Wisdom Tooth Removal

What Are Wisdom Teeth:

No one wants a toothache. So what causes wisdom tooth pain? The wisdom tooth develops in your mouth, and they usually are not painful. However, if you think your wisdom teeth are ready to come through, you can start to feel the teeth coming through your gums.

Some people say their wisdom teeth feel as if they are coming through, but they aren't entirely through yet. Most adults have four wisdom teeth: the third and last molars located at the back of your mouth on each side and found both on the upper and lower side of the jaw.

These little bad boys are the last of your adult teeth to grow. Some people are fortunate and have no wisdom tooth development at all! They tend to develop between your late teens and early twenties but vary.

Wisdom usually grows without problems unless they have insufficient space to grow properly and becomes impacted. So now, why are they called wisdom teeth? Well, it's because they grow when you are supposedly wiser and no longer a child! This was a term created in the 1600s.

 

Why do we have Wisdom teeth?

One of the most common questions we get asked in the clinic is why we even have wisdom teeth? Many years ago, our ancestors ate foods that were a lot harder than what we are used to today.

They needed these teeth to be able to support their diets. Today, where humans are more used to a softer diet, these teeth have sort of become obsolete.

 

Wisdom Teeth Grow In

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to grow. When teeth grow in, they can become impacted.

Impacted wisdom teeth are one of the most common dental issues that people experience today. A wisdom tooth that is not positioned properly can cause pain, inflammation, swelling, and other complications.

A person may have it when they are 12-30 years old. Sometimes what can happen is that these wisdom teeth will not be able to fully come through the gum line. Because there is not enough space for them to do so or they have an unusual shape so they cannot break through the bone or gum line without causing damage to tissues around them.

 

Symptoms of Wisdom Teeth?

A wisdom tooth may not always cause problems. But if they do, it is usually because blood vessels are getting pinched or the tooth is impacted.

Symptoms may include:

- Pain in the jaw that won’t go away
- Swelling around the area
- Unwanted chewing of one side of the mouth
- Pain when opening and closing your jaw

- Limitation in mouth opening

 

What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth are also called impacted third molars. These wisdom teeth have not come out through the gum line, so they cannot be seen with your naked eye. They may cause infection and other issues for the patient.

 

Erupted wisdom teeth

One thing we're really familiar with (unfortunately) is the discomfort and the pain that comes with wisdom teeth, such as erupting. Erupting wisdom teeth can hurt for a few reasons. Sometimes there is not enough room for the teeth to grow, causing them to push on your existing teeth.

 

Infected wisdom teeth

When a wisdom tooth is infected, it’s important to get prompt treatment, as infection can spread to other parts of the body. During your appointment, the dentist will clean the area surrounding the tooth to clear away food debris and bacteria, and then prescribe a course of oral antibiotics.

They can also hurt if the tooth is growing sideways, and hence the gum can become swollen and infected. Wisdom teeth growing through can cause discomfort for a couple of weeks, but it really varies between each person, and because they grow at different times. 

There are some great products for discomfort such as bonjela gel and ibuprofen. Anything with severe discomfort is highly recommended to see your dental professional and discuss appropriate treatment.

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Healthy Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom is fully grown teeth in the maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower jaw). If upper and lower jaws have enough space for wisdom teeth to grow, and also if they erupted and seated align with the rest of the teeth and have great contact between the upper and lower, then wisdom teeth can work and consider a healthy and normal tooth.

Other Dental Problems

 

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop in the mouth, and that means they are likely to cause problems for months to come.
Frequent cavities, infections, and gum disease. At the back of the mouth are some dental issues that can come from having wisdom teeth.

 

Wisdom Teeth - To extract or to leave in?

Removing impacted wisdom teeth. The only person who can really answer this is your dentist. Some people have enough room in their jaws to be able to accommodate the teeth of wisdom.
Those people who don’t should have them taken out (wisdom tooth extraction) as they will impact the adjacent teeth and cause you all sorts of problems.

 

Wisdom Tooth Removal Surgery

One of the most common procedures performed by a dentist is called “tooth extraction” or wisdom teeth removal surgery. Remember, no need to take all four out. A Panoramic dental x-ray or CT scan will show your dentist which one might be growing sideways and which ones will cause you problems.
Your dentist will also tell you if they can be taken out in a chair or if a hospital visit is best. Some teeth are a little more complex than others, which means for your comfort, it may be best to go to the hospital and have a general anaesthetic.
If your dentist says they can extract the tooth either in a chair under local numbing or in a hospital when it comes down to personal preference. Wisdom tooth removal surgery is one of the common dental surgeries.

 

Wisdom tooth Surgery, Recovery advice

You’re one brave patient and have had your wisdom taken out, now what? Recovery time can be uncomfortable for the first couple of days as the teeth are quite large and are deep, so they usually require stitches. It’s normal to notice swelling and a bit of blood too.
Your dentist will provide pain relief that will help ease this and also provide you with a post-care treatment plan that you must follow to allow for a smooth recovery.
A soft diet is also recommended for the first couple of days. The mouth is the fastest healing body part, so recovery should be relatively quick when compared to the procedure. 

If you’re concerned about your wisdom teeth removal or are experiencing any pain or discomfort, please go see your dentist, as they can discuss what your options are. Or contact the perfect dental office.