If you are already familiar with a wisdom tooth, you may know that though it is usually trouble-free, it can sometimes lead to dental issues, causing pain and discomfort and disrupting your normal routines. For example, they may put pressure on your neighbouring teeth, leading to pain and shifting of teeth. Often, they may also become impacted, which means that instead of growing upwards, they either grow at an odd angle or are unable to erupt completely. 

When this happens, your dentist may suggest removing your wisdom tooth to prevent complications associated with it, such as infection, gum disease, damage to neighbouring teeth, or even tumours.

Wisdom tooth removal is a common procedure that effectively reduces the symptoms related to wisdom tooth issues when performed by a surgeon in a reputed dental care hospital.

However, the myths revolving around a wisdom tooth and its treatment often cause patients with dental issues to make wrong decisions or delay treatment, leading to the complications mentioned above. This article will attempt to clear the top misconceptions regarding wisdom tooth removal so that people become aware of the real facts and have no hesitations about getting their teeth removed.

Top Myths And Facts About wisdom tooth removal

We will now debunk the common myths circulating about wisdom tooth removal and provide you with the actual facts instead.

1. Myth: Wisdom tooth extraction can be dangerous

Fact: When performed by a reputed oral surgeon belonging to the best dental hospital, wisdom tooth removal is a fairly safe procedure. Patients undergoing this surgery usually do not suffer any complications. At Gnathos, our surgeons go through all the risks associated with the procedure and provide a list of safety instructions to enable the patient’s speedy recovery. We help them prepare for the surgery, explain what to expect during the surgery, and give a list of dos and don’ts that the patients can follow to avoid any adverse effects. 

2. Myth: The wisdom tooth extraction process takes a lot of time

Fact: The duration of a wisdom tooth surgery depends on the performing surgeon’s expertise and equipment. The average time taken for a complex wisdom tooth removal surgery is approximately 20-30 minutes. At our well-equipped and modern dental care hospital, we have state-of-the-art equipment for meticulous surgical procedures, such as wisdom tooth removal, that make the surgery smooth and complication-free.

3. Myth: Pain-free impacted wisdom tooth does not require removal

Fact: Just because your impacted tooth does not cause any pain does not indicate it is disease or problem-free. If ignored, such teeth can cause infection, go on to form cysts or damage the nearby teeth. If a cyst forms, it can even damage the nearby nerves. 

4. Myth: You cannot brush your teeth following a wisdom tooth extraction

Fact: For the first 24 hours after extraction, it is advisable not to brush your teeth, use mouthwash, spit, or rinse your mouth. However, after that period, you can brush your teeth, being very gentle near the extraction site. For one to two weeks, rinsing your mouth with salt water would be a good practice to follow to prevent infections. 

5. Myth: Dry sockets occur after every wisdom tooth extraction

Fact: In reality, around two to five percent of individuals can develop dry sockets after they get their wisdom tooth removed. However, certain factors could increase the risk, like poor oral health, having a history of dry sockets, or an underlying condition like diabetes.  

6. Myth: Removing your wisdom tooth can impact your jaw bone or face shape

Fact: A wisdom tooth is an extra tooth in the mouth that is not even replaced after its extraction as it does not serve any specific function as such. Hence, there is no impact on either your face shape or jaw bone. In fact, what can cause more harm is delaying the removal of your wisdom tooth.

7. Myth: You cannot eat any food for two days following an extraction

Fact: The truth is that you are allowed to eat anything that is not hard or below the room temperature. For the first 24 hours, you need to avoid hard foods and eat semi-solid foods like porridge or yoghurt. Chewy, hard, or spicy foods can irritate the extraction area or get stuck in the socket. 

Conclusion

We hope we have managed to clarify some of the key myths surrounding wisdom tooth removal. Remember that if your wisdom tooth is painful or causing discomfort, don’t hesitate to get a thorough examination at the hands of a skilled maxillofacial surgeon. 

At Gnathos, our skilled surgeons are well-known for their proficiency in dealing with highly complex cases related to wisdom tooth and have successfully performed countless extraction procedures. We will prepare you well for the procedure, take all the essential safety precautions, and ensure you receive the best surgical experience at our hygienic and ultra-modern dental care hospital.