Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. Sometimes these teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly aligned, but more often, they are misaligned and require removal. The removal of wisdom teeth is one of the most surgical procedures carried out in the UK.

Wisdom teeth that come in crooked can also lead to painful crowding and disease. Having teeth removed before the age of 20 have less developed roots and fewer complications.

Problems with wisdom teeth primarily include pain and discomfort, infections, gum disease and tooth decay. Some of these are due to the difficulty brushing so far back in the mouth. Other serious effects of impacted wisdom teeth occur when cysts form below the teeth. These cysts can cause loss of bone in the jaw, and put pressure on the jaw’s nerves.

Why do we need to remove Wisdom Teeth?

Often, when your wisdom teeth come through, they can either grow perfectly in your mouth without disrupting the position of your existing teeth, or they can cause you a lot of pain and can push other teeth out of place, which causes extreme discomfort.

Dentists often prefer to remove wisdom teeth when patients are in their late teens or early 20s, before they can cause problems. At this time, wisdom teeth’s roots have not solidified in the jaw bone, and are easier to remove than in older patients. Removing wisdom teeth when you are slightly older can carry a slightly higher risk of damage to a major nerve in the jaw. Younger patients often recover from sedation faster than those who are older.

Younger people wearing braces, often have their wisdom teeth removed at the end of their treatment. This is because emerging wisdom teeth can alter tooth alignment once they have been straightened.

Although it’s not necessary for you to get your wisdom teeth removed if they are correctly positioned in your mouth and do not cause you any pain or dental problems.

How to deal with pain caused by Wisdom Teeth

If your wisdom teeth are coming through or you’ve just had them extracted and they’re causing you pain and distress, it’s recommended to;

Rinse your mouth out with warm water with a tea spoon of salt for about 30 to 60 seconds before spitting it out.
Dental numbing gel
Ibuprofen (2 tablets maximum within 3-4 hours) but please consult your doctor first if you are on other medication
An ice pack on swollen area
Eating onions has also been proven to prevent pain.

It’s important to remember that swelling and stiffness in your jaw after your extraction can take up to a week to be completely healed, depending on how badly the wisdom teeth were impacted.

If you’re experiencing difficulties with your Wisdom teeth, contact us today at Mark Tangri Dental