Most people are familiar with the need to have their wisdom teeth removed once they’ve fully developed. It’s a routine surgery, but not many people understand a lot about wisdom teeth. Learning more can help you know more about your own body.
Why You Have Them
We don’t need wisdom teeth today, but we used to. Our ancestors needed their wisdom teeth because of their diet. They needed to chew very tough and often raw meat to survive. Wisdom teeth provided them with a wider jaw so they could adequately eat their food. Today, food is softer and prepared in a way that’s easier to chew.
We have adapted to the point where our jaws are smaller and we don’t need the additional teeth. Not everyone has wisdom teeth. In fact, some people only have a few rather than all four. Removing them has become necessary because they begin to crowd the other teeth and this can cause serious issues.
How to Prevent Issues
As wisdom teeth develop and eventually erupt, they can cause complications for other teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that are erupting at an angle or pushing up against other teeth. You can experience a great deal of pain when this happens. You can avoid this, or address it earlier, by seeing your dentist regularly.
They can keep an eye on your wisdom teeth and they will let you know when it’s time to remove them. If you get braces, the spacing of your teeth is changed. Wearing your retainer after braces will help prevent wisdom teeth from crowding out other teeth.
What to Expect After Removal
When you have your wisdom teeth removed, there are steps you should follow to care for your teeth as you recover. Immediately after your surgery, you may be given medication prescriptions. You should pick up these prescriptions right away and follow all instructions. Your surgeon should also give you instructions on how to deal with bleeding and swelling after surgery. One of the biggest things to keep in mind is what you eat after surgery. In the beginning, you should stick with soft, cool foods that will be gentle on the mouth. Do not drink anything through a straw as the suction can remove the blood clots and this can cause pain and serious issues.
Dealing with wisdom teeth will come at different times for everyone since it depends on when yours develop. It’s helpful to learn more about wisdom teeth so you can understand why you have them and why they typically need to be removed.
Here’s more to read: Good Habits to Follow After Having Your Braces Removed