It’s common for many people to have their wisdom teeth pulled, but how do you know if you should be one of them? While some people never have any issues with their wisdom teeth, much of the time they can cause oral health problems if left to their own devices and it’s better to have them pulled. Here’s how you can tell if you should look into having a wisdom tooth extraction.
Knowing When It’s Time
Pain is usually the symptoms that lets you know it’s time for wisdom tooth removal. You might notice stiffness or pain in your jaw, pain near the back of your mouth, or even pain in your sinuses. Your dentist will be able to confirm whether your wisdom teeth are the cause of your discomfort.
Sometimes, your dentist will be able to tell whether your wisdom teeth will become a problem even before you start having pain. During your regular checkups, an x-ray can tell your dentist whether your wisdom teeth are impacted or are likely to cause your other teeth to shift. In these cases, you’ll still want to have a wisdom tooth extraction.
After Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Having your wisdom teeth removed is a dental surgery, which means there will be some recovery involved. The healing process is very important, as caring for your teeth improperly could lead to complications such as dry socket. Avoid eating hard foods and drinking through straws until the area has fully healed, and try to brush gently when cleaning your teeth.
The wisdom teeth recovery time is different for everyone, and you might have some swelling in your face even after the pain has subsided. This is normal and not cause for concern.
If you think it’s time to have your wisdom teeth removed, our staff here at Main Street Dentistry is here to help. Give us a call to schedule an appointment today!