Wisdom teeth usually make an appearance during the late teenage years or your early twenties. For some lucky people, they cause no issues at all. However, in many cases, there isn’t enough space to accommodate some or all wisdom teeth, which can lead to a lot of pain and ultimately require removal.
What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars and the last of your permanent teeth to erupt. It’s thought that our ancestors used these extra molars to help grind down their food. In today’s times, these extra teeth are no longer needed - and with our jaws becoming smaller over time, many of us have insufficient space for our wisdom teeth to fully erupt without causing problems.
How do I know if my wisdom teeth are having issues erupting?
For some people, wisdom teeth will erupt with no issues at all. However, for many, some or all of your wisdom teeth may become impacted or infected. This can cause a range of symptoms, including:
- Tenderness or pain in the gums at the back of your mouth
- An aching jaw
- Pain when chewing at the back of your mouth
- Changes in the alignment of your teeth
- Sudden bad breath
When do wisdom teeth need to be removed?
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it’s essential that you visit your dentist. They can perform a thorough examination of your mouth and wisdom teeth and take X-rays to determine if removal is required.
What’s involved in the removal of wisdom teeth?
In most circumstances, wisdom teeth can be removed in the dentist’s chair using local anaesthesia. This is a simpler – and more affordable – option than going under a general anaesthetic in a hospital setting. The whole procedure is quite straightforward, and takes 30-45 minutes for one tooth, or longer if more are needing to be removed. If you are particularly nervous, nitrous oxide (also known as happy gas) or a mild oral sedative can help make you feel more at ease.
How long does recovery take?
Recovery time varies from person to person. For the first few days after removal you’ll need to stick to a soft diet, rest up and take pain relief as directed. After a week, most people start to feel back to normal, however the socket where the wisdom tooth was removed will continue to heal for another couple of weeks.
Regular check-ups are key
Visiting the dentist regularly for check-ups is the best way to monitor the growth of your wisdom teeth, and ensure any issues are addressed before you start to experience pain.
The Dentists @ Belmore have performed hundreds of wisdom teeth removals and offer nitrous oxide sedation to help calm your nerves. To get your wisdom teeth checked out, book in a consultation with our dentists.
