Wisdom teeth: treat or extract?

As industry developed, food became softer. In the past, people ate tough parts of plants, meat, and other hard foods. Today, wisdom teeth no longer play a full role in chewing, but they have other important functions:

• Anchoring other teeth in the row. "Wisdom teeth" help the other molars maintain their proper position, preventing them from shifting or becoming loose;
• Additional chewing points when other teeth are missing;
• Support for bridge prosthetics.

Absolute indications for the removal of "wisdom teeth" include the presence of:

• A root cyst;
• Purulent periostitis;
• Frequent inflammatory processes of apical periodontitis;
• Pulpitis with obstructed canals;
• Frequent inflammation of the "hood," which causes irritation of the bone tissue.

In addition to such clear-cut situations, the dentist may recommend wisdom tooth removal for chronic periodontitis, grade III mobility of teeth, as well as for inflammation of the trigeminal nerve caused by the third molar.

Wisdom teeth are removed using various techniques. If they are located in the upper jaw, the procedure is usually quick. This is possible because the roots are properly formed and positioned in the right place. Also, the bone tissue in the upper jaw is not very dense.

But lower wisdom teeth are more difficult to remove due to frequent root curvature and very dense bone tissue.

Modern technologies and medications make even such unpleasant procedures as painless as possible for the patient. When the oral surgeon works properly and uses appropriate anesthesia, the operation goes smoothly.

However, it is worth considering that if the patient has been taking painkillers, sedatives, or drugs for a long time, the anesthesia may be weak.

After the anesthesia wears off, pain and swelling may occur at the surgical site. To relieve these unpleasant symptoms, one of many painkillers can be used. For the right choice, it is best to consult the treating dentist.

To help the body recover as quickly as possible after such a minor operation, it is best to follow the doctor's instructions.

• The gauze pad at the surgical site should be removed after 20 minutes so that the wound can begin to heal properly;
• For the first 2 hours, do not eat or rinse the mouth;
• For the first 24 hours, try to eat on the other side of the jaw, making sure that food does not get into the wound;
• Sometimes patients ask whether they should rinse the wound, and if so, with what and how often. On the first day after wisdom tooth removal, you should not rinse actively at all, otherwise the protective blood clot may be washed out of the socket. You can gently do chlorhexidine rinses after meals. On days 3-4, such rinses can be replaced with chamomile or sage decoctions;
• If the patient complains of pain before removal, the doctor may prescribe a course of additional medications, which should be taken strictly as prescribed;
• On the first day, you may avoid brushing the adjacent teeth near the surgical site. But afterward it is very important to return to thorough care, since accumulating bacteria can easily get into the socket, causing inflammation and slowing the healing process.

After some time, it is best to schedule a follow-up visit with the dentist so that they can rule out any unwanted processes.

After wisdom tooth extraction, the following are strictly prohibited:

• Playing sports, drinking hot beverages, visiting a sauna;
• Applying heat to the wound in any way (it is better to apply ice);
• Trying to examine the socket with any objects or with your tongue, even if it feels like something is there. In such cases, it is best to see the doctor once more.