You might also be missing one or more of your wisdom teeth. On the other hand, it also regularly happens that wisdom teeth are formed, but there is no room for them in the mouth. So is it better to remove wisdom teeth? And what benefits and drawbacks do wisdom teeth extractions have?

Complaints can accompany the eruption of wisdom teeth. This does not automatically mean that the tooth has to be pulled. Initially, paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to suppress the pain. The tooth and the gums around it must be kept clean to prevent inflammation. In general, a wisdom tooth doesn’t need to be taken out if there’s enough space in the mouth. The tooth is in a good spot and can be kept clean.

Indications for removal of the wisdom tooth

Sometimes problems can be expected when erupting wisdom teeth, especially in the lower jaw. These can be problems with the wisdom tooth, the tooth in front of it, or the gums around it. If there is a significant risk of problems arising, it is wise to have the wisdom teeth removed before complaints arise. This is called preemptive removal.

Reasons for preemptive removal include:

• The crooked breaking of the wisdom tooth, as a result of which it cannot be kept clean properly
• Too little space in the mouth
• A wisdom tooth that erupts obliquely towards the front tooth, as this significantly increases the chance of tooth decay in the front tooth
• A wisdom tooth has no function because there is no opposite tooth

It is also sometimes thought that wisdom teeth should be removed to avoid the risk of crooked growth of the lower teeth. Lower teeth often grow in at an angle, but research has shown that this is not caused by the wisdom teeth coming in.

Removal of the wisdom tooth

In order to properly assess how and by whom the wisdom teeth can be removed, an OPT is made. This is an extensive X-ray that shows the entire upper and lower jaw. This gives a better picture of the wisdom tooth, the molars next to it, and the sensory nerve of the lower lip and chin. With this knowledge, deciding whether the dentist can perform infected wisdom tooth extraction or if a referral to the dental surgeon is required is possible.

After treatment

After removing the wisdom tooth, it is important to take into account the points below:

• It is important to clean the mouth well the day after the treatment. Don’t forget to brush the tooth next to the wound.
• You might experience some pain after the anesthesia wears off. You can use paracetamol and/or ibuprofen for this.
• Your cheek may become swollen, and you may develop a fever. Cooling reduces swelling.
• Swallowing and opening the mouth can be more difficult. This will get better after two to three days. If the pain or swelling gets worse after three days, it is important to contact the dentist or dental surgeon.
• The wound may bleed a little during the first 24 hours after emergency tooth extraction. Rinsing the mouth can increase the risk of bleeding, so you should not do that. If the wound is bleeding, you can put a clean gauze or clean handkerchief on it and close it firmly for half an hour. Usually, the bleeding then stops on its own. If the wound still continues to bleed, you should contact the practitioner.