When are wisdom teeth removed?
If the tooth is not causing problems, your dentist will not want to remove it. Wisdom teeth removal is indicated when:
It is clear that they there is not enough room for them to erupt into the oral cavity in the correct position and causing pain or discomfortThese teeth are decayed and maintaining oral hygiene is difficultCausing decay of the tooth in front of it due to the incorrect position in the jaw
What are the Indications for tooth removal?
Wisdom or Impacted teethSevere caries (cavity) that cannot be restored through fillingsPulpal damage to a tooth which cannot be treated through root canal treatmentFailed root canal therapy
Excessive bone loss and tooth mobility leading to periodontal diseaseFor orthodontic treatment (braces) where there is severe crowdingPatients receiving chemotherapy or having an organ transplant and there is a high risk of infectionTrauma due to a fall or accident and tooth cannot be savedBroken or cracked teeth where repair is not possibleTeeth involved in jaw fracturesRetained baby teethSuper-numerary or extra teeth causing problem in the development of other teeth
What are the post-operative instructions?
Some bleeding is normal following extractions; bite down firmly over gauze pads for half an hourSome swelling is also normal; place an ice pack from outside (cheek) for the first few hours to reduce the amount of swellingFollow your dentist’s prescription for pain managementAvoid excessive spitting for the first 24 hours
Eat soft and liquid diet like mashed potatoes, pudding, yogurt etc for the first 24 hours and progress to other easy to chew foods after two days
Have cold food-stuffs for the first 24 hours like cold milk, juices, ice-creams etc. Avoid using a straw
Chew with teeth that are far from the extraction site
Brush and floss the other teeth as usual and keep the extraction site clean. Use mouth-rinses
Do not smoke for the first 36 hours. Smoking will delay healing and can cause a very uncomfortable and painful condition known as “dry socket”
Start warm saline gargles from the next day
Avoid rubbing the area with your tongue or finger
Do not bite on the lower lip or other numb areas of the mouth (especially in children)
Avoid strenuous exercise during the first 24 hours