Wisdom teeth the ins and outs!
Wisdom teeth! Not perhaps the most sexy topic but if you have wisdom teeth that are giving you pain, its information you'll need to know.
In Wisdom teeth notes for the wise, you will find the reasons for wisdom teeth surgery, symptoms of wisdom tooth infection, what to do if you get a wisdom tooth infection, things to do before you have a wisdom tooth extraction, what to eat and what not to eat after wisdom teeth surgery, a few "wise" quotes, dry socket and useful links to other wisdom tooth sites to help and inform you.
I never used to give wisdom teeth any thought at all, I mean why would you. I had 2 wisdom teeth out uneventfully in my early 20's and the others stayed dormant...until recently and that was a different story!!
Now one thing that is very important is that everyones wisdom teeth extraction operation experiences are different and valid.
I intended here to pull together some information and useful resources to help you if you are suffering with or just curious about your wisdom teeth.
Wishing you well
jasmine ann
Why are they called "wisdom teeth"?
A definition of why we call them "wisdom teeth"
Take a look at this entry from the Online Etymology dictionary;
Wisdom teeth so called from 1848 (earlier teeth of wisdom, 1668), a loan-translation of L. dentes sapientiae, itself a loan-transl. of Gk. sophronisteres (used by Hippocrates, from sophron "prudent, self-controlled"), so called because they usually appear ages 17-25, when a person reaches adulthood.
Disclaimer
The information here is no substitute for medical diagnosis and guidance from you r dentist and oral surgeon. Consult a physician and or you r dentist/oral surgeon in all matters relating to dental health, particularly concerning any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. Never disregard medical advice, or delay or change treatment because of something you have read here. For assistance with dental pain, or any other medical condition, always consult a qualified healthcare professional. You health is your responsibility.
Books to read about your wizzies...and other teeth!
Not just for Dentists. For when you want to learn a little more about all things teeth :)
Understanding Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Amazon Price: $19.50 (as of 11/12/2009) 
Your Child's Dental Health : Womb to Wisdom Teeth
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 11/12/2009)
Impacted Wisdom Tooth
Amazon Price: (as of 11/12/2009)
What are the reasons for wisdom tooth removal?
Why extract a wisdom tooth?
Your dentist will be the best person to advise you on any issues and the most relevant course of action for you and your circumstances. Here are just a few of the common causes of why wisdom teeth may be removed, but you do need to have an individual and expert opinion to know if that is the correct course of action for you.
If people have had work done to straighten teeth a newly growing wisdom tooth can move the positions of the teeth compromising the work that has been done so sometimes for orthodontic reasons they may be removed.
If the wisdom tooth erupts partially through the gum there may be overcrowding of the jawline and not enough room for the tooth to grow out properley.
Wisdom teeth can be very difficult to clean properly. If food and bacteria can gather around the tooth then infection, pain and/or decay can follow possibly to the wisdom tooth or other neighbouring tooth.
When a wisdom tooth is partially erupted food and bacteria can collect under the gum again causing infection, pain and swelling. Sometimes infections like this are only occasional but may be recurrent and can become more troublesome, frequent and severe, sometimes swelling speading down the face and neck. This is what I had and it was necessary for me to go on antibiotics each time until I had my operation.
Pressure of the wisdom tooth on other teeth and erosion of other neighbouring teeth.
Reasons we have our wizzies out!
What are the most common reasons for wisdom tooth extraction operations?
What are the primary reasons we need to have our wisdom teeth extracted? Of course I may not have covered all the options here. Feel free to add any comment in the Wizzie guestbook at the end of this lens if you like.
If you have a wisdom tooth infection
First aid for your wisdom tooth
Wisdom tooth infections may be characterised by some or many of these symptoms:
pain in the area of the tooth
bleeding of the gum area
swelling, soreness and redness in the gum area swelling
unpleasant taste
mouth odour
pain in the jaw and even pain and swelling down the neck
you may get an abscess when infected pus collects in the gum and may need to have it drained by the dentist
you may have difficulty opening your jaw
swelling of the face
fever and feel generally unwell.
Wisdom tooth infections are not to be messed around with so do go see your dentist. A few first aid measures may help you feel more comfortable before you can get there.
Try rinsing your mouth gently with warm salt water, hold it around the area of the wisdom tooth so its more of a salt bath for your tooth.
Take over the counter painkillers to help with pain.
Try to keep your teeth and mouth clean as possible, brushing and rinsing with salt water after each meal.
Then get to the dentist or if you can't do that your doctor. You may need antibiotics to clear the infection.
