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If you’ve still got your wisdom teeth, your dentist might suggest having them removed. It’s reasonable to ask why you would have them out if they’re not hurting. But there are many valid reasons to consider the procedure, even if your wisdom teeth are not causing pain. What’s the problem with keeping wisdom teeth?Today we live on a refined diet and eat just a fraction of the raw foods our prehistoric ancestors did. Instead of having a broad strong jaw to support a primal diet, the size and shape of our mouth and jaw has evolved to suit our modern-day lifestyles. As a result, we no longer have as much room in our mouth for the third set of grinding molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth. Dr Tanjum Sethi St John Dental family dentist Dr Tanjum Sethi says unfortunately wisdom teeth can have an adverse effect on surrounding teeth because they often don’t have room to grow. This also makes them extremely difficult to correctly care for. “Having wisdom teeth removed is actually good preventative dental,” Dr Sethi says. Erupting wisdom teeth can grow at an angle, sometimes horizontally. Or they can remain completely hidden within the gums. If they can’t emerge normally they can become trapped in the jaw, which is referred to as ‘impacted’. This can result in infection or cause a cyst that can damage the roots of other teeth or the supporting bone. If teeth emerge only partially through the gums, they can be hard to clean. This creates an ideal environment for bacteria which can cause gum disease and infection. Wisdom teeth can also crowd nearby teeth if they don’t have enough room, pushing on or potentially damaging nearby teeth. Dr Sethi says whilst a person may not be experiencing immediate pain with their wisdom teeth, it can be inevitable at some stage. And having them removed sooner can save the more useful surrounding teeth which could otherwise be damaged. Will having my wisdom teeth removed hurt?Wisdom teeth are more easily removed at a younger age, between 17-25 when the bone is more elastic and the tooth comes out easier, which generally results in a faster recovery. As we become older, the surrounding bone and roots become more dense and solid, and the wisdom teeth are more likely to adversely compromise the surrounding teeth. “These days we know a lot about a person’s wisdom teeth before they are removed. X-rays can identify any complexities in advance, and if required, a CT scan showing the tooth and nerves in 3D can also be taken. This allows us to see exactly what we’re dealing with and the best course of action,” says Dr Sethi. There are a number of pain relief options when it comes to having wisdom teeth removed. If patients are awake for the procedure, they may experience the sensation of pressure, pushing and tugging, rather than sharp pain. The procedure is relatively quick, and in many cases, the extraction of four wisdom teeth can be completed in an hour. Swelling is less common with current extraction techniques, and your dentist may also administer an anti-swelling medication during the procedure to prevent this from happening. After the procedure, patients may experience some discomfort in the first 2-3 days during which they can take prescribed pain relief medication. They may be sore for up to a week however can usually get on with their day-to-day activities within a couple of days. What anaesthetic options are available for wisdom teeth removal?Your dentist will discuss anaesthetic and sedation options with you based on your individual circumstances, and in many cases wisdom teeth can be removed at your dental clinic. If this is the case, your dentist may recommend:
If wisdom teeth are removed in a hospital setting, the patient may undergo either twilight sedation or a general anaesthetic. Usually your dentist will make a recommendation based on a number of factors, including the complexity of the removal, whether the teeth are upper, lower or a combination of both, and the level of anxiety a patient may be feeling about the procedure. What to expect after wisdom teeth removal surgeryTo ensure the best recovery, the following steps are recommended:
Discussing your wisdom teeth removal at St John DentalNot all wisdom teeth require removal, although it can assist your overall health and wellbeing. Your St John Dentist will be able to examine, x-ray and advise on your individual circumstances and best course of action. St John Dental have locations across the Perth Metro area, including Armadale, Cannington, Cockburn, Joondalup, Midland, and a new centre opening at Osborne Park in May 2022. Its team of professional and caring dental practitioners provide ongoing and regular family care to patients as well as emergency dental. Book in to see your favourite dentist at St John Dental today. Dr Tanjum Sethi is based at St John Dental Midland. You can book a consultation with Dr Tanjum Sethi. More from this author
New St John Dental practice to open in Osborne ParkBy St John WA | 24 October 2022 The Osborne Park community now has something to smile about as St John Dental Osborne Park is set to open its doors on Monday 7th November 2022. As part of the recently opened St John Health Centre in Osborne Park, the dental clinic is the latest addition to St John Health’s growing network in the Perth metropolitan area. From general check-ups to dental emergencies The brand-new clinic is ... Read More
New St John Health Centre for Osborne Park Now OpenBy St John WA | 11 July 2022 Today, Monday 11th July 2022, St John WA opens the newest of their network of Health Centres in Osborne Park. The Centre is the 3rd of 4 planned committed as part of a Federal Government-funded trial to deliver urgent, non-emergency care to patients who may normally go to a hospital emergency department for treatment. Urgent Care is available when it’s urgent but not an emergency for the t... Read More
New St John Health Centre for Osborne ParkBy St John WA | 22 June 2022 The Osborne Park community is set to benefit from the latest expansion of St John WA’s Urgent Care service, providing medical care for urgent but non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses. In partnership with the Federal Government, the new St John Health Centre Osborne Park will open on 11th July. Providing an extensive range of treatments in one convenient location, the Centre will offer ... Read More What happens if you don't take off your wisdom teeth?Because this area is hard to see and clean, wisdom teeth that partially emerge create a passageway that can become a magnet for bacteria that cause gum disease and oral infection. Crowd nearby teeth. If wisdom teeth don't have enough room to come in properly, they may crowd or damage nearby teeth.
Is it better to have wisdom teeth pulled or cut out?The prevailing opinion of oral health experts, Busaidy says, is that wisdom teeth should be removed if they are actively causing pain, inflammation or infection. “In addition, when wisdom teeth are impacted, they are usually removed to prevent gum or periodontal disease developing in the adjacent teeth,” he says.
What are the benefits of keeping your wisdom teeth?In fact, where they are not negatively impacting oral and/or overall health, it is best to keep wisdom teeth intact. Properly erupted wisdom teeth provide support in the back of the mouth and help maintain bone in the jaw. This support is beneficial to the health of the temporo mandibular joint (TMJ).
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Should i get my wisdom teeth removed
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