Impacted Wisdom Teeth – Causes and Procedure
Wisdom teeth appear between the ages of 17-25. Evaluation of wisdom teeth is recommended by age 16 to preempt any issues they may cause. While the majority of people have 4 wisdom teeth, some have 1, 2, 3 or none.
Wisdom tooth extraction is a standard procedure, and some dentists decide to remove the teeth before the bones in the mouth harden, and the wisdom teeth cause oral problems.
What can impacted wisdom teeth cause?
Impacted wisdom teeth do not have enough space to break through the gums and develop normally. Impacted wisdom teeth may also be tilted in the jaw or grow in sideways.
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause several symptoms, including:
- Difficulty opening your mouth that comes and goes
- Swollen, inflamed or bleeding gums due to increased sensitivity
- Stiffness in the jaw
- Bad breath due to debris getting trapped in the gum crevices
- Difficulty eating due to discomfort
- Infection
- A cyst that forms around the tooth
- Crooked teeth because they come in at an angle
Your dentist will give you instructions to help you manage your discomfort</a after the procedure. They include:
- Limiting of strenuous activity for the first few days after your procedure
- Consuming a soft food diet while excluding hard, sweet, and spicy food to prevent irritation of your dental implant site
- Using ice packs to minimise swelling and discomfort
- Avoiding tobacco products and alcohol to let your site heal
- Taking anti-inflammatory medications
What does the extraction procedure involve?
Impacted wisdom teeth extraction is a standard procedure that is performed either by a dentist under local or general anaesthetic.
At Dentistry on Solent, we also offer conscious sedation to ensure the comfort of our anxious or nervous patients.
The length of time the extraction takes depends on the position of the tooth, the number of teeth and the difficulty of the surgery.
Do wisdom teeth need to be removed?
While the majority of people have their wisdom teeth removed, it may be unnecessary if they are not impacted wisdom teeth and causing you any oral health problems. However, since they are so far back in your mouth, it is more challenging to keep them clean and decay-free.
Schedule regular check-ups
Visiting your dentist every six months can help keep your mouth healthy and your smile beautiful. It also enables your dentist to identify any issues before they become a problem.
While regular dental visits can help monitor the growth of your wisdom teeth, it is still a good idea to be mindful of the symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth. To book your check-up, please call our practice on (02) 9158 6137.