If the tooth is coming through normally and you only have a few infections or a one off it may just be sorted with antibiotics and your dentist will advise you.
If you have repeated infections and /or the tooth is not coming through properley you may need to consider extraction.
Great Stuff on eBay all about teeth
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The Age We Have Our Wizzies Out
What age were you when you had a wisdom tooth extraction?
As most wisdom teeth are supposed to come through in early adulthood just wondering for those of us who had them out when they caused us problems.
Feel free to add any additional comments in the Wizzie guestbook at the end of this lens.
Things to do before you have your wisdom tooth operation
How to prepare for your wisdom tooth surgery
If you can arrange for someone to be with you for at least 24 hours, preferably longer up to a few days after the wisdom tooth extraction, that would be wise.
Stock up on great DVD's, books, magazines anything you can do while resting up for a few days.
Go buy all the "soft" foods you like to keep you going for a little while.
Make sure you have plenty of salt in the house, you will need it for warm salt mouth rinses.
Buy a couple of new toothbrushes. As I had trouble opening my jaw initially I found the soft small headed ones better but it is a personal choice.
Do all the necessary household chores you will not feel like doing soon after an operation-so if the beds need changing, the bins need taking out, the washing needs doing, best to get it all sorted before you have your operation.
If you have dogs, horses or other pets that will need walking or attention do have someone available to help you out with their care for a few days.
If you have children and can organise for someone to take care of them or be around in the home as well as you to keep an eye on them that may be a good idea as you dont know how you will feel after the wisdom tooth operation.
Make a list of any and all questions you may have about the post operative care of your wisdom tooth extraction site and general wellbeing. You should be given a sheet of post operative care instructions but just in case you need to ask anything.
On the day of your wisdom tooth operation take a means of payment with you as you may have to pay for presciptions to take away with you.
Ten Tips:What To Do After A Wisdom Tooth Extraction Operation.
After a wisdom tooth extraction-your post operative care.
You may be given different instruction if you have certain medical conditions or are taking medications. It may also depend upon whether you have a local anaesthetic, sedation or general anaesthetic.
You should be given a sheet of information before you leave the hospital detailing what you should do. However some guidelines:
1.Probably best if you arrange to have someone with you for at least 24 hours after the wisdom tooth operation. You may not know how you react to any pain medications they give you.
If you had a general anaesthetic or sedation you must have someone to drive to to and from the hospital and to stay with you.
2.For the first 24 hours even if it was easy - REST!
3.Start warm salt mouth gentle rinses after 24 hours(not before as I was told it could disturb the blood clot and you don't want to do that!)
4.You may be given a mouth wash to use as well. Take your oral surgeons advice on that.Dont just buy any one as some may irritate the extraction site.
5.If you are prescribed antibiotics take them regularly and finish the course.
May be a good idea to take a liquid vitamin supplement alongside them as well.
6.For the first 24-48 hours you may use ice on your face if you have swelling(check with your oral surgeon) after that moist heat on your face will be soothing and help to relieve some pain. Either ice or heat should be used 20 mins on and 20 mins off.
NEVER use ICE directly on your skin put it in a towel or buy a proper ice pack and read the instructions carefully.
7. If the dental surgeon say you can brush your teeth normally use a soft small headed toothbrush so even if you cant open your mouth too wide at first you can get the brush in. Be very careful not to disturb the blood clot.
8.If you get swelling you may find it useful to use Arnica Gel or cream(I find gel easier) externally where the swelling and /or bruising occurs.
9. My oral surgeon who did the wisdom tooth extraction, told me to keep my head elevated for the first night so propped up on 3 pillows to help reduce the amount of swelling(check with your oral surgeon for individual advice)
10. Hygiene is very important. keep all mugs and glasses you use very clean, change your pillow cases regularly.
Painkillers For Wisdom Teeth?
Discuss Wisdom Teeth Pain Relief With Your Doctor.
The painkillers you may take will depend on any other meds you are taking, any allergies and any other conditions you may have as well as how complex or straightforward the operation may be, and your own reaction - so it is more individual.
When you go for your initial consultation do ask what the choices of painkillers are and do alert them to any known allergies and any other medication you need to take for any other conditions.
You may also be given antibiotics to take after the extraction, so again do alert them at the consultation to any allergies or reactions to have to any antibiotics.
What To Eat After A Wisdom Tooth Operation...
Foods from my experience or I read are OK to eat after having your wisdom teeth out.
