Wisdom teeth, as the last teeth to grow in the human mouth, often cause us quite a lot of trouble. Many people have experienced pain, swelling and even inflammation caused by wisdom teeth, which seriously affect their daily life and diet. So, exactly how can wisdom tooth problems be cured more quickly? Next, I will provide you with detailed answers from multiple aspects.
Understand the Causes of Wisdom Tooth Problems
Before exploring how to cure wisdom teeth, we must first figure out why problems occur with wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth usually start to emerge around the age of 18 to 25, during which the development of our jawbones is basically set. However, modern people’s jawbones often do not have enough space to accommodate the normal growth of wisdom teeth, which leads to various problems with wisdom teeth.
The most common situation is impacted wisdom teeth, which means that wisdom teeth cannot emerge normally into the oral cavity and are partially or completely covered by the gums or alveolar bone. In this case, it is very easy for food debris to remain around the wisdom teeth, making cleaning difficult and allowing bacteria to breed, which in turn can lead to pericoronitis of the wisdom teeth. In addition, impacted wisdom teeth may also compress adjacent teeth, leading to problems such as tooth decay and root resorption of the adjacent teeth. In addition, abnormal growth directions of wisdom teeth, such as horizontal growth or inverted growth, can also cause pain and oral dysfunction. Understanding these causes can help us take more targeted measures in the process of treatment and prevention.
Seek Medical Attention Promptly for Diagnosis
When you experience pain, swelling, or limited mouth opening in the area of your wisdom teeth, or notice red and swollen gums with pus oozing out, you must promptly visit a reputable dental hospital or clinic for treatment. Professional dentists will accurately determine the growth status and existing problems of wisdom teeth through oral examinations, taking X-rays and other methods.
X-ray films can clearly show the position, shape, relationship with adjacent teeth and the condition of the alveolar bone of wisdom teeth. Based on the examination results, the dentist will formulate a personalized treatment plan. If the wisdom tooth is only slightly inflamed and there is a possibility of normal eruption, conservative treatment may be adopted. However, if wisdom teeth are severely impacted, repeatedly inflamed, or have already caused damage to adjacent teeth, extraction is usually recommended. Don’t delay seeking medical treatment out of fear of it; otherwise, it may lead to a worsening of the condition, increase the difficulty of treatment and the recovery time.
Conservative Treatment Methods
(1) Local flushing
When pericoronitis of wisdom teeth is in the acute stage and the gums are significantly red, swollen and painful, local irrigation is a very effective treatment method. Dentists will use normal saline and three treatment methods. Dentists will alternately use normal saline and 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to rinse the blind pocket around the wisdom tooth, which is the gap between the gum and the wisdom tooth. This rinsing can thoroughly remove food residues, bacteria and pus from the blind bag, reducing inflammatory irritation. Generally speaking, each rinse should be carried out 3 to 5 times until the rinse solution becomes clear. After rinsing, the dentist will place drugs such as iodine glycerin in the blind bag to have anti-inflammatory and astringent effects. In daily life, patients can also rinse their mouths with warm salt water 4 to 6 times a day, each time for about 30 seconds, to help keep the mouth clean and reduce inflammation.
(2) Drug treatment
For patients with more severe inflammation, in addition to local irrigation, drug treatment should also be combined. Commonly used drugs include antibiotics and painkillers. Antibiotics can inhibit the growth of bacteria and control the spread of inflammation. Generally, oral or intravenous antibiotics are selected based on the severity of inflammation. Commonly used oral antibiotics include metronidazole and amoxicillin, etc. Painkillers can relieve wisdom tooth pain and improve the quality of life of patients, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. However, it should be noted that drug treatment must be carried out under the guidance of a doctor, strictly following the dosage and course of treatment prescribed by the doctor to avoid adverse reactions or the development of drug resistance due to self-medication. At the same time, during the medication period, pay attention to observing the efficacy and side effects of the drug. If the symptoms do not improve or new discomforts occur, inform the doctor in a timely manner.
(3) Dietary adjustment
During the treatment of wisdom teeth, reasonable dietary adjustments are also very important for accelerating recovery. It is necessary to avoid eating spicy and irritating foods, such as chili peppers, Sichuan pepper, ginger, etc. These foods can irritate the gums, aggravate inflammation and pain. At the same time, it is also necessary to eat less hard and rough foods, such as nuts and fried foods, to avoid damaging the tissues around the wisdom teeth when chewing. It is recommended to choose light and easily digestible foods, such as rice porridge, noodles, egg custard, vegetable puree, etc. Eating more foods rich in vitamins and proteins, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meat, fish, etc., can help enhance the body’s resistance and promote wound healing. In addition, it is important to maintain adequate water intake, drinking at least 1,500 to 2,000 milliliters of water every day to boost metabolism and help eliminate toxins from the body.
