Some
people go their whole lives without wisdom tooth extraction. Others
need this procedure late in their adult life and experience
complications that may make surgery recovery more difficult.
Thankfully, treatment is available for the problems below.
Potential
for Dry Socket
When
blood pools in the extraction site for your tooth, dentists encourage
this blood to sit and dry. This clot will protect the area from
infections or excessive pain. However, according to the LiveScience
website, some clots may break apart after surgery or never form and
cause a condition known as dry socket.
This
problem will cause pain, bad breath, and other issues that may become
worse without treatment. Avoid this problem by staying away from food
for a few days after your surgery and brushing the area very softly,
if at all. Pain medications like aspirin can help manage this
situation when it occurs.
Damage
to Nearby Teeth
During
the extraction process, other parts of your mouth and jaw can be
injured. For example, sudden movements by the patient could cause the
dentist to scrape against another tooth with their tools, damage your
jawbone, or even impact your sinuses.
So
if you're getting a wisdom tooth removed, you need to approve the use
of sedatives and talk to your dentist to minimize this risk. If you
tend to jerk in your sleep or have a nerve problem that may cause
spasms, you should talk to your dentist about this possibility to see
what care adjustments they can provide.
Potential
Infections
When
a dentist removes an impacted wisdom tooth, the risk of infection in
the extraction site is often quite high. Thankfully, you can avoid
this issue with proper dental care methods, including brushing and
flossing the area and with the use of high-quality mouthwash.
If
an infection does occur, you need to go to a doctor right away to
receive an antibiotic. Infections in
an impacted dental area may spread to the bloodstream and throughout
the rest of the body, where they can cause severe issues that may be
dangerous if left untreated.
Swollen
Lymph Nodes
In
some instances, your lymph nodes may swell up while your wisdom tooth
is impacted or after your surgery, according to LiveScience. This
symptom is often visible when it occurs or may cause your neck to be
very sensitive near the swollen nodes. This situation isn't dangerous
but may be painful and persistent.
In
some situations, the inflamed tissue may get infected and spread
dangerous bacteria to other parts of the body as well. Visits to a
doctor provide the only real care option for this condition, as your
dentist or different types of medical specialists can provide you
with care to minimize your swollen lymph nodes.
Some
Types of Gum Disease
Even
if you successfully avoid all of the other conditions on this list
for weeks at a time, you may still develop a condition known
as pericoronitis.
This situation typically occurs near partially-exposed or impacted
wisdom teeth and will create very painful feelings in the gums.
Unfortunately,
this condition may also develop after surgery and cause your gums to
swell up or inflame. Some types of anti-inflammatory substances can
help here. However, you can also prevent this condition if you
carefully and slowly clean the removal site without scrubbing.
Skilled
Professionals Prevent Problems
If
you have to get a wisdom tooth removed soon and are worried about any
of these issues, please make sure to contact us at Donald
E. Snyder Orthodontics right
away to learn more. Our experts can give you more in-depth advice on
how to avoid these problems and steps you can take to make your
extraction easier.
