diet of Jell-O and ice cream recover more slowly.
Preventing a dry socket. – A lot of people prolong healing for several weeks by not following proper procedure after the surgery– including utilizing a straw, not trying to keep the head raised, or brushing their teeth too soon after surgery. See my tips for how to speed up wisdom teeth recovery and how to prevent a dry socket.
Who Should Handle a Wisdom Teeth Extraction Surgery?
I always advise seeing an experienced New York Oral Surgeon. Oral surgeons have seen it all, and if the unforeseen arises during the course of your surgery, it won’t be a shock to them. But having said that, there are a lot of regular dentists who do wisdom teeth removals regularly and are exceptional. Just make certain you see a dental practitioner or oral surgeon who does this kind of surgery frequently. Wisdom teeth surgery has a high complication rate if not performed in the hands of a professional.
Make certain your dentist is using a dental drill exclusively for oral surgery. The exact same drill that general dentists use for fillings and crowns must not be used for wisdom teeth surgery, as it can cause an air embolism, a serious problem. Ask your dentist, “are you using an electric/pneumatic hand-piece that is designed for oral surgery?”
Having wisdom teeth issues?
Dr. Brisman is ready to help with your wisdom teeth woes. Call or stop by our office in East Harlem and let’s see how we can help!