(4) Oral hygiene maintenance
Good oral hygiene is the key to preventing and treating wisdom tooth problems. During the period of wisdom tooth inflammation, it is even more important to pay attention to oral hygiene. In addition to rinsing your mouth with warm salt water, you should also brush your teeth correctly. Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush and use the bass brushing method. Brush your teeth once in the morning and once in the evening every day. Each brushing session should last no less than 3 minutes to ensure that every surface of your teeth is cleaned. When brushing your teeth, pay special attention to the gums around your wisdom teeth. The movements should be gentle to avoid damaging the already inflamed tissues. In addition, dental floss or interdental brushes can be used to clean food debris between teeth to reduce bacterial growth. If the gums around the wisdom teeth are severely swollen and it is difficult to brush teeth, you can temporarily use mouthwash as a substitute. However, mouthwash cannot completely replace brushing teeth. After the inflammation subsides, you still need to resume your normal brushing habit.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction and Postoperative Care
(1) Timing selection for removal
When wisdom teeth are repeatedly inflamed, severely impacted, or cause lesions in adjacent teeth, extracting wisdom teeth is a relatively thorough treatment method. However, wisdom teeth cannot be extracted at all times; it is necessary to choose the appropriate time. Generally speaking, it is necessary to wait until the inflammation of wisdom teeth subsides before performing the extraction surgery to avoid the spread of infection caused by tooth extraction during the acute stage of inflammation. Female patients should avoid the menstrual period and pregnancy period, as the blood coagulation function of a woman’s body changes during menstruation, and tooth extraction can easily lead to excessive bleeding. Tooth extraction during pregnancy may have adverse effects on the fetus. In addition, if the patient has systemic diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, etc., the tooth extraction surgery can only be performed after the condition is under stable control and with the doctor’s assessment and approval. Before tooth extraction, patients should truthfully inform the doctor of their medical history and allergy history so that the doctor can formulate a safe treatment plan.
(2) Tooth extraction surgery process
Tooth extraction surgery is a rather complex operation and needs to be carried out under local anesthesia. The doctor will first disinfect the mouth and then inject anesthetic drugs to make the area where the tooth is extracted lose the sense of pain. After the anesthesia takes effect, the doctor will use professional tooth extraction instruments, such as dental forceps and braces, to loosen and extract the wisdom teeth from the alveolar socket. For impacted wisdom teeth, it may be necessary to incise the gums and remove part of the alveolar bone in order to successfully extract the wisdom teeth. Throughout the entire surgical procedure, the patient may feel some pulling and shaking, but there will be no obvious pain. The operation time depends on the complexity of the wisdom tooth. Generally, a simple wisdom tooth extraction may take 10 to 30 minutes, while a complex impacted wisdom tooth extraction may require 1 to 2 hours or even longer.
(3) Postoperative wound treatment
After tooth extraction, the doctor will place a sterile cotton ball or gauze at the extraction site for the patient to bite tightly to apply pressure and stop the bleeding. It usually needs to be bitten tightly for 30 to 40 minutes and then gently spat out. Be careful not to remove the cotton ball or gauze too early, otherwise it may cause continuous bleeding. Also, do not bite the cotton ball or gauze hard to avoid damaging the wound. Do not rinse your mouth or brush your teeth within 24 hours after tooth extraction to avoid an increase in negative pressure in the mouth, which may cause the blood clot in the extraction site to fall off, leading to bleeding or dry socket syndrome (a common complication after tooth extraction, characterized by severe pain in the extraction site and bad breath, etc.). After 24 hours, you can start rinsing your mouth gently with warm salt water to keep it clean, but avoid straining your mouth. Within 2 to 3 days after the operation, there may be a small amount of bleeding from the tooth extraction site. It is normal for there to be blood streaks in the saliva. If the bleeding is heavy and bright red, medical attention should be sought promptly.