Just take it easy the first few days, pace your eating and little and more often may be better for you than trying to eat a lot in one go.We are all different, just listen to your body, when you feel hungry eat, dont feel you have to stick to mealtimes. You may feel only like eating smaller portions at a time anyway. Below are some suggestions of food that are easy to eat.
Please note: Do not eat anything hot or spicy as this may disturb the blood clot and you do not want to do that. Let all foods cool down before you eat. Probably best to stick to cooler foods the first few days. Ask your surgeon or dentist advice if you are not sure.
Also do not drink through a straw. This may disturb the blood clot and you do not want to do that. I found it best to eat with a small teaspoon at first.
If you have diabetes or any food intolerance/allergies/special diet you will need to be more careful about what you eat at this time, check with your healthcare professional about what is Ok for you if you are unsure.
Ready foods like Complan and Build up come in different flavours eg strawberry, chocolate..( If you take these get lots of fruit as they can make you constipated...in my experience)
Applesauce(with no lumps)
Smoothies, any you like but avoid those with "bits" in them that may get into the socket.
Soup with no lumps(cooled)
If you have a juicer, juice vegetables and fruits so you get your vitamins in liquid form.
Custard(cooled)
Milkshakes (any you like as long as no lumps!)
Mashed potato. you can add more milk to make it as soft as you like. Also for variation try it with butter, natual yoghurt, or a sauce. I found this one of the best foods.
Rice milk
Milk
Very soft pasta. Preferably the smaller varieties.
Tinned pears in juice
Strawberries thinly sliced.
Mashed bananas.
Scrambled eggs, in very small chunks.
Do remember to clean your teeth the best you can and rinse very gently with salt and water after eating.
Follow your surgeons recommendations on rinsing.
I was told not to rinse for the first 24 hours.
Then to rinse GENTLY with warm salt and water (so as not to disturb the blood clot)after each meal.
Toothy Stuff On CafePress!
Have a bit of fun with teeth!!
And What Not To Eat...
What I was advised not to eat after having my wisdom tooth pulled out.
Anything too hot and spicy. You should not eat hot food or spicy food as this may disturb the blood clot and you do not want to do that as there will be risk of dry socket. Do not drink with a straw.
Anything with seeds. You will not want to get anything stuck in the socket and seeds are a real culprit for that!
Anything requiring much chewing. You may find chewing difficult anyway and best to try foods that are easy on you.
Do remember to clean your teeth the best you can and rinse very gently with salt and water after eating.
Follow your surgeons recommendations on when to start rinsing.
I was told not to rinse for the first 24 hours. Then to rinse gently with warm salt and water (so as not to disturb the blood clot)after each meal.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
There are a few ways that the medical profession can make it easier on us to have the wisdom tooth operation. If you have had the operation which way did you choose or have recommended to you ?
Comments about your wisdom tooth operation
If you have had the wisdom tooth operation and would be willing to share your experiences here with anything that may help others I would love to hear from you.
Which one of the methods above did you have and if you had different ones which did you prefer and why?
Did you feel anything in particular helped you in recovery?
I do read all comments prior to publishing.
Alos please note the general guestbook for any other comments is towards the end of this page . Thankyou :)
Terri V wrote
in reply to papawu
Question, I had mine taken out Wed the 20th, and I haven't had too much pain, stiffness, and it kind of feels like my jaws are stapled to my gums, kind of sticking feeling, I had all four out, I am 32. Now, on top of this I got a bad case of acute bronchitis and had to go to the Urgent Care yesterday, per my oral surgeons request. Still not too much pain, mostly discomfort. My question is this: What are the sights supposed to look like after 5 days, a little red, I don't know if mine looks normal or not. Like I said no real pain, the swelling on the outside of my jaws have went down, but I just don't know if the area looks right. I go back on Wed for a one week check up. Just wish I knew that I do not have an infection or anything, it is a bit discolored, more than a day afterward. Could it be like a wet scab? Is that normal? What did yours look like when you had them removed? Just glad I don't ever have to do this again.
Posted May 25, 2009
jasmineann wrote...
I do hope that your remaining wizzie stays nice and quiet papawu. Sadly mine has not!
I have to date had 3 out, the first two in my 20's and frankly they were easy. Came out really quickly and really not painful very much at all. I had a local and felt a bit rough for a day or two then I was fine.
The last one I had out nearly two years ago was not so easy and took a long time to get out and then the recovery was much longer.
I wished I had known more about how to handle it,make it better for myself and what to do /what to eat etc which is why I wrote this page.
