What To Expect for Wisdom Tooth Removal?

A wisdom tooth is an extra tooth that erupts through the gums in adulthood. It is more commonly seen in people between the ages of 17 and 25. Wisdom teeth often erupt in young adults when the rest of the teeth have already fully developed.

What Is Wisdom Teeth Removal?

When patients are not born with enough room in their mouths for all of their teeth, they may need their wisdom teeth removed. This is sometimes needed during late adolescence or young adulthood when the wisdom teeth start to come in and cause problems for the patient’s oral health. The dentist may recommend wisdom teeth removal if a patient is experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Pain in the back of the mouth near the molars when they bite down to eat or yawn
• Gums that are sore or bleeding near the wisdom teeth
• A bad taste in the mouth due to a buildup of bacteria from food particles and food trapped below the gum line
• An infection of the gums around the new teeth
• Teeth that are misaligned in the jaw and don’t come in straight at the right angles
• Bad breath that doesn’t get better with regular brushing and flossing
• Sleep apnea due to blockage caused by the new teeth
• Cysts or tumors around the new teeth that are caused by an infection

These symptoms are often a sign that the wisdom teeth are unable to erupt through the gums properly because they are blocked by other teeth or by not have enough room to erupt perfectly. Your dentist will be able to recommend whether or not your wisdom teeth should be removed after an examination.

When Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Needed?

A dentist may recommend removing your wisdom teeth if they become impacted or infected or if they’re not coming in properly and may cause crowding of your teeth or jaw issues. You may also want your wisdom teeth removed if they’re causing you pain while eating or chewing.

Impacted wisdom teeth occur when the teeth don’t break through the gum line or they only partially break through. This can cause pressure to be placed on the roots of the adjacent teeth and the jawbone. It can also result in infection of the gums, which can be very painful and dangerous if left untreated. If your wisdom teeth are impacted, your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon to have them removed.

Your third molars can also come in crooked. If your wisdom teeth are misaligned, they may become trapped in your gums when attempting to erupt. This can lead to pain in the jaw, swelling in the gums, difficulty opening your mouth or even cysts or tumors in the mouth. These can also cause decay to the neighboring teeth. For these reasons, it’s important that your wisdom teeth are removed before they have a chance to cause these problems.

How Is the Procedure Performed?

Your oral surgeon will use local anesthesia to numb the area where the tooth will be removed. The tooth may be removed in pieces or pulled out whole. After the tooth is removed, sutures will be put in place to help speed up the healing process. Some bleeding and discomfort may follow immediately after the procedure but should go away after a couple of days. To help manage any discomfort, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics and pain medicine.

Schedule an appointment with Del Mar Family Dental Care and Orthodontics for the most comfortable dental care. Walk into 797 Peoria St. Unit A, Aurora, CO 80011. Contact us at (303) 577-0062 or visit our website to book an appointment with us.