(4) Postoperative diet and rest
The diet after tooth extraction also requires special attention. Do not eat within two hours after tooth extraction. After two hours, you can have some warm, cool and soft foods, such as ice cream, cold milk and thin porridge. Ice cream can have the effect of local cold compress, reducing swelling and pain. Warm and cool food will not irritate the tooth extraction wound and avoid causing bleeding. Within 1 to 2 days after tooth extraction, one should avoid eating overly hot, hard, spicy or irritating foods. It is better to choose liquid or semi-liquid foods. Starting from the third day, you can gradually transition to soft food, but still avoid chewing on the side where the tooth was extracted. In addition, after tooth extraction, it is important to rest well, ensure adequate sleep, and avoid strenuous exercise and overwork. Vigorous exercise may cause an increase in blood pressure and lead to bleeding at the tooth extraction wound. Excessive fatigue can reduce the body’s resistance and affect wound healing. After the operation, you can do some light activities appropriately, such as taking a walk, but avoid prolonged lowering your head or bending over to prevent head congestion and aggravation of swelling.
(5) Management of postoperative pain and swelling
After tooth extraction, the wound may experience pain and swelling, which is a normal physiological reaction. Generally speaking, the pain is more obvious within 1 to 2 days after the operation and gradually eases after 3 to 5 days. Swelling peaks 1 to 3 days after the operation and then gradually subsides. To relieve pain and swelling, local cold compress can be applied within 24 hours after the operation. Apply an ice pack or cold towel to the face on the side where the tooth was extracted for 15 to 20 minutes each time, with an interval of 1 to 2 hours. Cold compress can concoct blood vessels, reduce bleeding and swelling, and at the same time lower the sensitivity of nerve endings and relieve pain. After 24 hours, switch to hot compress. Apply a hot towel or hot water bag to your face for 15 to 20 minutes each time, 3 to 4 times a day. Hot compress can promote blood circulation, accelerate the absorption of inflammation and the reduction of swelling. If the pain is severe and affects sleep and daily life, you can take painkillers as advised by your doctor. However, it should be noted that painkillers should not be taken in excessive amounts to avoid adverse reactions.
(6) Postoperative follow-up and suture removal
After tooth extraction, patients need to follow the doctor’s instructions and attend follow-up appointments on time. Generally, a follow-up visit is made 3 to 5 days after the operation. The doctor will check the healing of the tooth extraction wound to see if there are any complications such as infection or bleeding. If any problems are found, they will be dealt with promptly. For patients with sutured wounds, the stitches are usually removed 7 to 10 days after the operation. Before removing the stitches, keep your mouth clean to avoid infection at the suture site. After the stitches are removed, the wound from the tooth extraction still needs some time to heal completely. During this period, it is still necessary to pay attention to oral hygiene and avoid licking or sucking the wound with the tongue to prevent affecting the healing process.
Preventing the occurrence of wisdom tooth Problems
In addition to treatment, it is also very important to prevent the occurrence of wisdom tooth problems. First of all, it is necessary to maintain good oral hygiene habits. Brush your teeth correctly in the morning and evening every day, clean your teeth with dental floss or interdental brushes, and rinse your mouth promptly after meals to reduce the residue of food in your mouth. Secondly, have regular oral check-ups. It is recommended to have a comprehensive oral examination every six months to a year. Through oral examinations, dentists can promptly detect the growth of wisdom teeth, assess whether there are potential problems, and provide corresponding suggestions and guidance. If there is a tendency of impacted wisdom teeth or other abnormalities, some intervention measures can be taken in the early stage, such as preventive extraction, to avoid serious inflammation and complications in the later stage. In addition, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, having a balanced diet, exercising regularly and enhancing the body’s resistance can also help prevent the occurrence of wisdom tooth problems.
Conclusion
In conclusion, wisdom teeth often cause a variety of problems due to insufficient jaw space for normal growth, such as impaction, inflammation, and damage to adjacent teeth. When wisdom tooth issues arise, seeking immediate medical diagnosis is crucial. Treatment options range from conservative methods like local flushing, drug therapy, dietary adjustment, and maintaining oral hygiene during mild inflammation to wisdom tooth extraction when the situation is severe. After extraction, proper postoperative care, including wound treatment, dietary adjustments, pain and swelling management, and follow – up appointments, is essential for recovery. Moreover, preventing wisdom tooth problems through good oral hygiene, regular dental check – ups, and a healthy lifestyle is equally important. By understanding these aspects and taking appropriate measures, we can better deal with wisdom tooth problems and maintain oral health.
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