What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are your third molars that come in at the very back of your mouth. They are the last tooth to develop and grow into your mouth, usually coming in at ages 17 to 21. Most people have four wisdom teeth and a full adult dentition, including wisdom teeth, is 32 teeth. If you have enough room in your mouth, your wisdom teeth may erupt in proper alignment and cause no issues. However, this is often not the case.

When are wisdom teeth a problem?

It is common to have inadequate room in your mouth for wisdom teeth to erupt. Often, they are impacted in the jawbone and could be tipped or angled in various ways. If they are tipped and applying pressure to your other molars, they cause damage. In some cases, the wisdom teeth and the molars that were damaged need to be removed. While you do not need your wisdom teeth for function or chewing, your other molars are important and should be preserved.

Wisdom teeth can also be partially erupted, which is when part of the tooth remains under the gum and part above. This creates a very difficult area to clean and traps food and bacteria, leading to gum inflammation or decay.

Are your wisdom teeth a problem?

When going for regular dental care, your wisdom teeth may be addressed before you run into any issues. Impacted wisdom teeth are often picked up with routine x-rays. It is best to have them removed before any issues arise ensuring the quickest and most comfortable recovery. If your wisdom teeth are impacted or partially erupted, you could develop an infection or cyst. This is very painful, and antibiotics are needed to fight the infection. If you are having any issues with pain in your jaw, inflammation or bleeding around your wisdom teeth, you should see a dentist.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction Process

First, a full “smile” or panoramic x-ray will be taken to show your whole jaw and placement of all your wisdom teeth.
The procedure is done under local anesthetic, and there are sedation options available to you if needed. Recovery time is usually just a couple of days, and if you follow the after-care instructions, any complications are rare.
For a few days after the procedure, it is recommended to avoid drinking through a straw and to avoid smoking. These “sucking” actions could cause the blood clots to dislodge from the extraction sites, and the clotting is important to proper healing. Softer foods are recommended for the first few days following the extractions. You should continue with regular brushing and flossing making sure to be cautious when brushing near extraction sites.

If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort and think it could be related to your wisdom teeth, please contact us today.