What You Need to Know About Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are located at the very end of the upper and lower jaw. Most people will get their wisdom teeth in their late teens and mid-twenties. There are people who experience oral complications when the wisdom teeth begin to grow. Some patients will even consider having the teeth extracted by a surgeon or dentist. Wisdom teeth also need regular cleaning and polishing in order to brighten the smile. Below are a few things you need to know about wisdom teeth.

Most wisdom teeth will need to be extracted

Most people will experience complications with their wisdom teeth and need to have them removed. The thing with wisdom teeth is that they are very prone to complications such as cavities and pain. Extraction of wisdom teeth is normally done by a dental surgeon. Before the wisdom tooth is removed, a radiography is done to determine if indeed there is a need to perform extraction. There are different ways to avoid complications such as gum disease, pain and cavities that develop when you start growing wisdom teeth. For instance, regular cleaning can help maintain strong and healthy wisdom teeth.

Wisdom teeth can affect nearby teeth

Sometimes the wisdom teeth tend to compromise the health of surrounding teeth. This is because as the wisdom tooth grows, it affects the root system and body of the nearby teeth. This is what causes the neighboring teeth to become prone to infection, decay and cavities. In fact, after wisdom teeth grow, you may find yourself going for more frequent cleaning to protect the surrounding teeth. By cleaning the teeth near the wisdom teeth as often as possible, you can protect them from decay and cavities. Alternatively, you can choose to have the wisdom teeth extracted in order to avoid spending time and money on more frequent cleaning sessions. Dental experts usually recommend removal when the wisdom teeth are having a negative impact on the neighboring teeth.

There is still a risk of infection

Most people will have the wisdom teeth extracted but fail to take care of their oral hygiene afterwards. What follows is decay, cavities and infections that cause pain and discomfort. First, the process of removing wisdom teeth will not be painful so long as it is done properly. The removal procedure is straightforward and patients may experience a slight discomfort. However, the patient will require some time in order to recover after the extraction is done. Proper post removal care is very important because it helps to keep pain and infection at bay.

One of the things you need to do when you have the wisdom teeth removed is to stay away from foods that can get into the sockets. Patients are often advised to rinse the mouth with salty water after every meal in order to prevent food material from getting stuck in the sockets. There are many other guidelines that a dental expert may recommend in order to reduce the risk of infection after wisdom teeth removal.