How to Take Good Care of Your Wisdom Tooth: A Guide to Dental Hygiene

The wisdom tooth has emerged as a necessary evil in the present population of young adults. Adapting to changing food patterns, lifestyles, and climates, evolution is slowly eradicating our third molars, otherwise called the wisdom teeth. Most of us have it unerupted or oddly erupted (impacted), which eventually snowballs into a painful infection. 

Honestly, modern science says that it is not so wise to hold on to the wisdom tooth for long! Good oral care and timely wisdom teeth removal can prevent this painful hazard. Let us discuss more about caring for wisdom teeth in the best possible way.

Caring for Wisdom Teeth the Right Way

Wisdom tooth extractions have become as routine as tooth cleanings these days. Dentists tend to warn you early about these impacted trouble-makers, and eventually advise wisdom teeth removal. 

Here are some of the best ways to skip wisdom tooth-related pain, which may come in super handy for you:

• Routine Dental Checkup

The only way to avoid a wisdom toothache and painful tooth extractions thereafter is to be well-informed about it from the very beginning. This can happen when you get your dental checkups done on time. 

The dentist will clinically examine the area of the third molar, take intra-oral or panoramic X-rays to visualize the molar correctly, and then advise on the best course of action. A painful wisdom tooth can be due to two reasons:

• Gum infection around the wisdom tooth,  called pericoronitis

• Decayed wisdom tooth 

For momentary relief of gum swelling and tooth sensitivity near the molar, the dental hygienist may do professional teeth cleaning. You will be advised about wisdom tooth extractions in the follow-up procedure.

• Proper Oral Care

At home, if your brushing and flossing routine is spot-on then there is nothing to fear from a wisdom toothache. Brush twice daily (definitely at bedtime) and use dental floss or a water flosser to clean the residual food stuck in between the teeth. Follow this up with an antibacterial mouthwash.

It's important to note that the third molars are too far back in the mouth and can be difficult to access for good oral care.  Here are a few tips for caring for wisdom teeth:

• Use a toothbrush with a small head. Both manual and powered toothbrushes are just fine.

• The toothbrush should have an ergonomic handle so you can maneuver it correctly.

• Use a water flosser first to dislodge the food residues stuck behind

• Try using dental floss with a threader for ease of use

• Swish the mouthwash for a good 30 seconds to one minute to thoroughly clean the tooth

Another quick tip would be to remind you to rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after anything you eat or drink throughout the day. 

• Avoid Sugars and Fizzy Drinks

This proper oral care tip is not for wisdom teeth in particular. It is for your overall health! Sugars are sticky and leave residues that break down into acids in the mouth. Fizzy drinks are also loaded with sugars and acids that can catalyze gum infections around the third molar and decay the tooth. 

• Avoid Using Toothpicks or Nails Mindlessly

A common reason for a sudden toothache in the wisdom tooth area is a traumatic ulcer caused by self-harm. Using a toothpick or fingernails to randomly pick out a food fiber stuck near the wisdom tooth can bruise your surrounding gums. 

Traumatic ulcers are severely painful and take 7-10 days to heal. So always switch to brushing and a water flosser to clean the teeth. 

Conclusion

Wisdom teeth removal in Dundas is not painful but a pain-relieving process. The toothache of an infected third molar is usually severe, radiating into a headache and earache. As the best dental clinic in Dundas, we would prioritize precaution over cure. Routinely caring for wisdom teeth is the best way to achieve that. Be it wisdom tooth removal or simple dental extractions in Dundas, ON, they are all taken care of by our expert surgical hands.