For many people, the emergence of “wisdom teeth” (also known as third molars) can be problematic, especially when these teeth have little room for growth.
Wisdom teeth are the last to appear in the mouth and usually affect people in their late teens to mid-twenties, erupting through the gum line at the either side of the back of the jaw.
When wisdom teeth are healthy and well aligned, there’s generally no need for extraction. However, poorly aligned wisdom teeth can, and often do, result in a number of painful issues…
4 Common Issues Requiring Wisdom Teeth Removal.
1. Pain!
As mentioned earlier, misaligned wisdom teeth can result in pain and aching gums, sometimes so severe they negatively impact the normal everyday function of your mouth.
If you find you’re suffering from uncomfortable to severe pain, it would be a good idea to discuss potential methods of relief and/or wisdom tooth removal with your dentist.
2. Infection
The area towards the back of the mouth can be difficult to clean and often goes neglected when brushing.
When wisdom teeth break through the surface of the gums, at the back of the jaw, built up bacteria can enter the wounds and lead to serious infection.
Signs you have an infection may include:
- Localised pain at the back of the jaw.
- Pain and swelling in the entire jaw, neck and throat.
- Swollen lymph glands.
- Bad breath.
Some may find minor relief from infection by swishing and gargling warm (boiled then cooled) salty water, twice a day.
However, you should always consult your dentist at the first sign of infection to properly evaluate the appropriate treatment for your situation.
3. Cysts
The formation of cysts around your emerging wisdom teeth, if left untreated, can cause damage to the jaw: hollowing out the bone and affecting the integrity of the surrounding teeth and potentially damaging the nerves.
4. Impacted Wisdom Teeth
As wisdom teeth are located at the back of the jaw, where there is little room for growth, some can suffer from teeth that fail to properly erupt through the gum line.
Impacted teeth can be trapped or emerge at a less than ideal angle, pressing against and the neighbouring teeth, leading to further damage.
Impacted wisdom teeth may also lead to infection and strong pain that severely limits the normal everyday function of your mouth.
What to Expect During Wisdom Tooth Removal Surgery
Dependant on your specific situation, wisdom tooth removal can take, on average, 45 minutes to an hour.
Again, depending on your specific situation, your dentist may need to cut through the gum in order to successfully extract the tooth.
In these situations, the dentist will suture your gums, using dissolvable stitches, with the goal of preventing infection and promoting speedy recovery.
During the operation, your mouth will be numbed via aesthetic and, depending on the complexity of the extraction, patients suffering from severe cases may be placed under general anaesthetic.
After Your Surgery
After your surgery, your dentist will prescribe methods and daily practices to help you relieve pain and recover as soon as possible.
While your specific case will require professional advice from your family dentist, common practices often involve:
- Application of an icepack to reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Restriction to soft foods and fluids during your recovery, avoiding the use of straws.
- Pain relief medication.
If you suspect that you or someone in your family is suffering from wisdom tooth pain, please don’t hesitate book your next appointment with a member of our family dentistry team by calling (07) 5665 7189 or by booking online today.
