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Because wisdom teeth removal is so common, there are a lot of myths surrounding the procedure. Plus, since everyone’s experience is different, some of the tall tales about having your wisdom teeth removed start becoming nightmare fuel! We’re talking today about the wisdom teeth removal process in Plano, TX, and giving you the facts, not the stories, about the procedure and recovery.

If my wisdom teeth don’t hurt, I don’t need them removed.

False! Just because your wisdom teeth don’t hurt right now, doesn’t mean that they aren’t going to later, or won’t start causing damage to your other teeth, either through crowding or these teeth being hard to clean, which can lead to gum disease. When you have regular dental check-ups, your dentist will monitor the growth of your wisdom teeth and can predict whether or not they’ll cause you problems.

Not everyone has wisdom teeth.

True! Only about 2/3 of people grow wisdom teeth – some people are born without them. Even among the people that do have wisdom teeth, it’s not uncommon to have less than all four. Scientists speculate that wisdom teeth used to be an evolutionary advantage, having teeth that grow later in life to replace adult teeth that were lost through disease, decay, or other damage. In these cases, having a backup set of molars helped, but now, with much better oral care, many people simply don’t need the third molars.

Wisdom teeth removal hurts.

False! When you opt for a great oral surgeon, one who uses industry-leading procedures and equipment, including pain-free and sedation dentistry, having your wisdom teeth removed is a simple, safe, and fast procedure. Many patients report only feeling a bit of pressure when the teeth are removed, even for those that are impacted in the jaw.

It takes a long time to recover from wisdom teeth removal.

False! When recovery takes longer, it could be because you have low pain tolerance, or you’ve had all four wisdom teeth removed at once. You can definitely expect to feel soreness and a little pain and swelling after the procedure. However, if you carefully follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions, then you shouldn’t have a difficult recovery process.

Recovering from wisdom teeth removal centers around preserving the blood clot that forms after the procedure. The clot protects the extraction site from the bacteria and food debris in your mouth, reducing the chances of infection and allowing your gums and jaw to heal. If the clot is disturbed or removed, you can experience dry sockets or infection, and those are painful.

Almost all people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth.

True! An impacted wisdom tooth is one that’s lodged in your jaw or is growing in at an angle, not in alignment with the other teeth. About 9 out of 10 people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth, and those people need the services of a professional oral surgeon to remove the tooth before the impacted tooth can damage your other teeth or your jaw.

I may not need my wisdom teeth taken out.

True! Not everyone needs wisdom teeth removal. If your jaw is big enough, or if you lost permanent molars, then your dentist may allow the teeth to stay. Just be sure to properly clean these molars, since they can be hard to reach.

My dentist will spot my wisdom teeth early.

True. Your regular dental exams (twice per year is recommended) will include X-rays, and these X-rays don’t just spot potential decay or a cavity, but also whether or not you have wisdom teeth, and their development, including whether they’re impacted in your jaw. Your dentist will monitor this, and recommend whether or not you have them removed.

Summer is the best time of year for having wisdom teeth removal.

True, and false. Recovering from this procedure can take a few days, especially if you have all four teeth removed at once. That, plus the pain and swelling that are common after the procedure means that you may be helping for several days and that you’re having difficulty talking and eating. Because wisdom teeth develop in the late teens and early twenties, the ideal candidate for this procedure is often in school during the fall, winter, and spring. Therefore, summertime wisdom teeth removal means that many people won’t have to miss classes to have it done.

You can’t eat after having wisdom teeth removed.

False. While you shouldn’t eat spicy, crunchy, or chewy foods after an extraction, this doesn’t mean you can’t eat at all. Your dentist will likely recommend soft foods, such as smoothies and protein shakes, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and of course ice cream. Just steer clear of drinking through a straw, or smoking or drinking alcohol, as these can dislodge the blood clots and slow healing.

Keeping your wisdom teeth leads to gum disease.

False. The teeth themselves won’t cause gum disease or gingivitis, but failing to clean them properly can. Because of their placement far at the back of the mouth, it’s harder for people to brush and floss wisdom teeth properly. This leads to gum disease, so be sure to stretch and reach to floss around your wisdom teeth.

Wisdom teeth can grow back.

False! Your adult teeth unfortunately won’t grow back once they’re lost. This is why proper oral care is so important – you don’t get any more teeth than the ones you have. However, if you have lost an adult tooth, replacing it with a dental implant can ensure that your mouth is healthy, your jaw stays healthy, and your other teeth don’t start drifting out of alignment.

Wisdom Teeth Removal in Plano, TX

When it’s time for your wisdom teeth extraction procedure, trust the experts in oral surgery and dental care – NextGen OMS in Plano, TX. We’re a professional team of dental surgery specialists, board-certified, and with years of experience removing even the most stubborn wisdom teeth. Give us a call today, or check out our website for more information about this procedure.