Pros and Cons of Wisdom Teeth Extraction You Should Know

Wisdom teeth can cause a whole lot of pain when they start to grow in. While some people experience little or no issues, others experience discomfort that affects their jaw, neck, head and even their ears. Wisdom teeth are the last molars to “erupt”. They are located at the very back of your mouth.

Some lucky people don’t even have wisdom teeth at all. However, if you are one of the majority, then you are going to have wisdom teeth and most likely be told extractions are a must. Signs you have wisdom teeth issues include:

• Swollen gums
• Bad taste
• Bad breath
• Earaches
• Headaches
• Jaw pain
• Excess saliva
• Difficulty opening your mouth or moving your jaw

In most cases, you’re experiencing these issues because there just isn’t enough room in your mouth for the teeth to grow. This means that the molars are trying to grow any which way they can. When this happens your wisdom teeth become “impacted” and can’t break through the gums, or can only partially break through. As a result, you’ll need to have your wisdom teeth extracted. Here we look at the pros and cons of wisdom teeth extractions you should know.

What are the pros of wisdom tooth extraction?

Here are the reasons we recommend wisdom tooth extraction:

• No more pain: If you have impacted wisdom teeth, we don’t need to go much further than this. Impacted wisdom teeth hurt because they are putting pressure on the gums, jawbone and other teeth as they struggle to break free. While some people might experience mild discomfort, it is very common to suffer unbearable pain. Once you heal from your extractions, you will never experience that pain again.
• You are kept comfortable during the procedure: The idea of pain from surgery can make it difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, tooth extractions are only performed when patients are sedated. Plus, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area, so you have double protection against pain.
• Improved dental health: Once your teeth are removed, so are any potential problems they might cause. Not only are you pain-free but you don’t have to worry about future issues caused by the pressure on your other teeth and gums.
• Possible smile issues: One thing that can occur if you don’t remove your wisdom teeth is a gradual change to your smile. The pressure from the back teeth can force the rest of your teeth to move, which can lead to crowding. This can ruin the appearance of your smile. Extractions help preserve your beautiful smile.

The cons of wisdom teeth extraction

We aren’t going to lie. There are also cons to wisdom teeth extraction including:

• Post-Surgery Pain: While the end result once you heal is a pain-free existence, you will experience pain during the healing process. The pain will affect your whole head and jaw, not just the site of the extraction. However, you can take over-the-counter pain medication and also apply ice packs to keep you comfortable. Just focus on the fact that each day will see the pain ease.

• Dry Sockets: While not everyone needs to worry about dry sockets, it is a risk if you don’t follow home care instructions. When your wisdom teeth are removed your body creates blood clots to help in the healing process. While this might sound gross, they act as a natural seal to protect you from infection.

  If the clots are removed before the healing process is complete, it leads to an issue called dry sockets. This exposes the bones and nerves at the site of the extraction which is very painful. You’ll require immediate attention if you experience severe pain or bleeding a few days following your extraction.

• Diet: While this is considered a con, some people actually find it a pro as it often leads to weight loss! For the most part, however, it is inconvenient as you have to stick to a strict diet of soft foods.

  The first day you can only sip cool drinks which can’t be slurped with a straw. The following day you can add soft foods like soup, applesauce, scrambled eggs etc. This diet is required for about a week and by the time you are feeling better, you’ll also be able to resume a normal diet.

As you can see, the pros slightly outweigh the cons. Wisdom teeth extraction is all about long-term gain. Once your week of healing is over, you can get on with your life without fear of further impacted tooth-related pain or dental issues.

Contact Bristol Dental

If you would like more information about wisdom teeth extractions in Mississauga, call Bristol Dental at 905-712-3409 or contact us here.