Explorations

Wisdom Teeth

My oral surgeon has bravely come out and admitted his sadistic tendencies! Having just been told with a relish that my bones, muscles, tendons, fat and skin had all been cut in the process of extracting all four of my wisdom teeth, and that I should keep brushing 10 times a day despite the pain, I felt that sense of victory brought by that little voice inside saying "I told you so."!

Of course, I really have a great deal to be thankful for. My recovery ahs been smooth and the pain limited. Those around me also have cause for gratitude, since I find talking painful and they can finally removed the earplugs that peopl who have known me for more than six months soon take to wearing. So I have decided to begin fulfilling my new years' resolution of keeping my blog up to date. Apart from the facts re: wisdom teeth extraction I have also been musing about pain (surprisingly) and healthcare

I've discovered that there are three kinds of teeth: incisors, canines and molars. On each side of the top and bottom jaw there are 2 molars. In the late teens or early twenties, "third molars" emerge. THese are known as 'wisdom teeth'. If they do not emerge properly, they are described as 'impacted'. Sometimes this can be because they are growing horizontally or at an angle, which causes them to press on other teeth and gums. It can also be because they remain encased in the bones or gums. My dentist recommended me for an x-ray after a routine check-up and then sent me to an oral surgeon to ha ve it examined. ALthough he couldn't tell from the x-ray, as soon as he looked in my mouth he informed me that all four were impacted and would have to be removed.

As with most people, the reason for this was simply that my teeth are too big and my jaw too small. My jaw must be tiny teeny...coz I've already had 4 teeth extracted for overcrowding...bringing my grand total to 8! The theories that i've heard as to why there is so much overcrowding around: that Caucasions have smaller jaws, and that our diet these days is soft and easy on the teeth so that they are not worn down, nor are our jaws stretched.

Impacted wisdom teeth can easily become infected because they are difficult to clean, can cause misalignment of other teeth (and no one wants to ahve gone through the pain of braces for nothing!) and can damage the neighbouring teeth.

Ok well...gotta go...sorry if this post is a bit boring....

LOL

posted by Foodfairy @ 6:21 PM