The wisdom teeth, also called third molars, typically begin to erupt in a person’s late teen years or their early twenties, and they can cause a host of oral health problems if they do not have enough room in their mouth to accommodate them. Many patients report chronic pain in their teeth, jaws, head, or neck, and these and other complications often make extracting these molars necessary.
While it’s common for the wisdom teeth to be removed in a person’s early twenties, older adults can sometimes benefit from having them extracted as well. Here’s what the wisdom tooth extraction process looks like for those who kept their third molars for a few decades.
How Can Wisdom Tooth Removal Benefit Patients Over Fifty?
Those with sufficiently large jawbones may never need to have their wisdom teeth removed, and some people may keep their third molars for many years. However, wisdom teeth can sometimes cause oral health problems later in life since they are harder to clean due to their being so far back in the mouth. Since it can be difficult to brush and floss them sufficiently, they may break down over decades of use and eventually become severely infected. In cases like these, it may be necessary to remove them.
Your dentist may also recommend wisdom tooth extraction if:
- Your third molars are damaging your other teeth.
- Your teeth are shifting and your third molars are causing overcrowding.
- Your third molars are at risk of developing abscesses
- A cyst has formed around the base of your wisdom tooth.
What Is the Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure Like?
The wisdom tooth extraction process always begins with the patient receiving an appropriate anesthetic treatment to ensure that they feel no pain, and they will probably receive a sedation treatment to help them remain still and calm. For a simple extraction, the oral surgeon will use a device called an elevator to lift the tooth from the gum before gently working it loose from its connective tissue with forceps.
Surgical extractions, however, will require incisions to be made in the gum tissue, and the procedure will be even more intensive if the tooth being removed is embedded in the jawbone. Once the tooth is removed, the oral surgeon will close the wound with stiches and place a gauze over the surgical site. If the patient receives sedation, they will probably need to arrange for a trusted individual to drive them to and from the office and observe them while the sedative wears off.
What Is Recovering from Wisdom Tooth Extraction Like for People Over Fifty?
The tissues of older people are not as malleable as those of younger people, so recovering after a wisdom tooth extraction can take longer and may be less comfortable for those over fifty. However, the patient will receive aftercare instructions to help them keep their healing process smooth. These will include sticking to a soft, mild diet, gently practicing excellent oral hygiene, and refraining from spitting or drinking through a straw to prevent dry socket.
About the Author
Dr. J. Darrell Steele graduated from Baylor College of Dentistry and completed an oral and maxillofacial surgery residency. He is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association and the Texas Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. His office in Coppell offers dental implants, cosmetic treatments, and oral surgical procedures such as extractions. If you suspect that your wisdom teeth must be removed, contact his office online or dial (972) 315-3355.