I do hope you will not have to have another one out. I do in a month or two and while I am not looking forward to it I did feel more able to talk to the consultant about my concerns and the way the op is to be done. Will still be glad to get it over with though :-)
Posted May 25, 2009
papawu wrote...
I still have one left, but it has not given me any problems yet. Hell, I still have nightmares about the other three I had extracted though. They had all been impacted under the gums and bone and I swear I was in pain for a good 2 months after the surgery. Not something I wish to experience ever again. I'll give you 5 stars for the info and tips, but I would rather not be reminded of this any more.lol.
Posted May 25, 2009
Helpful Websites For Toothy Issues.
Learn more here about your wisdom teeth
- Animated teeth.com
- Provides easy to understand explanations and animations on many aspects of wisdom teeth.
- Wikipedia about wisdom teeth
- Useful information about wisdom teeth in general and surgery.
- British Dental Health Foundation
- Question and answer page on frequently asked queries about wisdom teeth.
- NHS DIRECT UK
- UK site. This page concerns information about wisdom teeth removal.
- Beyond Fear
- Self help resource site based in UK offering self help, support and advice to people who are suffering a dental phobia.
- Dental Wisdom .com
- Patients guide to dental care. Includes a page about wisdom teeth.
- Web MD
- Details, risks and benefits of wisdom teeth removal.
Baby Teeth. Start them young way before they get their wizzies!!
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Small Children Can Floss Bib
Custom products based upon Frank Petronio's photographs of his three-year old daughter flossing her teeth.,
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Baby is the youngest Tooth. He likes to play and is afraid of the dark. He likes you and wants to be your best friend. Do you want to be friends with Baby?
Dry Socket After Wisdom Tooth Operation
I have mentioned dry socket here and thought it needed more explanation.
- Animated Teeth Dry Socket
- A dry socket is a complication which may occur with some tooth extractions. Certainly not everyone will get it. Even though my operation was very complex I did not suffer dry socket. Please do not worry about it but just be aware of it so you can take the necessary action if need be.
In brief it is where the blood clot which forms in the socket becomes dislodged or isn't retained for some reason. This intact blood clot is important as it protects the bony socket and initiates healing. If it is dislodged healing can be delayed.
This link goes into detail about dry socket, symptoms etc. If you think you have a dry socket it is best to contact your surgeon or dental healthcare for advice and treatment sooner than later.
Great Stuff on CafePress about Teeth!!
Toothy matters
Wise Words
So if we are supposed to be wise when we get our wisdom teeth....
"A man begins cutting his wisdom teeth the first time he bites off more than he can chew"
Herb Caen
Wisdom does not necessarily come with age.Sometimes age just shows up all by itself"
Tom Wilson
"Wise men put their trust in ideas and not in circumstances."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk"
Doug Larson
"We are made wise not by the recollection of our past , but by the responsibility for our future"
George Bernard Shaw
"The difference between a smart person and a wise one is that a smart person knows what to say, but a wise person knows whether or not to say it."
Anonymous
"You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions."
Naguib Mahfouz
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Jasmine ann's Lensography
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Come join me here and enjoy! I sincerely hope that you find my lenses useful and that they help you in some way. That alone would make me very happy :) I'm going to have to face it I am addicted to Squidoo!! When I first discovered Squid...
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jasmineann wrote...
Thank you so much for all you kind comments. I do appreciate them :) I have just found out that I will need to have another one of my wisdom teeth out sometime in the next few months.
Posted May 25, 2009
AppalachianCountry wrote...
Wow, this is a great lens. So detailed. Thanks for your hard work.
Posted May 11, 2009
Evelyn_Saenz wrote...
My daughter just had all 4 out at once. Thank you for the food suggestions. My dau. likes potato soup. I add veggies and put it through the blender. She also found that rice could be swallowed whole when mixed with soup (after 4 days).
Posted March 13, 2009
jasmineann wrote...
Hi kalpana, I am so glad that you found this useful and I am wishing you all the best for your wisdom tooth extraction next week.
Posted February 21, 2009
kalpana wrote
I will be undergoing wisdom tooth extraction operation in the next week. This article is really useful for me. Thanks a lot.
Posted February 21, 2009
jasmineann wrote...
Thankyou for your kind comments, i am glad it helped.
I think I may have to have my other lower one out soon as well as it has been playing me up. I see the dentist in Jan so we'll see.
Posted December 16, 2008
a-ha-design wrote...
Great information! I'm planning to have my wisdom teeth removed soon. Thanks for sharing. :)
Posted December 16, 2008
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